Governor Hoeven Signs Into Law State Employee Pay Raise

HOEVEN JOINED BY LEGISLATORS TO SIGN STATE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION BILL

BISMARCK, N.D. –Gov. John Hoeven today was joined by legislators and public employees association representatives as he signed Senate Bill 2189, which provides an 8 percent salary increase, 4 percent annually over the next two years, and $10 million in equity funding for state employees. The bill provides for a minimum increase of $75 a month for each state employee, and continues to provide fully paid healthcare coverage for state workers.

The Governor included the increase in his executive budget, which he released on December 6.

Hoeven was joined for the signing by House Majority Leader Rick Berg, Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem, and bill sponsors Sen. Dave Nething, Sen. Dick Dever, Sen. Larry Robinson, Rep. Lois Delmore, Rep. Todd Porter, and Rep. Dave Weiler. Also joining Hoeven and the legislators were members of the North Dakota Public Employees Association and the Independent North Dakota State Employees Association.

“Our state employees are dedicated workers, and they are committed to doing a good job for the citizens of North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “We appreciate the work they do, and I want to thank legislators for supporting this compensation package.”

“All of us as North Dakotans rely on our state employees every day for the quality services we need,” said Sen. Dave Nething. “This year, we’ve welcomed an opportunity to show them that they’re appreciated early in the legislative session. It’s a tangible way of saying, thank you, for all you do every day, year in and year out.”

“In the past, when budgets were tight, we asked state employees to help bear some of the burden with smaller increases and less support for equity,” said Rep. Dave Weiler. “Now that we have the resources to do so, we want to step up with a meaningful and equitable compensation plan.”

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