Legislature(1999 - 2000)
2000-05-04 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3740 SB 3002 SENATE BILL NO. 3002 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act relating to the compensation of certain public officials, officers, and employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Fiscal note published today from Office of the Governor. Governors transmittal letter dated May 4: Dear President Pearce: Following the historical practice of extending collective bargaining agreements to non-represented state employees, I am transmitting this bill relating to salaries for partially exempt and exempt employees in the Executive branch, as well as legislative and judicial employees. The bill provides for modest cost-of-living increases similar to those provided in the collective bargaining agreements that my Administration negotiated: a lump sum payment of $1,200 for FY2001 (reduced by $50 for any pay period the employee was not in pay status during FY2000); a 2% increase in fiscal year 2002; and a 3% increase in fiscal year 2003. The bill also clarifies that the employees of the University of Alaska who are not members of a collective bargaining unit are entitled to receive salary increases according to Board of Regents policy. I believe these modest increases are fair. The yearly increases of approximately 2%, 2% and 3% are far below most federal and local government contracts. In response to recent low oil revenues, last year state workers had no increase and for the last four years had increases less than half the cost of living. We all know it is necessary to keep state compensation competitive in an environment where private, federal and local employers have made significantly larger gains. 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3741 SB 3002 These modest increases will maintain parity in state employee pay and help all three branches of government recruit and retain qualified employees. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor