Kansas state employees to officially get a pay raise. Here's what to know about the plan.
State employees will officially be in line for a pay raise, after Gov. Laura Kelly signed the state's wrap-up budget bill Monday.
Lawmakers advanced the multi-billion-dollar proposal to Kelly's desk in the waning days of the legislative session, including the $120 million pay bump for state workers.
Statewide officers, including the governor, attorney general and secretary of state, already have been assured of a pay raise beginning in 2025, as have top judicial branch officials. The Legislature established a binding committee that could recommend their compensation rise.
Legislators, however, waited to evaluate the best way of raising pay for other state employees, seeking to ensure fairness for workers making less than market rate.
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How much is the pay raise for state workers?
The framework comes after a study showed that workers in more than 100 positions were being paid under market rate. Kelly's budget proposed a flat 5% pay raise but also more targeted boosts to those most behind the going rate.
Under the proposal enacted Monday, individuals whose positions are deemed to be 10% or more below the established market will be brought up to that 10% figure or given a 5% raise, whichever is higher. Those making about market rate will receive a flat 5% raise and individuals with a salary above 10% of market rate will get only a 2.5% pay hike.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Kansas Highway Patrol will get a 2.5% raise in addition to other scheduled compensation increases, but statewide officials, legislators and judges won't.
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Workers at state prisons, mental health hospitals and veterans' homes will get a flat 5% raise in addition to adjustments based on the job market.
And employees at the state's public universities have access to a $13 million pool of money available for merit pay increases.
"I am proud of this bipartisan, fiscally responsible budget that will bolster our state’s workforce, improve roads and expand high-speed internet, and provide essential mental health resources for our students," Kelly said in a statement.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Budget with Kansas state employee pay raise signed by Laura Kellly
