The House Majority Leader says his caucus has some concerns about a new state employee pay package.
The Senate approved the package – which was originally proposed by Governor Dalrymple. It includes money to bring some state employees’ pay up to what the market pays for similar jobs.
House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R-Farg) says that raises concerns.
"When you establish a benchmark, and you deal with 100 percent of market equity, that always becomes a question," said Carlson. "Today, we're at about 92 percent of market. We think we should be at around 95 percent of market."
Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner (R-Dickinson) is supporting the Governor's pay plan.
"It's kinda tough when you can't hire someoneto run the snowplows out there, because they're all driving truck for an oil company," said Wardner. "We can't compete with those wages."
Gov. Dalrymple’s pay package recommendation is $128 million over two years.