Idaho lawmakers back raises for state workers

You can read my full story here at spokesman.com on how Idaho lawmakers on a special legislative committee voted unanimously today to give state workers average 2 percent pay boosts next year, despite Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendation for no funding for raises. The joint legislative Committee on Change in Employee Compensation made the decision after the panel convened for this year for the first time since 2008; it recommended 1 percent for one-time bonuses, and 1 percent for permanent boosts. The pay would be distributed by agency directors based on merit and other factors, and agencies also would be encouraged to tap salary savings to give additional merit boosts.