By J.L. MILLER
The News Journal
01/27/2005
Gov. Ruth Ann Minner will propose a $31.7 million pay raise today in her 2006 budget, a plan that would boost pay for state workers by an average of 5.4 percent.
The raises are tilted to benefit workers at the bottom of the pay scale, with those in the lowest pay grade getting a 9 percent raise. Those at the top would get 4.5 percent.
That would keep state workers at least in step with the projected inflation rate for 2006, which is about 4 percent, with the majority well ahead of it.
Under Minner's proposal, which was circulated to lawmakers Wednesday, all state employees would get a 2 percent increase or $1,100, whichever is greater. In addition, those whose salary is below the maximum in their pay grade would be moved up 2 percent through the salary range.
Michael Begatto, executive director of Council 81 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, was pleased with the proposal.
"It's $31.7 million, which is a big, big chunk of money," Begatto said. "The average increase is about 5.4 percent - that's big, too."
Moving employees upward in the salary range "is really going to help," he said, because many employees have been stuck below the midpoint. "This is a prime example of the governor's commitment to, as she calls them, 'my state employees,' " Begatto said.
Jimmie Bush, a state custodial worker, said he was encouraged by Minner's proposal.
"It's a lot better than the 2 or 3 percent raises we've been getting," he said. "This looks really good. I'm not going to be going on a cruise with this, but it helps."
The pay plan got a less enthusiastic reception from Howard Weinberg, executive director of the 11,000-member Delaware State Education Association.
"Off the top of my head, it [2 percent raise] is less than we had hoped for, and our organization's focus was a 5 percent increase for education employees. This certainly falls short," Weinberg said. "Five percent I believe is a reachable goal."
He said he looks forward to working with legislators to try to raise the proposed increase.
Rep. Joe Di Pinto, R-Wilmington West, said Minner's proposal is "certainly something that gets us started."
Di Pinto, who co-chairs the Joint Finance Committee that writes the budget bill each year, said the amount of the raise could be affected by the May and June revenue estimates compiled by the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council. His committee uses those estimates to prepare the budget bill.
However, he applauded Minner's attempt to boost salaries for workers at the lower end of the wage scale and to move people up the salary scale.
"I'm favorably disposed toward it. It represents something we can work with," Di Pinto said.
As for Weinberg's complaint that 2 percent is too low, he replied, "It's traditional to start somewhere in there, to start conservatively." Two percent will be a starting point for lawmakers, but not necessarily the final number, he said.
Contact J.L. Miller at 678-4271 or jlmiller@delawareonline.com.
