Both measures will allow laid-off workers to take on more part-time work. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Ducey, who last year offered teachers raises ofless than1 percent,has given 44 of his staff members raises of up to 20 percent each. Keep reading with a digital access subscription. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. The Pima County Board of Supervisors had eight pay raise proposals to choose from, ranging from a low of 5% to a high of 10%. The governors aides say business tax relief is justified based on data they say show that Arizona has the 10th highest industrial property tax rates in the nation. $5 million in 20 percent pay raises for Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections officers. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. Please follow the steps below to log in: If you are not able to log in, please contact[emailprotected]or call (602) 542-4700, Option 4 for assistance. Jan Brewer offered 5 percent pay raises to employees who became "uncovered," giving up certain job protections. They also agreed to technical changes in a formula for distributing money to schools and $4 million each for school testing and 2022 election costs. It also eliminates the state equalization tax, a property tax for education, and backfills it with $330 million from the general fund. KTARs Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives. Every single budgets bad, Gray said. Doug Ducey, despite lean budget, awards hefty pay raises to his staff, Teachers union to fight for 20 percent raises, just like Gov. Ron DeSantis ban on school mask mandates last year. The biggest share of the funds for higher education are linked to training in specialized fields. The same is true at other agencies, according to a spreadsheet of classifications earning premium pay provided by the state Department of Administration. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. The Senate is adjourned until Monday, March 6, at 11 a.m. Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, is proposing a further reduction in that flat tax, to $1.5 billion. The state Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry and the Department of Public Safety have been struggling to hire and retain officers, in part because of wages that are low or uncompetitive. The Arizona Legislature on Tuesday began considering a $15.6 billion state budget package that pays down more than $1.2 billion in state debt but keeps in place most of a nearly $800 budget. The Associated Press learned of the moneys use when an updated report on the governors use of virus relief funds was posted by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, which provides non-partisan analysis of state finances to lawmakers. Arizona Legislature Considering 'Build Back Broke' Type of Budget with Instead, a proposal that looked close to being accepted by the two sides would put the $200 million into a school recognition program that would reward faculty and staff in "highly productive" schools that excelled even amid the challenges of the pandemic. The Phoenix City Council approved an ordinance that keeps landlords from discriminating against renters based on their source of income. The Senates proposal excluded current Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democrat and candidate for governor, from having access to the funds. It creates a state version of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit that targets low-income households where someone is working and, in most cases, where there is a child. There's no need for the biennial signature chase for lawmakers says Rep. David Cook, a Republican lawmaker from Globe, State Sen. Kelly Townsend led the effort to get the attorney general to overturn a Pima County employee vaccine mandate and continues to quest, The attorney general's office is threatening to prosecute and seek to jail Secretary of State Katie Hobbs if she follows through with plan, A Senate panel voted to allow dental patients to get their lips puffed, cheeks filled out and brow wrinkles smoothed where they now get their , For Star subscribers:Gov. If prompted, enter your YES Username and Password. For agencies, boards and commissions under the State Personnel System, the maximum number of annual leave hours an employee may carry over into a new calendar year is, hours for covered employees. It also eliminates the state equalization tax, a property tax for education, and backfills it with $330 million from the general fund. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. The Arizona Legislature on Tuesday began considering a $15.6 billion state budget package that pays down more than $1.2 billion in state debt but keeps in place most of a nearly $800 budget gimmick from the Great Recession, boosts road construction, border security and other spending but falls short of what education advocates say is needed to fund K-12 public schools. Ducey appointee hands out big raises, bonuses. The new budget also is built on the premise that the 2.5% flat tax proposal approved last year will, in fact, take effect this year at an annual cost of $1.9 billion despite the fact that foes have gathered enough signatures to delay it until the public can vote on it in November. Floridas Republican-led Legislature has historically proved stingy with pay raises to public employees, many years doling out no annual hikes and keeping salaries low. But many of his comments leave quest, For Star subscribers:Senate President Karen Fann tells the Star in a Q&A the plan is to set up a program to achieve short- to long-term g, Schools chief Kathy Hoffman called out Republican legislative leaders Tuesday for failing so far to ensure that schools across the state won't. This equals the increase in the Consumer Price Index, a key measure of inflation. The Cigna DHMO Dental plan is changing to the UnitedHealthcare Solstice