State Employees

Gov. Sanders authorizes three percent pay increases for state employees

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Gov. Sarah Sanders on Friday (June 14) authorized a three percent adjustment for pay increases for state employees, effective June 23, 2024. In a letter to state workers, Sanders also outlined a one percent base salary merit raise for executive branch employees and a three percent base salary merit raise for state workers who have exceeded performance evaluations.

“Arkansas’ state government runs on you, our state employees. As my administration works to provide exceptional services to the people of Arkansas at a lower cost, we are relying on you to deliver. In the past 18 months, you have facilitated bold changes to state government, and I am incredibly appreciative of your work,” Gov. Sanders said. “As recognition for your accomplishments – and as an acknowledgment of our need to recruit and retain talented public servants – I worked with the legislature to make a one-time, 3% increase to all Arkansas executive branch state employee’s pay. I am authorizing that adjustment to go into effect on June 23.”

In noting the merit pay raises, Sanders said they would apply to state workers who have worked in the executive branch for at least a year, and who have worked at their current executive department since January 2, 2024.

Gov. Sanders authorizes three percent pay increases for state employees

Governor wants rework of state employee classification; won’t support $80 million pay increase

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Gov. Sarah Sanders said Wednesday (March 15) she would not support an $80 million proposal to increase pay for state employees. According to an agency spokesperson, there are 22,913 executive branch state employees in Arkansas.

In a letter to Joseph Wood, Sanders’ Department of Transformation and Shared Services Secretary, she indicated her objection to the plan and called on him to initiate a review of the state employee compensation and classification system.

“As Governor, I have been clear that my goal is to look for ways to boldly reform state government to be more responsive and responsible to the taxpayers of our great state. One of the largest costs for any department within my administration is personnel. There are many good and hard-working Arkansans that are employed by the state to perform essential services and help their fellow citizens. These public servants should be compensated and rewarded through a system based on merit and accomplishment, not solely on years of service,” she said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/03/governor-wants-rework-of-state-employee-classification-compensation-wont-support-80-million-pay-plan-increase/

Committee approves inquiry into salary increase for state employees

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

The Arkansas Legislative Joint Auditing Committee unanimously approved a motion that would allow the Arkansas Legislative Audit to look into a recent 2% salary increase for state employees.

In February, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced a plan to increase state employee pay by 2% as a way to help employees deal with inflation. Franklin Arey, legal counsel for the Arkansas Legislative Audit, explained to lawmakers that the governor has the authority to increase salaries; the concern with the salary increases has to do with the implementation.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-04-08/committee-approves-inquiry-into-salary-increase-for-state-employees

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

The Arkansas Legislative Audit has been approved to look into a recent salary increase for state employees.

Governor Announces Raises For State Employees, New COVID-19 Guidelines For Schools

By SARAH KELLOGG

State employees in Arkansas will soon have the opportunity to earn a raise as a result of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Tuesday a 3% "performance or merit" bonus will be given to state agencies, that in turn will be distributed to their employees based on their work.

According to Hutchinson, this pay amount to state employees is the largest one since he took over as governor, costing the state around $11.2 million dollars in state general revenue and a total of $28 million from "all sources" including federal ones.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/governor-announces-raises-state-employees-new-covid-19-guidelines-schools

The COVID-19 numbers for June 8, 2021.CREDIT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

The COVID-19 numbers for June 8, 2021.

CREDIT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE