State workers lose ground on pay

Though Idaho lawmakers agreed to raise state employee pay this year by an average of 3 percent, state worker salaries have fallen even further behind market rates. An annual state report shows that Idaho classified state employee pay now lags 22.6 percent below market rates, compared to 19.87 percent at this point last year. Idaho also lags compared to surrounding states, with state employees paid more in Washington, Oregon, Utah, Montana and Wyoming, the report found, a gap that’s also widened since last year/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here.

DFO: I wonder what the figure is for Idaho workers in private industry. 3% raise? I know a lot of people in private industry who might kill — or at least maim — for a 3% raise. Thoughts?