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Senate questions legality of governor’s unilateral restoration of 80-hour pay period; staff say extra pay may exceed FY2025 ceiling
Summary
Senators pressed legal counsel and the senate fiscal analyst over the Nov. 3 restoration of a 10-hour increase (from 70 to 80 hours) for pay periods, asking whether the governor identified $200,000 or 3% in new revenues as required by law; the fiscal analyst gave cost estimates and members requested a written legal opinion and administration documentation before any retroactive budget amendment.
The Senate spent a large portion of its Dec. 18 session debating whether the governor’s Nov. 3 action to restore pay from 70 to 80 hours per pay period exceeded the FY2025 budget ceiling and complied with statutory notice rules.
Senators heard from Orsay Bermudez, legal counsel, and Mr. Dave de Maison, the Senate’s fiscal analyst, who presented legal and fiscal context for the restoration and highlighted potential procedural gaps. "In the case of $200,000 or 3% or more increase in revenues, the governor shall transmit within 15 days a special budget message to the legislature," said Orsay Bermudez, summarizing Title 1 §7604 and explaining when the 15‑day clock begins. Dave de Maison told members his…
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