[Vision2020] 1% bonus

[Shirley Ringo]

Greetings!

There was a request that information come from a legislator concerning state employee pay.  I offer a brief review of some of the details.  Let me know if you want more information.

I am writing to discuss some legislative actions with regard to university employees and the 1% bonus.  

 

There were hearings at the beginning of the last legislative session to address state employee pay.  (CEC committee)  There was testimony that was truly heart breaking from employees struggling to make ends meet - employees who hadn't had any raise for three years.  

 

The legislature voted a 2% raise for state employees, with an additional 1% to come if tax revenues would support that.

 

There are some issues certainly troublesome to me in this area.  First, there were no definitive discussions over how the 1% was to be distributed - merit or across the board.  My own view is that these employees do not receive fair compensation.  We shouldn't be talking merit until compensation has reached something resembling fair levels.  However, since this wasn't spelled out in the legislation, the Division of Human Resources seems to be making the rules now that the money is available.

 

The universities did not receive general fund money adequate to even pay for the 2% raises.  There was debate on the floor over the fact that student fees would have to be used to help pay these salaries.  (highly questionable use of student fees)  The universities asked the state board for an additional raise in student fees and were refused.  I think it's terrible to burden students with legislators' refusal to fund universities adequately.  However, this whole scenario put additional burden on university budgets that were already strapped.

 

Now, the universities have similarly been given money to fund the 1% that is not adequate to meet the actual cost of it.  This is ridiculous.  I think all employees involved in this should get some kind of raise.  Unfortunately, we're not talking about enough money to make a big difference to them. 



The fact is that higher education has been underfunded for years.  I've been impressed with the loyalty employees show the University of Idaho, but we need to step up, provide better funding, and treat employees with more respect.  I truly think legislators should delay the sunset of the higher sales tax rate until the system of taxation is reviewed and revenue is adequate. 

 

This review comes mostly from my best recollections, although I did discuss some of this with a state official this morning.  If you have further questions, or think my memory may be faulty, let me know.  I'll be glad to research the issue further.

 

Shirley

 

 
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