Three Bismarck Legislators have a bill ready to give state employees raises in the 2019-2021 biennium.
It was drafted by the Bismarck District 32 Republican legislators – Sen. Dick Dever, Rep. Pat Heinert and Rep Lisa Meier.
Under their bill, state workers would get an across-the-board $300 a month raise in the first year of the biennium. Heinert said that figure comes from a look back at what state workers received in previous years.
"Because they did not receive salary increases for the past two years, because of a downtick in the economy, we tried to give some of that back, and give them something for the future," Heinert said.
Heinert also said just giving a percentage raise would treat employees differently.
"We thought a one-time flat salary increase would be the most beneficial for the majority of the employees," Heinert said.
In the second year, it would be a one percent raise – but that would be tied to employee performance.
"Because we did a flat $300 the first year, we felt like we were taking something away from the administartive core of each of the agencies, not allowing them to be flexible with salaries," Heinert said. "We wanted to let the department heads reward employees who are doing an excellent job."
Heinert said it's important that state workers get something – after having gone the past two years without raises.
"With the uptick in the economy, we're going to see more and more job openings," Heinert said. "We just don't want to lose our state employees."
Gov. Doug Burgum and Legislative leaders have already talked about raises for state employees.
