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The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has voted 14-5 to impose a 3 percent, across-the-board pay cut on all state employees next year, as part of an overall 5 percent cut in personnel funding statewide. The joint committee had been debating between requiring 2 percent or 3 percent as the required cut. Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls, was among those opposing the 3 percent figure. “Why would we intentionally go to a 3 percent salary reduction when we don’t know for sure that we have to go that deep?” he asked. “We are still not competitive in terms of how we compensate our employees.” Backers of the move said they want fairness and uniformity in how cuts are handled among state agencies. “What we really want to do is to keep as many jobs as we can,” said Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley. The requirement for the one-year pay cut, effective for fiscal year 2010, will now be written into every budget bill the joint committee passes.
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duckster1 on March 21 at 10:47 a.m.
A 3 % pay cut across the board is fair. Across the board means eveyone, Governor, other elected officials, management as well as workers. As a state employee I am ready, willing and able to tighten my belt and do my fair share. What I resent is when a small group is made to bear the burden for the rest. Kudos to JFAC and chairs Cameron and Bell for doing the right thing. People should also note that this reduction in for one year, to get us through the downturn. It can be extended and if that’s necessary, so be it.
If only the Republicans lead by Dolores Crow had left well enough alone back in 2002 and directed the surplus into a rainy day account instead of directing a tax cut. I got $30.00 then and saved a few dollars over the ensuing years, but the state as a whole sure could use that money now.