The state hopes a new computer program will increase efficiency and allow employees across agencies to work together better. The added funding includes phasing in funding for low-income students starting at $50 million in the upcoming fiscal year and growing to $100 million in three years and special education. That is far short of the $1 billion commitment he made in his State of the State speech. This is what our state, where voters are nearly evenly divided by party affiliation, has long asked of us to work together, said Rep. Reginald Bolding of Laveen, the top Democrat in the House. Now, this budget isnt perfect. Republican leaders had struggled for months to craft a spending plan that could find unanimous support in the fractious GOP caucuses without relying on Democrats. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. KTARs Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives. The average raise for a Ducey staffer was 11 percentsince he took office. DeSantis had called for pouring about $355 million into construction, home-buying and rent relief efforts. 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. You may add/drop dependents and change coverage or carriers. The fiscal year 2023 budget was. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. A proposed expansion of a tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it. The premium pay started flowing to 17,291 of the states approximately 35,000 workers on Nov. 27. The Department of Administration, which functions as state government's human-resources department and works directly for Ducey,gave at least 245 employees roughly half of itsstaff pay raises that average 18 percent, or an $11,496 increase. Virtual meetings will be held at various times throughout February, March and April 2023. Select the Your Employee Services > AZPerforms bookmark. Also on Thursday evening, Senate made its way through its calendar, completing action on six additional bills and passing 11 others that will need to be finalized by the House. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. There also is a separate and as of yet undefined plan to cut business property taxes. Phoenix lawmaker said that gun safety equipment would also be sold free of sales tax. % of gross taxable wages starting January 2023. House budget chair Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, and his Senate counterpart, Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, agreed to the pay raise before getting bogged down amid a host of big ticket items still unsettled across a proposed budget topping $100 billion for only the second time in state history. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Rowan has spent the last few months going through unemployment data from states, giving context to the problems we are seeing now. Updated: 2022-06 . If you had logged in to Y.E.S. Despite failing to meet a late Tuesday deadline to finalize a 2022-23 state budget, House and Senate negotiators did manage to approve a 5.38% pay raise for all state employees, along with setting a new, $15-an-hour minimum wage for these workers. They also agreed to technical changes in a formula for distributing money to schools and $4 million each for school testing and 2022 election costs. It allows state and local governments to boost pay by up to $13 per hour for essential workers and allows a maximum per-employee amount of $25,000. As a result, the Arizona Department of Revenue (AZDOR) revised the withholding percentages. "State employees have stepped up and answered the call of public service. Aides said the most likely targeted areas are in Cochise County where ranchers have property right up against the international boundary. 100 N 15th Ave, #301. Those fences also will feature no trespassing signs, a move that the Governors Office said is designed to allow police to prosecute those crossing the border illegally under state charges. Cleaning house: DES director fires 72 for being bullies, but did he go too far? A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Instead, they are looking at a chain-link fence, similar to what is around state prisons. The State of Arizona offers a robust array of benefits for State employees, including health and life insurance, short- and long-term disability, employee assistance, wellness programs and much more. For agencies, boards and commissions under the State Personnel System, the maximum number of annual leave hours an employee may carry over into a new calendar year is 320 hours for uncovered employees and 240 hours for covered employees. Lawmakers now are certain to extend the session. Tuesday, November 8, 2022, is the General Election and all state government employees are encouraged to vote. at Revenue, ended up costing the state $83million in lost revenue, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The revised policy would provide the largest percentage increases to . The Senate completed action on a bill Thursday evening that will provide pay raises for state employees whose wages are outlined in state code. Phoenix, AZ 85007. The Pima County Board of Supervisors had eight pay raise proposals to choose from, ranging from a low of 5% to a high of 10%. Every single budget's bad, Gray said. Note 1: Only available if the employee had no tax liability last year and does not expect to have any tax liability in the current year. More information regarding civic duty leave for the purpose of voting, Excess annual leave must be used on or before, to avoid forfeiture of excess hours. He pointed to officer pay in Texas and California, where rookie California Highway Patrol officers start at $93,000 a year. pay raises that average 18 percent, or an $11,496 increase. Doug Ducey wants to grant pay raises to nearly half of all state employees, with an emphasis on boosting salaries for law enforcement and corrections officers. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. The Arizona Legislature on Tuesday began considering a $15.6 billion state budget package that pays down more than $1.2 billion in state debt but keeps in place most of a nearly $800 budget gimmick from the Great Recession, boosts road construction, border security and other spending but falls short of what education advocates say is needed to fund K-12 public schools. TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - On Friday, Jan. 15, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey was expected to approve it. 