Some State Workers Get Pay Hikes

Item: Some of Idaho’s state employees get raises: More than half of the small percentage of employees whose pay will increase work for the Idaho State Police /Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman

More Info: There are 838 state employees who may want to keep quiet at the water cooler. They constitute a fortunate few who have received pay increases since the Legislature adjourned and required agencies to cut personnel costs by 5 percent. With about 25,000 people on the state payroll system, the 838 represent 3 percent of all employees. The raises took effect between May 1 and Aug. 10. Meanwhile, 69 workers have been laid off because of the budget crunch, 186 have had their pay cut, and 3,710 have taken furloughs without pay, according to the office of Controller Donna Jones.

Question: Is it fair that some state workers are getting pay increases while others are getting pay cuts or being laid off?