Joint Finance Committee approves across-the-board hourly pay floor, adds targeted increases for IT, troopers and health workers

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved a package to provide a minimum $1.55-per-hour pay increase for permanent employees of state agencies and institutions, with additional targeted increases for several job classes and a separate allocation for community colleges.

The motion — introduced by Representative Miller and seconded by Senator Groves — directs funding of $84,411,100 to pay $1.55 per hour per employee, includes $2,305,700 for community colleges (funded as an assumed 5% equivalent), and provides a total package of $177,429,100 across general, dedicated and federal funds. The motion passed the committee by recorded votes: the Senate vote was 8 ayes and 2 nays; the House voted unanimously, giving a committee total reported as 18 ayes and 2 nays.

Why it matters: committee staff and members said the package is intended to balance a cost-of-living floor for all employees with additional market adjustments for designated groups. The funding will be added to maintenance bills and, if the package remains in the final bills, will be part of the FY 2026 base.

Key provisions - A $1.55-per-hour increase for permanent state employees (funding shown as…