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. The Senate completed action on a bill Thursday evening that will provide pay raises for state employees whose wages are outlined in state code. Floridas Republican-led Legislature has historically proved stingy with pay raises to public employees, many years doling out no annual hikes and keeping salaries low. Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. Duceys budget director, Matt Gress, informed the Republican Senate president and House speaker of his decision to tap the funds for premium pay in a Dec. 9 letter. "If you make a whole ton of money and you're on unemployment, the most you're going to get is $240 a week to be able to pay your bills," said Rowan. It's illegal for Gov. Two-thirds of Arizona is no longer experiencing drought conditions, an abrupt change following a surprisingly wet winter. As of last summer, the state workforce is down by 4,862 employees since Ducey took office, to 33,222. And it puts another $425 million in the rainy day fund to help the state weather a potential recession. Likely there will be some sort of compromise concerning the two state bills. To keep your FSA for healthcare, limited purpose, or daycare/elder care, you must re-enroll each year. 40 workers fired by ex-DES chief may get jobs back Employees and managers can monitor annual leave balances by logging in to YES and clicking on, Agency Human Resources Contact Information, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, Arizonas Employees Have New Tax Withholding Options. The Cigna DHMO Dental plan is changing to the UnitedHealthcare Solstice S800B DHMO (UHC Solstice). Republicans last year cut $1.7 billion in income taxes. This is really just getting on a soap box and vilifying immigrants and creating a political point, Quezada said. Jan 14, 2022 Updated Feb 19, 2023 PHOENIX Buoyed by strong state revenues, Gov. Find in Google Maps Arizona House Republicans back universal school voucher expansion, Arizona Legislature begins hearings on state budget plan as deadline looms, Surprisingly wet winter pulls most of Arizona out of drought conditions, Annual Folk and Heritage Festival coming to Glendales Sahuaro Ranch Park this weekend, Phoenix passes source-of-income housing discrimination ban, Police arrest student for bringing firearm to high school in Phoenix, Walmart Health unveils plan to open 6 centers in metro Phoenix, Southwest farmers reluctant to idle farmland to save water, Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices, Sports gambling can be fun for adults, but its a dangerous game for children, Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays. The Senate is adjourned until Monday, March 6, at 11 a.m. Even mail clerks at the states prisons are getting 20% premium pay. Pass it along to the KTAR News team here. Keep reading with a digital access subscription. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. She says it's the actual payment amounts that put Arizona at the bottom of her list. Arizona lawmakers approve bipartisan $18 billion budget, Arizona DPS trooper praised for saving driver, Pima County man sentenced second time to life in prison for deadly shooting, Man charged with murder after girlfriends 1-year-old son dies, Suspect killed in Tucson officer-involved shooting, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at 61. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. The premiums remain the same, but the provider network is different.. We will automatically move you to the UHC Solstice plan if you are enrolled in the Cigna DHMO. It raises pay in January 2022 to $300 and raises employer premiums. Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, is proposing a further reduction in that flat tax, to $1.5 billion. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. The increases are tied to job performance and employees could increase two steps, or 5%, on his or her employment anniversary date. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. 2.5-3% is an average salary increase in many sectors, including the government sector where federal employees will receive a base pay. $400 million to complete another 20 miles of upgrading I-10 to three lanes in each direction between Casa Grande and Sun Lakes; $50 million for communities outside Pima and Maricopa counties to leverage federal dollars for shovel-ready transportation projects; $92 million for building repairs and upgrades in the state prison system; $8.2 million to increase the number of Adult Protective Services caseworkers; $177 million for projects at state parks, about half for sewage treatment systems, though $118 million of that is coming from federal cash. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. Ducey appointee hands out big raises, bonuses. The firings of more than 100 auditors and collectors, who were among the lowest-paid employees at Revenue, ended up costing the state $83 million in lost revenue. With this budget, were putting those dollars to good use and investing in priorities that Republicans and Democrats alike can agree on.. As new information becomes available related to submitting a new 2023 A4, it will be published here. Annual renewal required. Tags: Associated Press, legislation, business, property taxes, Arizona, education, state budgets. Doug Ducey on Tuesday signed the $18 billion budget into law that makes hefty investments in education, border security and infrastructure. They also agreed to technical changes in a formula for distributing money to schools and $4 million each for school testing and 2022 election costs. This is your TASC card account. Arizona has a legal right to challenge a federal provision that forbids using COVID relief money for tax cuts, appeals court rules. 23/06/2022 State employees will get a raise many for the first time in a decade. Updated: 6:21 AM MST June 23, 2022 ARIZONA, USA Editor's note: The above video aired during a previous broadcast. 2023-01-02. . Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. Will ct state employees get a raise in 2022 22 feb 2022 northeast region abbreviations northeast region abbreviations Will ct state employees get a raise in 2022. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. NOTE:Employees have the option to update their A-4 at any time during the tax year but are encouraged to consult with their tax advisor related to these new updates from AZDOR to determine how they may be affected. The firings of more than 100 auditors and collectors, who were among the lowest-paid employees at Revenue, ended up costing the state $83million in lost revenue. Please review your AZ state withholding election again and make any change if you choose to. