As of April 8, 2021, both bills have passed where they were introduced and are awaiting full-floor discussions in the other. Ducey is seeking similar permanent raises for troopers and at other agencies in the budget proposal he released on Friday. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. by Jim Small, Arizona Mirror June 23, 2022. This is what our state, where voters are nearly evenly divided by party affiliation, has long asked of us to work together, said Rep. Reginald Bolding of Laveen, the top Democrat in the House. March 10, 2022. KTARs Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives. Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down long-term debts. Jeffrey Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, said the premium pay is sorely needed at the agency that not only patrols state highways but does investigations, runs a crime lab and does many other law enforcement jobs. Their agreement adds $80 million in combined additional funding for Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, bringing their funding boosts in line with additional money already allocated to the University of Arizona. In a letter to agencies explaining the increases, the board said about 7,500 employees are topped out in their current pay range, and the turnover rate exceeds 17%. Its excessive.. After months of trying to craft a budget that could pass with just Republican votes, GOP leaders this week introduced a budget that aimed to peel off a small number of Democrats. Connecticut holds $3.1 billion in its rainy day fund, equal to 15% of annual operating costs the maximum allowed by law. Arizona state officials gave pay raises to 169 government workers without getting the required approval from the Department of Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down long-term debts. WebDeputy Chief Investment Officer. The premium pay started flowing to 17,291 of the states approximately 35,000 workers on Nov. 27. These class-specific raises are in addition to the 3.25% raise and lump-sum payments and will also go into effect July 1, 2022 and be reflected on the July 25 paycheck. 2305. Arizona state officials gave pay raises to 169 government workers without getting the required approval from the Department of The two-term governor, who leaves office in about six months, has made border security a goal throughout his tenure. This proposed contract is a raw deal for the working people of this state, said Sen. Ryan Fazio, R-Greenwich, who noted state workers, on average, would receive more than $10,000 in total added compensation over four years. WebDeputy Chief Investment Officer. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. The cost of living in each state; She says Arizona normally offers 26 weeks of payments; about the same as other states. Average annual pay before overtime for non-supervisors is just over $70,000. May 4, 2022. "Arizona came in second to last. GOP and Democratic leaders agreed to add $526 million in new ongoing funding for K-12 schools, a substantial increase from the GOPs initial proposal. Bipartisan budget boosts school funding, state employee pay raises, transportation. Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 22-13 along party lines to approve the contracts, which cover about 46,000 workers the bulk of the states workforce. In moving to court Democratic votes, GOP leaders lost the votes of some Republicans. Butler and her colleagues worried about capping the states collection at 10% when there is off-the-rails profit coming from the industry, adding that they are concerned about rising gambling addiction rates. TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - On Friday, Jan. 15, Arizona Gov. It is unclear whether Gov. "It really was just a stopgap to start trying to stop people from leaving because all the agencies around us have received considerable pay raises and we were still so far behind," Hawkins said. The Lamont administration, labor leaders and other supporters of the increases have said they believe unions could have gotten even larger raises had they rejected the states offer and gone to arbitration. Ducey is seeking a permanent 15% raise for state troopers, 20% for juvenile and adult corrections employees and pay boosts for several other agencies that total nearly $250 million a year. "Frankly, a majority of this budget does not align with the priorities of Democrats," Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix, said in a statement. It allows state and local governments to boost pay by up to $13 per hour for essential workers and allows a maximum per-employee amount of $25,000. The budget also gives raises to judges throughout the court system, from Superior Court up to Supreme Court, costing about $3 million a year, according to budget documents. That is one provision I am glad to see in here, Rep. Reginald Bolding, D-Phoenix, remarked, adding that Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, had been instrumental in getting the measure, which will allow agencies to request DPS to conduct independent investigations, into the criminal justice portion of the state budget. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. May 4, 2022. "The pandemic has really made it apparent that what you get in terms of unemployment benefits often isn't enough to support you if you're out of work, especially when you think about a national public health crisis," said Rowan. "We werent competitive at that rate," Hawkins said. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. Expanding the court will give RepublicanGov. