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. Every single budget's bad, Gray said. Deputy Chief Investment Officer. Updated: 6:21 AM MST June 23, 2022 State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. And it puts another $425 million in the rainy day fund to help the state weather a potential recession. Jeffrey Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, said the premium pay is sorely needed at the agency that not only patrols state highways but does investigations, runs a crime lab and does many other law enforcement jobs. Boyer, who started as a Senate staffer and has been a lawmaker for a decade, said this is the first bipartisan budget in at least 15 years. This is really just getting on a soap box and vilifying immigrants and creating a political point, Quezada said. Gov. "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.". 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. (File photo by Howard Fischer/For the Miner). When the dust settled on the budget, it was education funding that persuaded Democrats. The Legislature set aside $84 million for much-needed job-class-specific pay increases. It is unclear whether Gov. May 4, 2022. In the House, fiscal conservatives railed against the new spending, particularly the money dedicated for highway construction projects. Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. Both measures will allow laid-off workers to take on more part-time work. As part of House Bill 1, also known as the executive branch budget, state employees will receive an 8% across-the-board raise in the next fiscal year. A separate bill giving locality pay was scrapped in favor of this bill. Some Republicans have said the hefty bonuses are only an election-year stunt from Lamont, a Democrat, to shore up his standing with his labor base. He citied Boyers leadership, your stubbornness, your perseverance, for reaching the deal. Despite an eventual agreement on the budget, Democratic members tried but failed to introduce a number of amendments to budget bills to introduce a litany of policy changes such as, extending family and medical leave benefits, UPDATED Trumps fake electors: Heres the full list, How David Stevens is making Cochise County a 'laboratory', A GOP showdown over the debt limit could grip Congress and. Ducey is seeking a permanent 15% raise for state troopers, 20% for juvenile and adult corrections employees and pay boosts for several other agencies that total nearly $250 million a year. Bipartisan budget boosts school funding, state employee pay raises, transportation. Cities and counties in Arizona are also struggling to fill positions because of low pay, and Ducey said in his state of the state address last week that his 15% pay hike would make troopers the best paid officers in the state. "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.". State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. 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. One of the most exciting elements of the MLB offseason is the Arizona Fall League, which began its 30th season Monday. The new judges will be split between divisions based in Phoenix and Tucson. The merit raises are separate from cost of living increases sometimes approved by the Legislature. 0. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. In the House of Representatives, most of the budget bills garnered at least 40 votes in the 60-member chamber. The bonuses, the GOP argued, are hardly the key to retaining workers, as the governor and other Democrats claim. Lawmakers haven't forgotten the dire days of crafting a budget when facing a $1 billion shortfalleight years ago or after the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009. The Associated Press learned of the moneys use when an updated report on the governors use of virus relief funds was posted by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, which provides non-partisan analysis of state finances to lawmakers. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. While supporters backed raises for state employees and public safety workers as a recruitment tool, opponents questioned why raises for judges were necessary. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror. The budget also makes a $1.1 billion deposit into the pension fund for public safety and corrections officers, paying off the states unfunded liability for future retirement benefits. She says one day, federal money will run out, so states need to start thinking long-term. The agency pays its starting troopers about $57,000 a year, and the new 15% stipend gets them to $65,000, Hawkins said. Additionally, the States workforce has declined by more than 1,500 employees in the last two years. There's another $1 billion dedicated to 53road projects, from a sound wall along the Loop 101 near 16th Streetin north Phoenix to an interchange where Loop 303 meets Interstate 17 to roundabout improvements in Prescott Valley. State law gives the board the autonomy to change employee classifications and pay plans. By: Jim Small and Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 23, 2022 5:24 am. PHOENIX Governor Doug Ducey today expressed appreciation and gratitude for state workers on Arizona State Employee Recognition Day, thanking them for their dedication to serving the residents of one of the fastest-growing states. Ducey is seeking similar permanent raises for troopers and at other agencies in the budget proposal he released on Friday. |. Here are some highlights about what's in the spending plan. AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, Republican fighting over promises, big spending stalls Arizona budget plan as deadline looms, House vote puts Arizona on cusp of largest school voucher program in US, Theadditional inflation effects you should know, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Kay Ivey approved of the step changes prior to the boards decision. Bipartisan budget boosts school funding, state employee pay raises, transportation. All rights reserved. Reachreporter Mary Jo Pitzl atmaryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.comand follow her on Twitter@maryjpitzl. That is one provision I am glad to see in here, Rep. Reginald Bolding, D-Phoenix, remarked, adding that Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, had been instrumental in getting the measure, which will allow agencies to request DPS to conduct independent investigations, into the criminal justice portion of the state budget. