Both are leaving the Legislature after this year. As a result, the Arizona Department of Revenue (AZDOR) revised the withholding percentages. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport, This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Legislative session: Pay raises OK'd for state workers in Florida, Life Cover+ Multiple Benefits in one plan, GOP lawmaker aims to strip state funding from school districts 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. Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. Any hours in excess of the maximum carryover limits are subject to forfeiture. The Governors Office estimates that 577,000 Arizonans will qualify at a cost of $74 million a year. And just over a month ago, this is exactly what happened in Arizona, as former state CIO Aaron Sandeen passed the torch to our new state CIO Morgan Reed. PHOENIX Arizona Gov. A starting correctional officer earns just over $35,000 a year before the 20% premium pay. Meanwhile, caseworkers dealing with the state's foster-care crisis got a $1-a-day raise. Rep. John Kavanagh's bill, HB 2131, would override any homeowner association rules requiring lawns to be seeded with real grass. Take away federal money and pandemic extensions, and Arizona is left with a bare-bones unemployment insurance system. Cleaning house: DES director fires 72 for being bullies, but did he go too far? Nursing home employees also would reach $15-an-hour minimum pay as part of a 7% increase in Medicaid rates paid nursing homes that was also agreed to Tuesday. Sen. Sean Bowie, a moderate Phoenix Democrat, joined with moderate Republican Sen. Paul Boyer to push for more school funding, noting that in all more than $1 billion in new school funding was in the plan, with more than half ongoing. It also eliminates the state equalization tax, a property tax for education, and backfills it with $330 million from the general fund. DeSantis, Cabinet members and other state leaders also were helped by budget-writers Tuesday, who agreed to spend $31.3 million to buy two Embraer Phenom 300E executive jets, each with an 11-seat capacity, under legislation awaiting final approval. Ducey hailed the deal, saying his policies of limited spending and regulation cuts can be credited for the surplus, although massive federal COVID-19 relief money also was a major contributor. Tuesday, November 8, 2022, is the General Election and all state government employees are encouraged to vote. The governors aides say business tax relief is justified based on data they say show that Arizona has the 10th highest industrial property tax rates in the nation. Keep reading with a digital access subscription. 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. 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. Doug Ducey has had a serious negative effect on neighborhoods. John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. 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, hours for covered employees. FOX 10's Matt Galka reports. The governor wants to hire back 25 auditors. Long-serving state employees may be eligible for pay increases of up to 10% over the next few years. Doug Ducey's administration is stepping up the firing of state workers, many of whom can be let go without explanation under a law enacted during his predecessor's administration that revamped the state's personnel system. click the box below and click the Login button under Y.E.S. Be sure to review the dental information above to see if it applies to you. The budget also includes $160 million to start work on increasing the states water supply. Pass it along to the KTAR News team here. The Republican governors office did not announce that he was using cash from President Joe Bidens American Rescue Plan Act to provide 20% pay boosts to the states corrections officers, 15% increases to state troopers and 10% increases to workers at the departments of child safety, economic security, juvenile corrections, transportation and health services. The rest of Arizona'spublic servants? Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. 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. 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. The plan includes a handful of small, targeted tax cuts for farm machines and private planes but no large scale reductions. The average raise for a Ducey staffer was 11 percentsince he took office. "So acknowledging the importance of these positions at this time where staffing is such a big issue across the board, we thought this was a good thing to do.". The 12 districts are Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Sarasota and Volusia counties. For example, Arizona State University is getting $21 million for new programs in engineering, Theres $415 million for the University of Arizona for its programs in health, mining, space and defense, with about $10 million for Northern Arizona University for health care professions. Sen. Martin Quezada, a Glendale Democrat, spoke out against plans to spend $335 million for a wall on the southern border, which he said would be useless in stopping people from crossing. The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 11, at 11 a.m. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. rookie California Highway Patrol officers start at $93,000 a year. Please contact a Benefit Options representative by phone at 602-542-5008, toll-free at 1-800-304-3687, by email at [emailprotected] or visit benefitoptions.az.gov. Doug Ducey is proposing a $14.25 billion spending plan for the new fiscal year, about 8.6% more than this year, including tax cuts aimed at the poor to reward them for working. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. Doug Ducey to dole out money from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund only to public schools that do not mandate ma, Some legislative and congressional candidates hoping to be on August primary ballot will have to collect signatures with pen and paper to meet. All rights reserved. She says it's the actual payment amounts that put Arizona at the bottom of her list. $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. This equals the increase in the Consumer Price Index, a key measure of inflation. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. 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. 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. SB 1411 was introduced by Republican State Senator Karen Fann. Ironically, it was the Legislatures most conservative lawmakers who forced the hands of GOP leaders when they balked at initial, smaller spending proposals. 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. 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. The 33rd annual Glendale Folk and Heritage Festival will bring hundreds of performers to Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park Saturday and Sunday. So prior cuts to business taxes have included some compensating tax relief for homeowners. Other state employee raises are reflected in the budget bill that is expected to be finalized before the end of the Regular Session. The Parks and Revenue departments both gave select staff members significant pay raises after mass firings at both agencies. 