Ducey proposes pay raises for nearly half of state employees in $11.4 billion budget Gov. It raises pay in January 2022 to $300 and raises employer premiums. A salary increase with a chosen percent pay increase. The Senate is adjourned until Monday, March 6, at 11 a.m. Arizona has a legal right to challenge a federal provision that forbids using COVID relief money for tax cuts, appeals court rules. The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 11, at 11 a.m. Your Excess Annual Leave balances in YES will not be updated this upcoming pay period. The maximum benefit is about $325 a year, with an average of $128. Likely there will be some sort of compromise concerning the two state bills. AZPerforms was successfully upgraded and is now available. The improbable bipartisanship was enabled by an unprecedented surplus topping $5 billion, allowing for a broad array of new spending and savings. 2023 www.azcentral.com. 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. John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. With a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2020 pushing the states minimum wage for all workers to $15-an-hour in 2026, Florida lawmakers now appear to be getting out slightly ahead of this shift. Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early. To keep your FSA for healthcare, limited purpose, or daycare/elder care, you must re-enroll each year. 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. Senate Bill 1828(Laws 2021, Fifty-fifth Legislature, 1st Regular Session)amended the individual income tax withholding brackets. Arizona state employee raises 2022. Watch a non-stop stream of breaking news, live events and stories across the nation. 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. March 10, 2022. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. The Regular Session ends Saturday March 12 at midnight. Republicans last year cut $1.7 billion in income taxes. To see your current elections and enroll, click the Employee or Retiree button in the upper lefthand corner of the page. DATABASE:Here's how well Ducey rewarded his staff, agency heads. In K-12 education, negotiators reached general agreement on an almost $385-per-student increase in school funding an almost 5% boost that would bring funding to an average $8,143 for each of Florida's 2.9 million school kids. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. While a judge has said the tax cut is subject to referendum, there is still a challenge to whether there are sufficient signatures on the petitions. Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. About 9 p.m. Tuesday, Trumbull and Stargel sent a memo to fellow lawmakers acknowledging that they wouldn't make a midnight deadline in time for a constitutionally required 72-hour waiting period before lawmakers can vote on the budget by Friday's last scheduled day of the 2022 session. The state hopes a new computer program will increase efficiency and allow employees across agencies to work together better. Tax cuts and revisiting voided pandemic restrictions also top agenda for new session. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Average annual pay before overtime for non-supervisors is just over $70,000. "If you make a whole ton of money and you're on unemployment, the most you're going to get is $240 a week to be able to pay your bills," said Rowan. $227 million in new K-12 funding above and behind whats required to keep pace with enrollment growth and inflation; $127 million for higher education, including $46 million for economy workforce initiatives at the three universities to prepare students for careers in future jobs; About $26 million to for would-be nursing students to attend the privately run Creighton University to help staff Arizona hospitals; About $26 million to increase the amount of money given to people who agree to take care of relatives instead of them going into foster care or congregate care settings. Arizona Lawmakers Approve Bipartisan $18 Billion Budget, Marisol Garcia, Vice President of the Arizona Education Association, speaks during a news conference at the Arizona capitol Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Phoenix. TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - On Friday, Jan. 15, Arizona Gov. 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. And just over a month ago, this is exactly what happened in Arizona, as former state CIO Aaron Sandeen passed the torch to our new state CIO Morgan Reed. The package of budget bills passed with overwhelming support, highly unusual in the modern era. Virtual meetings will be held at various times throughout February, March and April 2023. I had a bill I really cared about that I wanted included in the budget, a tax cut for low-income working families, Bowie said. Rick Scott, a multi-millionaire, who had sold the states former air fleet and paid for and used his own jet for state travel. There is a growing sense that fallowing will have to be part of the solution to the increasingly desperate drought in the West. The House is adjourned until tomorrow, March 4 at 9 a.m. Also on Thursday evening, Senate made its way through its calendar, completing action on six additional bills and passing 11 others that will need to be finalized by the House. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin), 3 Kansas City Officers Who Were Shot Released From Hospital, 1 Killed When Business Jet Encounters Severe Turbulence, Pot Vote Has Oklahoma Hungry to Rake in Green From Texas. But aides said that promise was for over three years, meaning after he has left office. The 12 school districts targeted in the House's original proposal were looking to get the $200 million penalty removed from the state's school funding system. Doug Ducey, despite lean budget, awards hefty pay raises to his staff, Teachers union to fight for 20 percent raises, just like Gov. rookie California Highway Patrol officers start at $93,000 a year. A Valley teenager was arrested on Friday for bringing a firearm to Moon Valley High School, authorities said. Duceys plan also includes $58 million to help low-performing schools those rated D or F by the state Department of Education as well as some C-rated schools where 60% or more of the students come from low-income households. The Phoenix City Council approved an ordinance that keeps landlords from discriminating against renters based on their source of income. For example, Arizona State University is getting $21 million for new programs in engineering, Theres $415 million for the University of Arizona for its programs in health, mining, space and defense, with about $10 million for Northern Arizona University for health care professions. Reach the reporter at craig.harris@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8478 or on Twitter @charrisazrep. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. The result is a booming economy with record revenues, Ducey said in a statement. That is far short of the $1 billion commitment he made in his State of the State speech. Visit the Benefits Website Links to some of the frequently visited benefits information: Employee Discounts (including tuition discounts) Arizona tax rates have decreased and as a result, AZDOR has revised withholding percentages and is requiring taxpayers to complete a new Form A-4 for 2023. This widespread removal of protections made possiblemass firings during the Ducey administration in a quest to shrink government. $49.1 million for an across-the-board pay . But some of that money is going to erect what the Governors Office is calling physical barriers along stretches of the border where they have access. Leave taken and/or accrued during the 12/10 - 12/23 pay period willNOTbe reflected in the excess annual leave balances posted in YES on the leave balances tab. Take away federal money and pandemic extensions, and Arizona is left with a bare-bones unemployment insurance system. 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. As new information becomes available related to submitting a new 2023 A4, it will be published here. 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PASSED Over the last eight years, Arizona has made responsible decisions to live within our means, reduce burdensome government regulations and increase trust in our citizens and the result is a booming economy with record revenues. Will ct state employees get a raise in 2022 22 feb 2022 northeast region abbreviations northeast region abbreviations Will ct state employees get a raise in 2022. Ironically, it was the Legislatures most conservative lawmakers who forced the hands of GOP leaders when they balked at initial, smaller spending proposals. The Legislature plans to return Thursday afternoon to take up legislation directing how the new water cash will be spent and other remaining bills, with an eye to adjourning for the year once those are completed. That includes money for grants to schools for needed repairs as well as cash to begin three new high schools at Marana, Pima and Nadaburg school districts. The Supreme Court has rejected appeals from Arizona and Nevada involving the rights of same-sex couples. "Weve got some quite a few critical positions that are vital to public safety," Karamargin said. 40 workers fired by ex-DES chief may get jobs back If you had logged in to Y.E.S. That includes $544 million for border security, roughly half of it for a wall, and $1 billion for highway construction, including widening Interstate 10 north of Casa Grande. Pursuant to State laws and rules, state employees may receive paid leave in order to exercise their voting privileges under certain conditions. The premium pay started flowing to 17,291 of the states approximately 35,000 workers on Nov. 27. Instead, they are looking at a chain-link fence, similar to what is around state prisons. But with inflation rising and many state agencies struggling to hire and keep employees, lawmakers have adapted to a new political reality. The Senate completed action on a bill Thursday evening that will provide pay raises for state employees whose wages are outlined in state code. But how long is needed to finish the budget work appears to be an unknown at the moment. NOTE:Employees have the option to update their A-4 at any time during the tax year but are encouraged to consult with their tax advisor related to these new updates from AZDOR to determine how they may be affected. Arizona state employees get raises without needed OKs, Domestic partners employed by state gain win at Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court rejects Arizona gay rights case, YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS/PRIVACY POLICY. Arizona House Republicans back universal school voucher expansion, Arizona Legislature begins hearings on state budget plan as deadline looms, Surprisingly wet winter pulls most of Arizona out of drought conditions, Annual Folk and Heritage Festival coming to Glendales Sahuaro Ranch Park this weekend, Phoenix passes source-of-income housing discrimination ban, Police arrest student for bringing firearm to high school in Phoenix, Walmart Health unveils plan to open 6 centers in metro Phoenix, Southwest farmers reluctant to idle farmland to save water, Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices, Sports gambling can be fun for adults, but its a dangerous game for children, Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays. Two-thirds of Arizona is no longer experiencing drought conditions, an abrupt change following a surprisingly wet winter. Aides said the most likely targeted areas are in Cochise County where ranchers have property right up against the international boundary. Sen. Sean Bowie, a moderate Phoenix Democrat, joined with moderate Republican Sen. Paul Boyer to push for more school funding, noting that in all more than $1 billion in new school funding was in the plan, with more than half ongoing. "So acknowledging the importance of these positions at this time where staffing is such a big issue across the board, we thought this was a good thing to do.". ADOA Human Resources . Rep. John Kavanagh's bill, HB 2131, would override any homeowner association rules requiring lawns to be seeded with real grass. The Evergreen State takes the top spot again in the U.S. News Best States ranking on the strength of its tech sector and other industries. Walmart plans to open multiple health centers in metro Phoenix as the retail giant expands its medical services initiative. . SB 1411 was introduced by Republican State Senator Karen Fann. And that specifically means private lands. The average raise for a Ducey staffer was 11 percentsince he took office. Posted: 4:27 PM, Jun 28, 2022 . Keep reading with a digital access subscription. Other state employee raises are reflected in the budget bill that is expected to be finalized before the end of the Regular Session. Right now, you can only earn $30 before benefits are reduced. It also eliminates the state equalization tax, a property tax for education, and backfills it with $330 million from the general fund. The Arizona Board of Regents approved the University of Arizona's . It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. "Arizona is resilient, and we . 