Ways and Means acknowledges DAS compensation-plan changes; senator issues courtesy 'no' over labor cost concerns
Summary
The committee received a Department of Administrative Services report outlining selective compensation increases and an underfilled differential for several employee groups, with an estimated cost of $2.5 million for 2023-25 and $5.9 million for 2025-27; one senator registered a courtesy 'no' citing budget balance concerns.
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means acknowledged receipt of a Department of Administrative Services (DAS) report on Feb. 5 detailing selective compensation changes and a newly proposed underfilled differential for several executive-branch employee groups.
DAS told the General Government Subcommittee the changes cover SEIU Local 503, the Association of Engineering Employees, Executive Service Unclassified Excluded, Management Service Employees, and classified and unclassified unrepresented service employees. The department estimated the cost of those changes at $2,500,000 total funds for the 2023–25 biennium and $5,900,000 total funds for the 2025–27 biennium.
Senator Durad registered a courtesy “no” on receipt of the report, saying, “we can't keep jacking up the cost of labor because labor is our major expense.” Durad said the committee’s primary role is to help produce a balanced budget and asked for greater fiscal restraint even while acknowledging some pay changes are justified for specific departments.
The committee clarified that it was only acknowledging receipt of the report and not approving additional funding at the session. After discussion the committee recorded no formal objection to receipt and the record notes the report was acknowledged.