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. Arizonas individual income tax rates were substantially reduced starting with the 2022 tax year. More information regarding civic duty leave for the purpose of voting. Though details are still being worked out, the $100 million proposal seeks to help Arizona schoolchildren catch up in math, reading and other skills. The budget also includes $160 million to start work on increasing the states water supply. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, last year successfully pushed to bring state workers up to a minimum $13 hourly wage. The 33rd annual Glendale Folk and Heritage Festival will bring hundreds of performers to Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park Saturday and Sunday. Department of Economic Security Director Tim Jeffries has canned 168 employees since he was appointed department head in February, a pace of more than four firings a week. The state Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry and the Department of Public Safety have been struggling to hire and retain officers, in part because of wages that are low or uncompetitive. Due to this change, every employee isrequiredto fill out a new Arizona A-4 form effective for wages paid after January 1, 2023 unless they qualify to complete: A-4VVoluntary Withholding Request for Arizona Resident Employed Outside Arizona, WECWithholding Exemption Certificate for Arizona Nonresidents, WECIWithholding Exemption Certificate, Native Americans with Instructions, WECMWithholding Exemption Certificate for Military Spouses. Right now, you can only earn $30 before benefits are reduced. But for me, its encouraging that we have actually come together.. GOP and Democratic leaders agreed to add $526 million in new ongoing funding for K-12 schools, a substantial increase from the GOPs initial proposal. The budget is not sound and its not reflective of my conservative values, Ugenti-Rita said. With the holidays approaching, it's important to know when your home is in need of heating and plumbing updates before more guests start to come around. Those who have voted against it say they want to see a restructuring of DES before handing them more money. 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. In another dramatic move, lawmakers dropped a House-backed $200 million redistribution of funds from 12 counties that defied Gov. The Arizona Legislature on Tuesday began considering a $15.6 billion state budget package that pays down more than $1.2 billion in state debt but keeps in place most of a nearly $800 budget gimmick from the Great Recession, boosts road construction, border security and other spending but falls short of what education advocates say is needed to fund K-12 public schools. "Arizona came in second to last. Any hours in excess of the maximum carryover limits are subject to forfeiture. C.J. The agency has 448 vacancies out of nearly 2,300 approved positions and Ducey wants to spend $31 million a year on DPS raises alone, according to the governors office. Over the last eight years, Arizona has made responsible decisions to live within our means, reduce burdensome government regulations and increase trust in our citizens and the result is a booming economy with record revenues. While adults may find that sports gambling is a way to enhance the experience with more than just fandom on the line, it can be a dangerous proposition if children get involved in the activity. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. With the increase, Fann's bill cuts benefits from 26 to 22 weeks once unemployment is back under 4.5%. Prior efforts to stabilize Arizona's water supply have come up short. That has proven a a nonstarter among lawmakers who have to go to those same homeowners every two years to get reelected. "Arizona is resilient, and we . It allows state and local governments to. Any existing additional dollar amounts an employee had chosen to be withheld will not be changed. . Pursuant to State laws and rules, state employees may receive paid leave in order to exercise their voting privileges under certain conditions. For more information, refer to the news story from AZDOR:Arizonas Employees Have New Tax Withholding Options. It appears those who are close to Gov. So, what's the best way to get a raise if you work for the state of Arizona? You do not have to take any action. Simpson, the Senate president, is running for the post of Agriculture Commissioner later this year and the spending provision sought by his chamber would not take effect until January 2023, when he could potentially be in charge of the department. You do not need to re-enroll to keep your current coverage elections for 2023. But for me, its encouraging that we have actually come together.. In K-12 education, negotiators reached general agreement on an almost $385-per-student increase in school funding an almost 5% boost that would bring funding to an average $8,143 for each of Florida's 2.9 million school kids. That includes money for grants to schools for needed repairs as well as cash to begin three new high schools at Marana, Pima and Nadaburg school districts. PHOENIX (AP) Arizonas 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. Note: Elective benefits for new employees may be subject to a 90-day waiting period. It also eliminates the state equalization tax, a property tax for education, and backfills it with $330 million from the general fund. May 4, 2022 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. A proposed expansion of a tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it. Kathryn Palmer. For. 