Gov. Perdue today announced that North Carolina state employees won’t be getting a pay raise in this summer’s budget. Perdue did, however, mention the possibility of paying back the unpaid two-day furlough from last year; but that remains in doubt.
Perdue’s administration writes the first draft of the state budget every year, and lawmakers then make substantial changes before passing it. In this case, though, legislative leaders already agreed with Perdue on forgoing raises. They expressed caution about paying back the $65 million to $70 million in furlough money.
“It depends on the economy,” said Rep. Mickey Michaux, a Durham Democrat and senior budget committee chairman. “I would gladly consider it, but that’ll be tempered by what [revenue] we’re bringing in.”
The governor did not comment on whether any state workers will lose their jobs this year, an issue on which they had conflicting messages recently.
Wow!! They haven’t had a raise since 2007. I mean really? All state employees deserve a raise and it should be the same across the board…meaning that state troopers shouldn’t get anymore than say a correctional officer or someone who picks up trash. They all have an important job to do. Maybe Perdue should come out of her pocket and pay a few salaries. Oh wait she is not running for re-election so why would she?
One day the idiots in government will realize that if you don’t pay your employees then you get an employee that just don’t care and doesn’t work nearly as hard as someone who is rewarded for their work! So another year of waste thanks to good ole Bev.