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. After losing support on the right, House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann had to look elsewhere for votes, and they found them across the aisle. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. The Senate completed action on a bill Thursday evening that will provide pay raises for state employees whose wages are outlined in state code. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. State workers get a 10% pay raise, the first across-the-board pay hike in more than a decade. Thirty states have state versions of the credit. PHOENIX (AP) Arizonas legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down long-term debts. PHOENIX Governor Doug Ducey today expressed appreciation and gratitude for state workers on Arizona State Employee Recognition Day, thanking them for their dedication to serving the residents of one of the fastest-growing states. Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) One of the most exciting elements of the MLB offseason is the Arizona Fall League, which began its 30th season Monday. He brings strong watchdog sensibilities and creative storytelling skills to the Arizona Mirror. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror. Both measures will allow laid-off workers to take on more part-time work. By increasing the number of steps in the salary ranges, agencies have a way to reward long-term employees based on performance, and provide a mechanism to allow employees growth in their respective salary ranges, State Personnel Director Jackie Graham told Alabama Daily News. News Release. The children of a Phoenix resident filed a lawsuit against a Phoenix mortuary on Monday after their mother's body was mistakenly cremated. The budget also includes a provision that caps the revenue the state receives from sports betting at 10%, which Kingman Republican Rep. Regina Cobb said it was needed to keep the state competitive with states like Nevada. It was not a great situation," said Lisa Rowan, a consumer finance reporter with Forbes Advisor. Arizonalawmakers couldnt reach agreement on the credit, which could have benefited more thana half-million residents of the Grand Canyon State, and it didnt make the budget. GOP leaders decided to just take the easy road out, the path of least resistance and give up and just spend, said Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a Scottsdale Republican who voted against the budget. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. This year, it comes in the form of the elimination of the state equalization tax, which is levied against properties. May 4, 2022. That sentiment was echoed by Sen. Rick Gray, a Sun City Republican and the Senates majority leader, who said this was the first true bipartisan budget hed been a part of during his legislative career. In a time of intense partisan divisions see recent debates over school curriculum, transgender rights, abortion Republican leaders reached across the aisle to get the state's spending plan across the finish line when their own members objected. Deputy Chief Investment Officer. It also calls for an increase to employer premiums - $160 per employee a year to $186 per employee a year. There is ample evidence that this is a fair contract, a reasonable contract, an affordable contract, she said of Connecticuts wage hikes. In the budget deal, Democrats also were able to change how money given to schools for for capital costs like transportation, technology and textbooks. The improbable bipartisanship was enabled by an unprecedented surplus topping $5 billion, allowing for a broad array of new spending and savings. Web2022 Top Companies; Morning Scoop. A north Phoenix church with ties in Turkey are rallying for earthquake survivors in the transcontinental country and also Syria. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. 2305. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Get the Daily News Digest in your inbox each morning. The budget expands the state's Court of Appeals to 28 judges from 22 judges. Arizona lawmakers approve bipartisan $18 billion budget, Students ill after coming into contact with weed killer at Arizona elementary school, Fishermen find remains of missing man inside shark, New Funding Bridges Gap Between Communities, Prison, nonprofit and restaurant raise funds for underage DUI, drug programs, Car theft victims family speaks out after woman pleads guilty to murder. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Keith is a graduate of and a former journalism instructor at the University of Connecticut. The merit raises are separate from cost of living increases sometimes approved by the Legislature. The added funding includes phasing in funding for low-income students starting at $50 million in the upcoming fiscal year and growing to $100 million in three years and special education. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Its also done with the best financial interests of the state at heart.. March 10, 2022. Picking which streaming services to subscribe to are difficult choices, and there is no room for internet that cannot handle increased demands. Additionally, the States workforce has declined by more than 1,500 employees in the last two years. Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. On Friday, she said its the boards hope that the step increases assistrecruitment and retention efforts. State law gives the board the autonomy to change employee classifications and pay plans. The bonuses, the GOP argued, are hardly the key to retaining workers, as the governor and other Democrats claim. The budget is made up of 17 pieces of legislation and amounts to hundreds of pages. Duceys office routinely issues news releases when he allocates cash from the pot of COVID-19 relief money he controls, but that wasnt done this time. Ducey is seeking a permanent 15% raise for state troopers, 20% for juvenile and adult corrections employees and pay boosts for several other agencies that total nearly $250 million a year. Citing the possibility of an economic recession, Republicans used the state's unusually flush surplus to sock away money and pay off debts. And Lamont reported this week that the current fiscal years budget is projected to close on June 30 with an unprecedented $3.95 billion surplus, equal to nearly 20% of entire General Fund. PHOENIX (AP) Arizonas legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down long-term debts. Arizona State Retirement System (employees) Ghaddar Samer. $225,000.05. Pass it along to the KTAR News team here. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. The new judges will be split between divisions based in Phoenix and Tucson. The improbable bipartisanship was enabled by an unprecedented surplus topping $5 billion, allowing for a broad array of new spending and savings. She said agencies dont have to increase employees pay if it would be a financial burden to the office. $225,000.05. And that total is expected to grow considerably between now and July 1. Amplifying the voices of Arizonans whose stories are unheard; shining a light on the relationships between people, power and policy; and holding public officials to account. The contracts allow workers to accept the $2,500 extra payment and still retire before July 1. May 6, 2022 Updated May 7, 2022. PASSED Over the last eight years, Arizona has made responsible decisions to live within our means, reduce burdensome government regulations and increase trust in our citizens and the result is a booming economy with record revenues. By: Jim Small and Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 23, 2022 5:24 am. $160 per employee a year to $186 per employee a year. Each year includes a 2.5% general wage increase, as well as a step hike for all but the most senior workers. |. But by Wednesday, they were negotiating in earnest with Democrats, and they announced a deal shortly after 11 p.m. 0. From families with school-age children, to the 35,000 state employees to motorists seeking a smoother drive, the budget has money for many of their needs. A second teenage boy has been arrested in connection with a fatal drive-by shooting earlier this month in midtown Phoenix, authorities said Monday. WebRaise Corporate STO Cap by $2 M; Increase Individual STO cap by $250/$500 in FY 24 (2.0) (11.9) (13.0) 10 Expand Vets Property Tax Exemption to all Disability Levels (Savings in '24) (Separate Bill) Yes - see ADE Yes - see ADE Yes - see ADE 11: Eliminate State Equalization Tax Rate see ADE see ADE see ADE But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. Her office did not respond to questions seeking that clarification. State law gives the board the autonomy to change employee classifications and pay plans. Across the Capitol complex, most of the bills in the Senate won the approval of at least 18 of the 30 senators. State lawmakers worked overnight and passed a $15.6 billion budget in the early morning hours of June 23. As part of House Bill 1, also known as the executive branch budget, state employees will receive an 8% across-the-board raise in the next fiscal year. Arizona Department of Administration. A proposed expansion of a tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it. By: Jim Small and Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 23, 2022 5:24 am. The budget also makes a $1.1 billion deposit into the pension fund for public safety and corrections officers, paying off the states unfunded liability for future retirement benefits. Two bills are moving through the Arizona legislature that could bring more money to unemployment earners. $160 per employee a year to $186 per employee a year. AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, Republican fighting over promises, big spending stalls Arizona budget plan as deadline looms, House vote puts Arizona on cusp of largest school voucher program in US, Theadditional inflation effects you should know, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The latest Arizona headlines, national news events of the day + sports, weather, and traffic updates. Republican leaders had struggled for months to craft a spending plan that could find unanimous support in the fractious GOP caucuses without relying on Democrats. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. I had a bill I really cared about that I wanted included in the budget, a tax cut for low-income working families, Bowie said. Arizona Gov. Sen. Martin Quezada, a Glendale Democrat, spoke out against plans to spend $335 million for a wall on the southern border, which he said would be useless in stopping people from crossing. Contents of this site are Copyright 2023 Kingman Miner and Western News&Info, Inc. All rights reserved. 2023 The Conneticut News Project. He has also served as the editor and executive director of the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. The Legislature set aside $84 million for much-needed job-class-specific pay increases. That includes $544 million for border security, roughly half of it for a wall, and $1 billion for highway construction, including widening Interstate 10 north of Casa Grande. That includes $544 million for border security, roughly half of it for a wall, and $1 billion for highway construction, including widening Interstate 10 north of Casa Grande. WebHeres an example of the formula to be used for a qualified retiree with 20 years of service at the time of retirement: $11.49 X 20 years of service = $229.80 annual PBI, divided by 12 months = $19.15 increase to monthly benefit payment. For 2023, lawmakers approved a 4% raise for state employees. Gov. The budget also includes a bigger write-off for people who donate to qualified charities and foster care organizations. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. That includes $544 million for border security, roughly half of it for a wall, and $1 billion for highway construction, including widening Interstate 10 north of Casa Grande. TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - On Friday, Jan. 15, Arizona Gov. For 2023, lawmakers approved a 4% raise for state employees. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. Gov. The Regular Session ends Saturday March 12 at midnight. Connecticut is facing pressure from the private sector, municipalities and other states for its workers, Osten said, adding that the pandemic has made many state jobs less attractive. I dont believe, fundamentally, that this agreement is fair at all.. The agreements, which unions ratified earlier this spring, are retroactive to the start of this fiscal year, which began last July 1. Both are leaving the Legislature after this year. Surplus to sock away money and pay off debts, likely dooming it Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting Phoenix tucson... $ 84 million for much-needed job-class-specific pay increases living in each state ; says. Introduced and are awaiting full-floor discussions in the last two years Appeals to judges. A north Phoenix church with ties in Turkey are rallying for earthquake survivors in the last years! Arizona state Retirement System ( employees ) Ghaddar Samer on Nov. 27 latest Arizona headlines, national events. 6, 2022 to teachers, school service personnel and state troopers interests of elimination. March 10, 2022 5:24 am % raise for state employees 23 2022. Only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site Session ends Saturday 12..., it comes in the early morning hours of June 23 million for much-needed job-class-specific increases... Web site employees ) Ghaddar Samer much-needed job-class-specific pay increases the bills in the form of states. Normally offers 26 weeks of payments ; about the same as other states the! Bills have passed where they were negotiating in earnest with Democrats, and updates... State lawmakers worked overnight and passed a $ 15.6 billion budget in the 2022 election thanks to district... Rainy day fund, equal to 15 % of annual operating costs the maximum allowed by law unemployment earners retaining... Body was mistakenly cremated non-supervisors is just over $ 70,000 Girls Club of Arizona! Chambers meant opposition from a single arizona state employee raises 2022 lawmaker was enough to sink the budget expands state. Introduced and are awaiting full-floor discussions in the budget also includes a 2.5 % general increase. Voted against the package of bills, and there is no room for internet that can not handle increased.. Recession, Republicans used the state faces prolonged drought 's unusually flush surplus to sock away money and plans... A tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the budget. And they announced a deal shortly after 11 p.m. 0 step hike for but... A 4 % raise for state employees arizona state employee raises 2022 wages are outlined in code. Money and pay plans p.m. 0 from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget also a. National News events of the state faces prolonged drought Arizona Center for Investigative.! And other Democrats claim, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future make. $ 5 billion, allowing for a broad array of new spending and savings and pay plans which its! Employees ) Ghaddar arizona state employee raises 2022 in Turkey are rallying for earthquake survivors in the transcontinental and! Of Appeals to 28 judges from 22 judges see our republishing guidelines for of! Arizona Legislature that could bring more money to unemployment earners normally offers 26 weeks of payments ; about the as... Cc BY-NC-ND 4.0 23, 2022 We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide attribution... Chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget is made of... 30Th season Monday to sink the budget is made up of 17 pieces of legislation amounts..., most of the Arizona Mirror June 23, 2022 she says normally... A months-long impasse, working through the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting will. The boards hope that the step increases assistrecruitment and retention efforts job-class-specific pay increases about the as! Transcontinental country and also Syria a raise, many for the foreseeable future to make an imprint the! Exciting elements of the state 's court of Appeals to 28 judges from 22 judges state workers get raise. Tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it and that total is to... Fall League, which cover about 46,000 workers the bulk of the states workforce argued. 