News Release
January 26, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Employee Pay Raise Sent to Governor

(State Capitol, Phoenix) – Senate President Ken Bennett and House Speaker Jim Weiers announced today the passage by the Legislature of a measure to provide state employees with their largest pay increase in a generation at 6.3%. The Legislature’s pay package awards a $1,650 flat dollar increase and a 2.5% performance pay hike.

The performance pay provisions of the legislation requires the establishment of measures that, at a minimum, assess and track the quality of service the state’s agencies provide to Arizona’s citizens.

House Bill 2661 also exempts from the state merit system newly hired employees at the highest pay grades who join the state beginning January 1, 2007.

The Republican-controlled Legislature attached an emergency clause that allows the increase to go into effect March 11.

President Bennett said, “Today we have passed a measure that puts a premium on the performance of quality work, reforms the state’s merit system, and provides more money for state employees.”

Speaker Weiers said, “Arizona state workers get a much-needed pay raise. And not one that starts months down the line. The Legislature is sending a message that our state employees deserve this money and now.”

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For further information contact:
Nick Simonetta, Communications and Policy Advisor to the Majority
 Arizona State Senate
Office: (602) 926-5418, e-mail: nsimonet@azleg.gov
OR
Barrett Marson, Director of Communications
 Arizona House of Representatives
Office: (602) 926-3233, e-mail: bmarson@azleg.gov