Consider This...
June 9, 2006
STATE EMPLOYEE RAISE LIKELY
The
details aren’t finalized yet, but it appears that the wait for a decent
raise for state employees may be over.
The
House is releasing details of its version of the state budget and will debate
and vote on a full budget next week. The House’s budget isn’t wonderful
(more next week on what it leaves out), but it does include good news for
state employees: a 5% raise plus a $300 bonus. Teachers will do even better,
netting an 8% raise.
After
several years in which state employees were punished for their dedicated
service with little or nothing in the way of increases, a 5% raise is a
welcome change. Here’s hoping that the final version of the budget includes
the 5% bump as well as the $300 bonus (which is especially valuable to those
with the lowest incomes).
Currently
N.C. state employees rank 29th in the nation in average salary
(according to Governing magazine), trailing Southern neighbors such as
At an estimated cost to the state of around $300 million, the 5% increase would be an excellent investment in the state’s infrastructure and economy.
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