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. Nobody loves a budget once all the compromises are made, said Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray, R-Sun City. For those in the middle of the pay range scale, the hike . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Republican leaders had struggled for months to craft a spending plan that could find unanimous support in the fractious GOP caucuses without relying on Democrats. Arizona State Government is an EOA/ADA reasonable Accommodation Employer. GOP and Democratic leaders agreed to add $526 million in new ongoing funding for K-12 schools, a substantial increase from the GOPs initial proposal. It was not a great situation," said Lisa Rowan, a consumer finance reporter with Forbes Advisor. She says it's the actual payment amounts that put Arizona at the bottom of her list. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. Doug Ducey or his political appointees have a much better shot of getting a big pay boost. Select the Your Employee Services > AZPerforms bookmark. As of last summer, the state workforce is down by 4,862 employees since Ducey took office, to 33,222. This widespread removal of protections made possiblemass firings during the Ducey administration in a quest to shrink government. Doug Ducey on Tuesday signed the $18 billion budget into law that makes hefty investments in education, border security and infrastructure. Pass it along to the KTAR News team here. Marisol Garcia, Vice President of the Arizona Education Association, speaks during a news conference at the Arizona capitol Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Phoenix. Any hours in excess of the maximum carryover limits are subject to forfeiture. Tuesday, November 8, 2022, is the General Election and all state government employees are encouraged to vote. The budget does have a specific sensitivity to how the COVID-19 outbreak has highlighted the shortage of nurses in the state. The fiscal year 2023 budget was. PHOENIX Arizona Gov. Every single budgets bad, Gray said. Please contact a Benefit Options representative by phone at 602-542-5008, toll-free at 1-800-304-3687, by email at [emailprotected] or visit benefitoptions.az.gov. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. 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. But for me, its encouraging that we have actually come together.. As a result, the Arizona Department of Revenue (AZDOR) revised the withholding percentages. The cash of $150 a student for up to three years is designed to help schools improve; if they do not, then the governor will ask the state Department of Education to step in. The Ducey administration has done away with across-the-board pay increases, but has allowed agency directors to award raises and bonuses based on merit. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Department of Economic Security Director Tim Jeffries has canned 168 employees since he was appointed department head in February, a pace of more than four firings a week. Strictly speaking, the state gets no property tax revenues. 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. 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. Doug Ducey to dole out money from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund only to public schools that do not mandate ma, Some legislative and congressional candidates hoping to be on August primary ballot will have to collect signatures with pen and paper to meet. MORE:After firing auditors, state's Revenue agency gave raises to select employees. Both measures will allow laid-off workers to take on more part-time work. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. DeSantis on masks, Districts rebelled against DeSantis: Florida school districts rebel against governor's mask order, presenting political test, What DeSantis wanted: Helped by federal aid, Gov. The other two aircraft would be available to the lieutenant governor, Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, the House Speaker, Senate president and chairs of legislative committees and agency officials. A general wage increase of 3.25% for all employees who fall under WFSE's General Government contract A lump sum payment (determined by base income as of June 30, 2022) for workers employed as of July 1, 2021, who remain employed as of July 1, 2022, and earn less than $99,000 Do I get the lump sum payment if I work part time? Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. It does not call for a second raise or a cut to the number of weeks people can get paid. C.J. Not so much, according to public records obtained by The Arizona Republic. 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. PHOENIX Buoyed by strong state revenues, Gov. "It really was just a stopgap to start trying to stop people from leaving because all the agencies around us have received considerable pay raises and we were still so far behind," Hawkins said. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. You can also choose to enroll in the Delta Dental PPO or opt-out of dental coverage. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Retired state employees would get another one-time, 1% cost-of-living bonus on top of the 3% already approved for this year. 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. Other state employee raises are reflected in the budget bill that is . Tuesday, November 8, 2022, is the General Election and all state government employees are encouraged to vote. Sen. Martin Quezada, a Glendale Democrat, spoke out against plans to spend $335 million for a wall on the southern border, which he said would be useless in stopping people from crossing. Both measures will allow laid-off . Nursing home employees also would reach $15-an-hour minimum pay as part of a 7% increase in Medicaid rates paid nursing homes that was also agreed to Tuesday. This is really just getting on a soap box and vilifying immigrants and creating a political point, Quezada said. The State of Arizona offers a robust array of benefits for State employees, including health and life insurance, short- and long-term disability, employee assistance, wellness programs and much more. "So yeah, well deserved and hopefully it does what the intent was, to try to stop the high number of regrettable attrition that we have, increased retirement, guys going out earlier than they probably would have.". 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