Senator Vicki Schmidt (R-Topeka) speaks during a meeting of the State Employee Pay Plan Oversight Committee. Left to right: Representative Annie Tietze (D-Topeka), Senator Schmidt, Senator Laura Kelly (D-Topeka). (Photo by Stephen Koranda)A state committee has recommended salary increases for some state workers who are paid below market averages. The proposal would raise wages between 5 percent and 12.5 percent. More than 4,200 state employees would get a pay hike. Matt Hall is with the union representing juvenile corrections officers.
The Legislature approved $8.5 million for the pay increases. The plan now needs to be approved by the State Finance Council.
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A committee has recommended salary increases for some state workers. The raises are part of a multi-year effort targeted at workers who make below market averages for their job. As Stephen Koranda tells us, more than 4,200 state workers would see a pay hike.
The proposal would increase wages between 5 percent and 12.5 percent. One of the areas that’s targeted is pay for corrections officers. An audit released this year uncovered safety and security problems at a juvenile facility in Topeka. They audit pointed to a high employee turnover rate as one of the causes. Senator Vicki Schmidt, a Topeka Republican, hopes the pay raise can help correct those problems.
“Certainly, it’s one piece of the puzzle. I’m sure there are other issues that need to be dealt with, but I believe that this will be a step in the right direction.”
The Legislature approved $8.5 million dollars for the pay increases. The plan now needs to be approved by the State Finance Council.