S800B DHMO (UHC Solstice). Those who have voted against it say they want to see a restructuring of DES before handing them more money. This is really just getting on a soap box and vilifying immigrants and creating a political point, Quezada said. The added funding includes phasing in funding for low-income students starting at $50 million in the upcoming fiscal year and growing to $100 million in three years and special education. Jun 10, 2022 Updated Jan 20, 2023. Doug Ducey has had a serious negative effect on neighborhoods. To see your current elections and enroll, click the Employee or Retiree button in the upper lefthand corner of the page. Tucson judge declares mistrial for man accused of murdering Isabel Celis, Jesse Wilson: Adoptive mother arrested in boy's death in Arizona, Family shot, killed in murder-suicide before eviction from foreclosed home: police, Phoenix condo fire leaves man and 2 kids dead; two other children in critical condition, Arrest made weeks after deadly Phoenix shooting, Police investigating shots fired incidents at Apache Junction RV resort, Suspect injured following shooting involving DPS trooper near Downtown Phoenix, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Deadly I-17 crash in Phoenix caused by impaired driver, officials say, Family sues Phoenix mortuary following accidental cremation, Man shot in downtown Phoenix, no arrests made, Buckeye mom accused of killing adoptive son extradited to Arizona. YES | Department of Administration Human Resources - Arizona Both measures will allow laid-off . Strictly speaking, the state gets no property tax revenues. The Senate completed action on a bill Thursday evening that will provide pay raises for state employees whose wages are outlined in state code. And that specifically means private lands. The firings of more than 100 auditors and collectors, who were among the lowest-paid employees at Revenue, ended up costing the state $83million in lost revenue. Doug Ducey was expected to approve it. Updated: 2022-06 . All rights reserved. So, what's the best way to get a raise if you work for the state of Arizona? "State employees have stepped up and answered the call of public service. GOP leaders decided to just take the easy road out, the path of least resistance and give up and just spend, said Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a Scottsdale Republican who voted against the budget. Simpson, the Senate president, is running for the post of Agriculture Commissioner later this year and the spending provision sought by his chamber would not take effect until January 2023, when he could potentially be in charge of the department. After losing support on the right, House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann had to look elsewhere for votes, and they found them across the aisle. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. The premium pay started flowing to 17,291 of the states approximately 35,000 workers on Nov. 27. Arizona state officials gave pay raises to 169 government workers without getting the required approval from the Department of Administration. Their agreement adds $80 million in combined additional funding for Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, bringing their funding boosts in line with additional money already allocated to University of Arizona. With the increase, Fann's bill cuts benefits from 26 to 22 weeks once unemployment is back under 4.5%. Arizona state employee raises 2022. Republicans last year cut $1.7 billion in income taxes. . Its not just line DPS troopers that are getting premium pay; dispatchers, crime lab technicians, radio repair staff and many others are getting premium pay, which ends on June 30. Session lurches into overtime as state worker pay raises approved in The budget is not sound and its not reflective of my conservative values, Ugenti-Rita said. Tuesday, November 8, 2022, is the General Election and all state government employees are encouraged to vote. The budget is not sound and its not reflective of my conservative values, Ugenti-Rita said. Using the money to provide premium pay for essential workers is allowed under terms of the virus relief law signed by the Democratic president last March. C.J. And it puts another $425 million in the rainy day fund to help the state weather a potential recession. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. PHOENIX (AP) Arizonas legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down long-term debts. Those employees who will be receiving a targeted salary increase at or above 7.5 percent in fiscal year 2023 will be eligible to receive a 2.5 percent statewide increase. They apparently succeeded Tuesday, but still unclear in negotiations was whether teachers and staff in these districts would be eligible for the new school recognition awards. DATABASE:Here's how well Ducey rewarded his staff, agency heads. This is your TASC card account. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. A proposed expansion of a tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it. Jeffrey Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, said the premium pay is sorely needed at the agency that not only patrols state highways but does investigations, runs a crime lab and does many other law enforcement jobs. Ron DeSantis spends big in $99.7 billion budget proposal. $400 million to complete another 20 miles of upgrading I-10 to three lanes in each direction between Casa Grande and Sun Lakes; $50 million for communities outside Pima and Maricopa counties to leverage federal dollars for shovel-ready transportation projects; $92 million for building repairs and upgrades in the state prison system; $8.2 million to increase the number of Adult Protective Services caseworkers; $177 million for projects at state parks, about half for sewage treatment systems, though $118 million of that is coming from federal cash.