Panel recommends raises for all state employees

A committee of Idaho legislators assigned to study pay and benefits for state employees is recommending all state employees receive $1.55 raises in the next budget year.

The Idaho Legislature’s Change in Employee Compensation Committee voted 7-3 during a meeting Thursday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise to recommend the raises.

The recommendation is very similar to Gov. Brad Little’s recommendation.

On Monday, Little recommended legislators approve raises of 5%, or $1.55 per hour, for all state employees.

Members of the Change in Employee Compensation Committee said that state employees who make $64,480 or less per year will see at least a 5% raise under the $1.55 per hour raises. State employees who make more than $64,480 would receive less than a 5% raise.

Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise, cast one of the votes against the $1.55 recommendation after expressing concern the hourly increase would not provide as big of an increase to more highly paid state employees.

“I guess I’m concerned about our highly skilled employees that are making more than $64,480 – I’m worried that they’re not even going to keep up with the cost of living, and that’s really a problem for me,” Ward-Engelking said during Thursday’s meeting. 

Committee members also approved a larger salary increase, not to exceed 8%, for Idaho State Police Troopers and a 4.5% increase for state IT and engineering staff.

Nurses and health care professionals would get raises of $1.55 per hour or 3%, whichever is larger.

Legislators themselves are set to receive 25% raises next year. Before the legislative session began, the Citizens’ Committee for Legislative Compensation recommended the state increase the salary for part-time, seasonal legislators from $19,913 per year to $25,000 per year, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. 

The recommendations issued Thursday are not final or binding. The Change in Employee Compensation Committee will present its salary and benefit recommendations to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, which sets the budgets for all state agencies and departments.