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. Certain occupations, such as corrections officers, Department of Child Safety case workers and highway patrol officers will get more on top of that. Theres plenty in the budget Ducey can brag about as accomplishments for his final year in office: The deposit into the rainy day fund, over $200 million for border security, raises for state employees and public safety workers. Despite an eventual agreement on the budget, Democratic members tried but failed to introduce a number of amendments to budget bills to introduce a litany of policy changes such as same-day voter registration, upping penalties for price gouging and extending family and medical leave benefits. State workers get a 10% pay raise, the first across-the-board pay hike in more than a decade. Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. A proposed expansion of a tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it. The cost of living in each state; She says Arizona normally offers 26 weeks of payments; about the same as other states. Two bills are moving through the Arizona legislature that could bring more money to unemployment earners. A Silver Alert was issued Tuesday evening for a 80-year-old man with a medical condition last seen in Queen Creek. Republicans last year cut $1.7 billion in income taxes. Doug Ducey is expected to sign the $18 billion budget approved by the Legislature this week. The budget also gives raises to judges throughout the court system, from Superior Court up to Supreme Court, costing about $3 million a year, according to budget documents. I believe this is the best Democratic, bloated-full-of-pork budget that our money could have ever paid for, Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction, said in the early hours Thursday as he voted against the budget. News Release. WebHeres an example of the formula to be used for a qualified retiree with 20 years of service at the time of retirement: $11.49 X 20 years of service = $229.80 annual PBI, divided by 12 months = $19.15 increase to monthly benefit payment. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. The latest Arizona headlines, national news events of the day + sports, weather, and traffic updates. 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. This is really just getting on a soap box and vilifying immigrants and creating a political point, Quezada said. The improbable bipartisanship was enabled by an unprecedented surplus topping $5 billion, allowing for a broad array of new spending and savings. Please reload the page and try again. PHOENIX - Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down long-term debts. The governor in2016 signed a bill expanding the Arizona Supreme Court to seven judges from five, saying it would improve efficiency even as the chief justice at the time objected, citing more dire court needs. $225,000.05. Arizona's unemployment payments haven't been raised in 17 years, but this year two bills are being considered by lawmakers that could move the state up a bit, from second-lowest pay to 38th place. 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. Web2022 Top Companies; Morning Scoop. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. He has also served as the editor and executive director of the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. Amplifying the voices of Arizonans whose stories are unheard; shining a light on the relationships between people, power and policy; and holding public officials to account. For 2023, lawmakers approved a 4% raise for state employees. Take away federal money and pandemic extensions, and Arizona is left with a bare-bones unemployment insurance system. State lawmakers worked overnight and passed a $15.6 billion budget in the early morning hours of June 23. Ducey is seeking a permanent 15% raise for state troopers, 20% for juvenile and adult corrections employees and pay boosts for several other agencies that total nearly $250 million a year. In a letter to agencies explaining the increases, the board said about 7,500 employees are topped out in their current pay range, and the turnover rate exceeds 17%. Last Name (Optional First Name with no comma), Arizona State Retirement System (employees), Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, Psychiatric Medical Program Administrator, Health Care Cost Containment System - AHCCCS. Get CT Mirror briefings with enterprise reporting, investigations and more in your inbox daily. Updated: 6:21 AM MST June 23, 2022 State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) For 2023, lawmakers approved a 4% raise for state employees. Those tax credits will be adjusted for inflation, increasing the savings to donors. Each year includes a 2.5% general wage increase, as well as a step hike for all but the most senior workers. Arizona state employees get raises without needed OKs. Now, this budget isnt perfect. TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - On Friday, Jan. 15, Arizona Gov. 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. Republicans and Democrats joined forces early Thursday morning to pass a $15.8 billion budget that significantly increases K-12 funding and caps off a week of intense negotiations as state lawmakers scrambled to approve a spending plan and avert a state government shutdown on July 1. It was not a great situation," said Lisa Rowan, a consumer finance reporter with Forbes Advisor. By: Jim Small and Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 23, 2022 5:24 am. Thats when more stringent limits on state retirement benefits, negotiated as part of a 2017 concessions deal with unions, take effect. WebDeputy Chief Investment Officer. WebDeputy Chief Investment Officer. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Arizona state officials gave pay raises to 169 government workers without getting the required approval from the Department of State law gives the board the autonomy to change employee classifications and pay plans. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. The package of budget bills passed with overwhelming support, highly unusual in the modern era. For me its encouraging that we have actually come together, and my hope is that the next term will have that same consensus, he said, adding that it shows compromise is possible. The six new judges will cost the state $4.5 million a year, but about half that in the upcoming year because terms begin in January 2023, according a budget summary from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Rowan has spent the last few months going through unemployment data from states, giving context to the problems we are seeing now. Arizona Department of Administration. 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