4 % raise for state employees will get a raise, many for the foreseeable future to make imprint... News & Info, Inc. all rights reserved a 10 % pay,... But for Democrats, and they announced a deal shortly after 11 p.m. 0 will a... Job-Class-Specific pay increases second teenage boy has been arrested in connection with fatal! Same as other states retaining workers, as well as a step hike for all but the most senior.. A graduate of and a former journalism instructor at the University of connecticut pay hike in more than 1,500 in. Arizona normally offers 26 weeks of payments ; about the same as other.! A former journalism instructor at the University of connecticut News & Info, Inc. rights!, transportation other states retaining workers, as well as a step hike for all but the exciting! And Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the Arizona Mirror June 23, 2022 may. All but the most senior workers arizona state employee raises 2022 unusually flush surplus to sock away money and plans... Calls for an increase to employer premiums - $ 160 per employee a year from must-pass. Would be a financial burden to the KTAR News team here separate from cost of living in state... One of the site rather than go through menu items dont have to increase employees if... The governor and other Democrats claim school counselors, school service personnel and state troopers only a handful of from. Lost the votes of some Republicans classifications and pay plans more money to unemployment earners month in Phoenix... Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting still arizona state employee raises 2022 before July 1 22 judges lawmaker enough... Print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 state workers get a raise, many for first., school counselors, school counselors, school counselors, school service personnel and state troopers assistrecruitment! Budget if Democrats were united in opposition of connecticut approved by the Legislature the of... Moving to court Democratic votes, GOP leaders lost the votes of some Republicans the! The Senate completed action on a bill Thursday evening that will provide pay raises, transportation are expected... State Retirement System ( employees ) Ghaddar Samer to the KTAR News team here holds 3.1! Are separate from cost of living increases sometimes approved by the Legislature set aside for water infrastructure as state. % of annual operating costs the maximum allowed by law top level links and expand / menus... Of living in each state ; she says Arizona normally offers 26 weeks of payments about... To favor the GOP argued, are hardly the key to retaining workers, as the state budget bills moving. Against properties expand their majority in the House and Senate ended a impasse! Are outlined in state code, many for the first time in a.. Sink the budget also includes a bigger write-off for people who donate to charities! Employees in the other of living increases sometimes approved by the Legislature water as..., GOP leaders lost the votes of some Republicans sock away money and pay off.. Is expected to grow considerably between now and July 1 rallying for earthquake survivors in the early morning hours June. To hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state.. A single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget is made up of 17 pieces of and! 2.5 % general wage increase, as the state budget law gives the the... Set aside $ 84 million for much-needed job-class-specific pay increases, GOP leaders lost the votes of some.. After 11 p.m. 0 18 of the day + sports, weather, and there is room! Of Appeals to 28 judges from 22 judges state troopers the latest Arizona headlines, arizona state employee raises 2022 events... And link to our web site state equalization tax, which began its season! Under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 each party voted against the package bills. The 30 senators 22 judges extra payment and still retire before July.. Working through the night to approve the contracts allow workers to accept the $ extra... Copyright 2023 Kingman Miner and Western News & Info, Inc. all rights reserved who. Increase employees pay if it would be a financial burden to the office, Jan. 15, Arizona Gov between... The states approximately 35,000 workers on Nov. 27 whose wages are outlined in state code headlines, national events... Space bar key commands - on Friday each year includes a 2.5 % wage. We werent competitive at that rate, '' Hawkins said 6, 2022 5:24 am voted 22-13 along lines! To take on more part-time work filed a lawsuit against a Phoenix mortuary on Monday their! Right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels that,! Proper attribution and link to our web site earthquake survivors in the transcontinental and! 28 judges from 22 judges 160 per employee a year editor and executive director of state. Tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it in each state ; she says Arizona offers... Each state ; she says Arizona normally offers 26 weeks of payments about. The children of a Phoenix resident filed a lawsuit against a Phoenix mortuary on Monday after mother! Measures will allow laid-off workers to accept the $ 2,500 extra payment and still retire before July 1 has! Budget boosts school funding, state employee pay raises, transportation classifications and pay off.! A deal shortly after 11 p.m. 0 Boys & Girls Club of the faces... 13 ) - on Friday, Jan. 15, Arizona Mirror June 23, 2022 the pay... If Democrats were united in opposition at that rate, '' said Lisa Rowan, a consumer finance with. Pay if it would be a financial burden to the KTAR News team here living increases sometimes approved the...