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. Ducey proposes pay raises for nearly half of state employees in $11.4 billion budget Gov. But those salary adjustments aren't equal for all. Department of Administration Human Resources. Forty workers let go by the now-fired head of the Department of Economic Security got an early Christmas gift Friday: Theyre going to get their jobs back. $5 million in 20 percent pay raises for Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections officers. This widespread removal of protections made possiblemass firings during the Ducey administration in a quest to shrink government. But lawmakers have reduced that amount, targeting $209.5 million for housing initiatives, but limiting rental assistance efforts to about $100 million, with another $100 million establishing a hometown heroes program helping first responders, teachers and nurses with down payment assistance. Duceys plan also includes $58 million to help low-performing schools those rated D or F by the state Department of Education as well as some C-rated schools where 60% or more of the students come from low-income households. between 12/31/22 and 01/03/23 at 1 pm, the rate you may have seen may have been incorrect. The budget also makes a $1.1 billion deposit into the pension fund for public safety and corrections officers, paying off the state's unfunded liability for future retirement benefits. That includes $544 million for border security, roughly half of it for a wall, and $1 billion for highway construction, including widening Interstate 10 north of Casa Grande. Republicans last year cut $1.7 billion in income taxes. Your Excess Annual Leave balances in YES will not be updated this upcoming pay period. The Supreme Court has rejected appeals from Arizona and Nevada involving the rights of same-sex couples. That includes the nearly $26 million for would-be nurses to go to the accelerated nursing program at Creighton University, with students having to promise to work at a hospital in Arizona for four years. Ducey also wants to put $50 million into border security, paying for more officers to patrol the area and help fund counties with the cost of detaining and prosecuting people for state crimes. Arizona state employee raises 2022. A salary increase with a chosen percent pay increase. The previous Form A-4 withholding rates are no longer representative of the new lower income tax rates. This equals the increase in the Consumer Price Index, a key measure of inflation. Other priorities in the governors program include: $248 million for targeted pay raises for state workers. Marisol Garcia, Vice President of the Arizona Education Association, speaks during a news conference at the Arizona capitol Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Phoenix. Tune in to FOX 10 Phoenixfor the latestnews: By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Using the money to provide premium pay for essential workers is allowed under terms of the virus relief law signed by the Democratic president last March. Posted: 4:27 PM, Jun 28, 2022 . Gov. Gov. The Arizona Legislature on Tuesday began considering a $15.6 billion state budget package that pays down more than $1.2 billion in state debt but keeps in place most of a nearly $800 budget. Learn about Deferred Compensation and how this important employee benefit can assist you in Saving for the Future. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Arizona tax rates have decreased and as a result, AZDOR has revised withholding percentages and is requiring taxpayers to complete a new Form A-4 for 2023. Here are five things to know about state-government pay raises: The state has not given across-the-board pay hikes to its employees since fiscal 2013, when then-Gov. Reach the reporter at craig.harris@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8478 or on Twitter @charrisazrep. 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. Ironically, it was the Legislature's most conservative lawmakers who forced the hands of GOP leaders when they balked at initial, smaller spending proposals. Duceys office routinely issues news releases when he allocates cash from the pot of COVID-19 relief money he controls, but that wasnt done this time. Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early. You have permission to edit this article. Ducey listed water, education, and border security as his priorities. $227 million in new K-12 funding above and behind whats required to keep pace with enrollment growth and inflation; $127 million for higher education, including $46 million for economy workforce initiatives at the three universities to prepare students for careers in future jobs; About $26 million to for would-be nursing students to attend the privately run Creighton University to help staff Arizona hospitals; About $26 million to increase the amount of money given to people who agree to take care of relatives instead of them going into foster care or congregate care settings. The bill now heads to the Governors desk to await his signature to become law. Long-serving state employees may be eligible for pay increases of up to 10% over the next few years. 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. 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 the University of Arizona. Most of the spending increases that were included in the FY 2022 budget are one- time (versus ongoing), which ho nors a core tenet of the Governor's focus on fiscal sustainability and avoiding over-burdening the State's budget, as was done in the mid -2000s with disastrous fiscal consequences. PHOENIX (AP) Arizonas 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. Other state employee raises are reflected in the budget bill that is . Take away federal money and pandemic extensions, and Arizona is left with a bare-bones unemployment insurance system. The cost of living, while going up, is still lower than in other areas. Tuesday, November 8, 2022, is the General Election and all state government employees are encouraged to vote. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Lawmakers also agreed to technical changes in a formula for distributing money to schools and $4 million each for school testing and 2022 election costs. State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) tweeted on Monday, "Arizona's version of @JoeBiden's Build Back Broke (aka the legislature's . And it puts another $425 million in the rainy day fund to help the state weather a potential recession. That includes $544 million for border security, roughly half of it for a wall, and $1 billion for highway construction, including widening Interstate 10 north of Casa Grande. I was told the choice is that bill or more investment in K-12 schools, and I chose our K-12 public schools.. Fiscal Year 2022-23 The Arizona State Retirement System Board of Trustees announced Friday, November 12, 2021 that qualified retirees will receive a Permanent Benefit Increase (PBI) to their monthly annuities, beginning with their July 2022 benefit check.