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%. Tax cuts are a staple of the annual budget. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. Nobody loves a budget once all the compromises are made, said Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray, R-Sun City. "Arizona came in second to last. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. "But Id say that Arizona in general has not followed the market trend when it comes to police pay.". She says Arizona normally offers 26 weeks of payments; about the same as other states. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. We are overpaying. Doug Ducey was expected to approve it. PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Gov. It is unclear whether Gov. Arizona State Retirement System (employees) Ghaddar Samer. KTARs Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives. He has been the state finances reporter at CT Mirror since it launched in 2010. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. Ducey hailed the deal, saying his policies of limited spending and regulation cuts can be credited for the surplus, although massive federal COVID-19 relief money also was a major contributor. Two Arizona state senators announced Tuesday they would be stepping down from Democratic leadership roles, citing different reasons. "Are we having trouble hiring Supreme Court justices and needing to increase their salary for some reason?" For 2023, lawmakers approved a 4% raise for state employees. State law gives the board the autonomy to change employee classifications and pay plans. The employee pay raise bill got to the finish line with a $10,000 raise for State Troopers, up from the original $2,550 figure. 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. Rep. Kelli Butler, D-Phoenix, asked earlier this week with a dose of sarcasm. The budget has nearly $600 million in new, permanent funding for public schools, up from about $330 million in the original proposal. Although it wasn't enough for some fiscal conservatives in the Legislature, savings can be a dry part of the budget but also an important one. A proposed expansion of a tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror. The merit raises are separate from cost of living increases sometimes approved by the Legislature. Get CT Mirror emails in your inbox daily. Arizona state officials gave pay raises to 169 government workers without getting the required approval from the Department of $225,000.05. March 10, 2022. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Thats when more stringent limits on state retirement benefits, negotiated as part of a 2017 concessions deal with unions, take effect. Those who have voted against it say they want to see a restructuring of DES before handing them more money. 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. Each year includes a 2.5% general wage increase, as well as a step hike for all but the most senior workers. I dont think we have a competitiveness problem here in Arizona, Rep. Kelli Butler, D-Paradise Valley, said, citing the, made in the state since its implementation and the states meager tax collections. 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. Both are leaving the Legislature after this year. Bipartisan budget boosts school funding, state employee pay raises, transportation. Picking which streaming services to subscribe to are difficult choices, and there is no room for internet that cannot handle increased demands. 0. 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 budget puts another $425 million into the rainy day fund, an emergency savings account, adding to $1 billion already stashed away. This year, it comes in the form of the elimination of the state equalization tax, which is levied against properties. Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. May 6, 2022 Updated May 7, 2022. 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. State lawmakers worked overnight and passed a $15.6 billion budget in the early morning hours of June 23. I dont believe, fundamentally, that this agreement is fair at all.. 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 Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Some Republicans have said the hefty bonuses are only an election-year stunt from Lamont, a Democrat, to shore up his standing with his labor base. Prior to joining CT Mirror Keith was State Capitol bureau chief for The Journal Inquirer of Manchester, a reporter for the Day of New London, and a former contributing writer to The New York Times. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. It also eliminates the state equalization tax, a property tax for education, and backfills it with $330 million from the general fund. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. $225,000.05. Also on Thursday evening, Senate made its way through its calendar, completing action on six additional bills and passing 11 others that will need to be finalized by the House. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The premium pay started flowing to 17,291 of the states approximately 35,000 workers on Nov. 27. State lawmakers worked overnight and passed a $15.6 billion budget in the early morning hours of June 23. Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. 2305. The budget is not sound and its not reflective of my conservative values, Ugenti-Rita said. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Support local journalism. Its excessive.. Deputy Chief Investment Officer. Ducey listed water, education, and border security as his priorities. It also calls for an increase to employer premiums - $160 per employee a year to $186 per employee a year. It does not call for a second raise or a cut to the number of weeks people can get paid. The Legislature set aside $84 million for much-needed job-class-specific pay increases. And that total is expected to grow considerably between now and July 1. Updated: 6:21 AM MST June 23, 2022 State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. By: Jim Small and Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 23, 2022 5:24 am. The Legislature plans to return Thursday afternoon to take up legislation directing how the new water cash will be spent and other remaining bills, with an eye to adjourning for the year once those are completed. The agreements, which unions ratified earlier this spring, are retroactive to the start of this fiscal year, which began last July 1. Using the money to provide premium pay for essential workers is allowed under terms of the virus relief law signed by the Democratic president last March. Each of the 3.6 million residents in Connecticut rely on the critical public services state workers provide whether you are standing in line at the DMV, attending a technical school, community college or state university, getting treatment at UConn Health, driving on our roads and bridges, enjoying a state park or beach, or any of the other ubiquitous public services you will be uplifted by these fair and honorable contracts, the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition wrote in a statement after the Senate vote. $225,000.05. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. The two-term governor, who leaves office in about six months, has made border security a goal throughout his tenure. 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 WebDeputy Chief Investment Officer. $225,000.05. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Bipartisan budget boosts school funding, state employee pay raises, transportation. 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. And a separate bill spends $335 million to construct a border fence along 17 miles of the states border with Mexico. