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Appropriations committee trims proposed statewide pay‑table increase by about $112 million
Summary
In a lengthy debate about recruitment and retention, the committee voted to cut a governor‑requested pay‑table adjustment by $111.8 million, approving targeted priorities for troopers, snowplow drivers and certain health positions later in unit‑level votes.
The Joint Appropriations Committee on Jan. 12 approved a motion to reduce the governor's requested statewide pay‑table adjustment by $111,789,670, after extended debate about turnover, recruitment and the cost of not raising wages.
Representative Virginia Smith moved the reduction; proponents described more targeted investments (troopers, snowplow drivers and nurses) and argued the statewide increase could be revisited later in supplemental requests. Opponents warned that turnover costs and recruitment shortfalls already impose greater expense than a proactive adjustment. Representative Sherwood cited a memo from the Department of Administration and Information suggesting turnover costs exceed the requested increase and noted private‑sector wage growth outpaced state wage growth over the last decade.
Two substitute amendments seeking partial reductions (50% and 75%) were offered and defeated; the full reduction motion carried. Committee members said savings would be allocated selectively in later units for critical roles (transportation and health) and that affected agencies would receive separate consideration during the unit‑by‑unit markup.
The committee adopted the affected unit (3501) as amended and proceeded with related unit votes. Members signaled the issue will be discussed again on the floor and in later agency sessions.
