Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem: State employees’ raises to come first this session

State employees’ pay raises will be one of the first bills settled in the Senate this session according to Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem. Monday, Stenehjem pledged to support the Governor’s initiative for a 4 percent pay raise this year and 4 percent increase next year with an additional $10 million for equity adjustments.

Stenehjem said working with employee groups, a broad consensus has emerged that state employees need to know early in the session that raises are on the way.

“Because of the excellent economy and the current ending fund balance, we want to make sure state employees know that their salaries will be a funding priority,” said Stenehjem. “We want to take care of our own people first, and we want them to know what to expect the next two years. Investing in people is our priority.”

Stenehjem said the Legislature is trying to stem the tide of losing more than 10 percent of the state’s public employees each year. “In this booming economy, the state must become a more competitive employer. We want salaries to reflect the value we place on public service,” he said.

The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that North Dakota’s per capita income increased 7.6 percent from 2004 to 2005. The proposed 8 percent increases are needed to keep state employees’ salaries competitive.

State employees would continue to receive fully paid health insurance premiums as well. The Governor’s budget includes $658 per month for state employee health insurance premiums, an increase of $104 or 18.8 percent from the previous biennium.

Each state employee would receive a minimum increase of $75. The salary increases must be based on merit and equity and are not to be given as across-the-board increases. The state has 8,437 full-time equivalent employees.
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