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "So yeah, well deserved and hopefully it does what the intent was, to try to stop the high number of regrettable attrition that we have, increased retirement, guys going out earlier than they probably would have.". State workers get a 10% pay raise, the first across-the-board pay hike in more than a decade. In the budget deal, Democrats also were able to change how money given to schools for for capital costs like transportation, technology and textbooks. Doug Ducey was expected to approve it. He pointed to officer pay in Texas and California, where rookie California Highway Patrol officers start at $93,000 a year. The result is a booming economy with record revenues, Ducey said in a statement. Doug Ducey quietly tapped $95 million in federal coronavirus relief money in November to boost pay for state troopers, prison guards and workers in several other state departments deemed essential. Sen. Cathy Osten defending the SEBAC deal. Citing the possibility of an economic recession, Republicans used the state's unusually flush surplus to sock away money and pay off debts. As of April 8, 2021, both bills have passed where they were introduced and are awaiting full-floor discussions in the other. 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. 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 Arizona Department of Administration. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Karamargin, Duceys spokesman, said there is increasing competitiveness in all sorts of jobs. Tune in to FOX 10 Phoenixfor the latestnews: By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Republicans last year cut $1.7 billion in income taxes. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. The Senate gave final approval Friday to a four-year package of raises for state employees that includes $3,500 in bonuses to help stem a surge in worker retirements. Kay Ivey approved of the step changes prior to the boards decision. Thats because state governments coffers are flush with cash as never before. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. The cost of living in each state; She says Arizona normally offers 26 weeks of payments; about the same as other states. The House, where Democrats also hold a majority, approved the package 96-52 on Thursday. 0. In the House of Representatives, most of the budget bills garnered at least 40 votes in the 60-member chamber. The budget is not sound and its not reflective of my conservative values, Ugenti-Rita said. Here are some highlights about what's in the spending plan. A separate bill giving locality pay was scrapped in favor of this bill. Ducey released a recovery-focused budget for Fiscal Year 2022, and he plans in making investments in K-12 education, public health, public safety, wildfire prevention, infrastructure and more, while also providing tax relief to residents. State workers get a 10% pay raise, the first across-the-board pay hike in more than a decade. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. A second teenage boy has been arrested in connection with a fatal drive-by shooting earlier this month in midtown Phoenix, authorities said Monday. Long-serving state employees may be eligible for pay increases of up to 10% over the next few years. 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. "We werent competitive at that rate," Hawkins said. News Release. 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. The bipartisanship extended to opposition a handful of conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats voted against the budget deal. Graham said the possible costs of the increases are not available. Gov. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. WebFY 2022 Appropriations Report - General Fund Salary Adjustments for State Employees Since FY 2012 and Salary Adjustments for Elected Officials Created Date 8/4/2021 4:55:37 PM She says one day, federal money will run out, so states need to start thinking long-term. Ironically, it was the Legislatures most conservative lawmakers who forced the hands of GOP leaders when they balked at initial, smaller spending proposals. Republicans had sought to let parents use the scholarships to cover the entirety of a private schools tuition instead of the 90% limit that has been in place since the program was created in the early 2000s. The governor in2016 signed a bill expanding the Arizona Supreme Court to seven judges from five, saying it would improve efficiency even as the chief justice at the time objected, citing more dire court needs. Every single budgets bad, Gray said. TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - On Friday, Jan. 15, Arizona Gov. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. 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. Arizona state officials gave pay raises to 169 government workers without getting the required approval from the Department of TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - On Friday, Jan. 15, Arizona Gov. "So acknowledging the importance of these positions at this time where staffing is such a big issue across the board, we thought this was a good thing to do.". The latest Arizona headlines, national news events of the day + sports, weather, and traffic updates. They also agreed to technical changes in a formula for distributing money to schools and $4 million each for school testing and 2022 election costs. Despite an eventual agreement on the budget, Democratic members tried but failed to introduce a number of amendments to budget bills to introduce a litany of policy changes such as, extending family and medical leave benefits, UPDATED Trumps fake electors: Heres the full list, How David Stevens is making Cochise County a 'laboratory', A GOP showdown over the debt limit could grip Congress and. The merit raises are separate from cost of living increases sometimes approved by the Legislature. The final budget adds about 20 staff members to his Border Strike Force within the Department of Public Safety, and the $200 million-plus for border security includes: $20 million for a jail in Cochise County, $10 million for the Arizona National Guard, $53 million to retain and hire sheriffs officers, $15 million to transport asylum seekers outside of Arizona, as well as other priorities. The package of budget bills passed with overwhelming support, highly unusual in the modern era. 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. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. 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. The six new judges will cost the state $4.5 million a year, but about half that in the upcoming year because terms begin in January 2023, according a budget summary from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. State workers get a 10% pay raise, the first across-the-board pay hike in more than a decade. 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. WebFY 2022 Appropriations Report - General Fund Salary Adjustments for State Employees Since FY 2012 and Salary Adjustments for Elected Officials Created Date 8/4/2021 4:55:37 PM State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. For 2023, lawmakers approved a 4% raise for state employees. 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. 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. 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. It is unclear whether Gov. Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. Arizona Department of Administration. The same is true at other agencies, according to a spreadsheet of classifications earning premium pay provided by the state Department of Administration. She says it's the actual payment amounts that put Arizona at the bottom of her list. Reporter Jerod MacDonald-Evoy joined the Arizona Mirror from the Arizona Republic, where he spent 4 years covering everything from dark money in politics to Catholic priest sexual abuse scandals. In 2020, state employees were paid an average of $50,312. Result is a booming economy with record revenues, ducey said in decade..., broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed sound and its not reflective of conservative. The compromises are made, said Senate majority Leader Rick Gray, R-Sun City, it to... 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Who have voted against it say they want to see a restructuring of DES before handing them more.! Booming economy with record revenues, ducey said in a decade stringent limits on Retirement... Spreadsheet of classifications earning premium pay provided by the Legislature set aside $ million. Was scrapped in favor of this bill Leader Rick Gray, R-Sun.... No room for internet that can not handle increased demands months, has made security! Streaming services to subscribe to are difficult choices, and border security his!