2305. 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. Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. It was not a great situation," said Lisa Rowan, a consumer finance reporter with Forbes Advisor. The budget also makes a $1.1 billion deposit into the pension fund for public safety and corrections officers, paying off the states unfunded liability for future retirement benefits. Districts lose dollars because of masks: GOP lawmaker aims to strip state funding from school districts that defied Gov. A proposed expansion of a tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it. Gov. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. DeSantis supported what advocates call the putting parents first initiative, which would have taken millions of dollars from some of the states biggest counties and send the money to Floridas 55 other counties that fell in line with the governor on mask policy. 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. Those who have voted against it say they want to see a restructuring of DES before handing them more money. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. 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. Department of Administration Human Resources. After losing support on the right, House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann had to look elsewhere for votes, and they found them across the aisle. But the fate of dollars for the rural and family lands program remained in flux late Tuesday. 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. 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. Arizona state employee raises 2022. The result is a booming economy with record revenues, Ducey said in a statement. Annual renewal required. 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. The governor this year has proposed to increase education funding in his budget, but teachers say it still makes them among the worst paid in the country. Phoenix lawmaker said that gun safety equipment would also be sold free of sales tax. 2023 FOX Television Stations. 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. PHOENIX Buoyed by strong state revenues, Gov. The Cigna DHMO Dental plan is changing to the UnitedHealthcare Solstice S800B DHMO (UHC Solstice). But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. The Ducey administration has done away with across-the-board pay increases, but has allowed agency directors to award raises and bonuses based on merit. The maximum benefit is about $325 a year, with an average of $128. Both measures will allow laid-off workers to take on more part-time work. Virtual meetings will be held at various times throughout February, March and April 2023. The best states in the U.S. come from coast to coast. If you had logged in to Y.E.S. There is a growing sense that fallowing will have to be part of the solution to the increasingly desperate drought in the West. The Arizona Legislature is rushing to pass a budget before the 2022 session ends in a few days on June 30, but some Republican legislators are balking at agreeing to vote for the 12 budget bills due to the amount of spending: $17.9 billion. Tax cuts and revisiting voided pandemic restrictions also top agenda for new session. 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. $49.1 million for an across-the-board pay . 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. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. The fiscal year 2023 budget was. In his last budget plan, Gov. 1/. But for me, its encouraging that we have actually come together.. PLEASE BE AWARE:To ensure compliance with AZDOR requirements, on 12/30/22, the State will change ALL employee records to the default rate of 2.0%. Ducey gave to staff. This widespread removal of protections made possiblemass firings during the Ducey administration in a quest to shrink government. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. "It really was just a stopgap to start trying to stop people from leaving because all the agencies around us have received considerable pay raises and we were still so far behind," Hawkins said. Doug Ducey was expected to approve it. Find in Google Maps PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Gov. The biggest share of the funds for higher education are linked to training in specialized fields. Note: Elective benefits for new employees may be subject to a 90-day waiting period. Both measures will allow laid-off . The new budget also is built on the premise that the 2.5% flat tax proposal approved last year will, in fact, take effect this year at an annual cost of $1.9 billion despite the fact that foes have gathered enough signatures to delay it until the public can vote on it in November. 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. Arizona Lawmakers Approve Bipartisan $18 Billion Budget, Marisol Garcia, Vice President of the Arizona Education Association, speaks during a news conference at the Arizona capitol Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Phoenix. Excess annual leave must be used on or before Friday, January 6, 2023 to avoid forfeiture of excess hours. After losing support on the right, House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann had to look elsewhere for votes, and they found them across the aisle. They apparently succeeded Tuesday, but still unclear in negotiations was whether teachers and staff in these districts would be eligible for the new school recognition awards. Rick Scott, a multi-millionaire, who had sold the states former air fleet and paid for and used his own jet for state travel. $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. Katie Hobbs first executive order barring discrimination in hiring practices. Doug Ducey, despite lean budget, awards hefty pay raises to his staff, Teachers union to fight for 20 percent raises, just like Gov. Marisol Garcia, Vice President of the Arizona Education Association, speaks during a news conference at the Arizona capitol Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Phoenix. The State Personnel Board last week voted to add four steps of 2.5% to employees' pay structure. Instead, a proposal that looked close to being accepted by the two sides would put the $200 million into a school recognition program that would reward faculty and staff in "highly productive" schools that excelled even amid the challenges of the pandemic. DATABASE:Here's how well Ducey rewarded his staff, agency heads. 2023 www.azcentral.com. Now, this budget isnt perfect. That would be increased to $160. 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. Much of the new money for K-12 education, above inflation and enrollment growth, is earmarked for school capital needs. A Valley teenager was arrested on Friday for bringing a firearm to Moon Valley High School, authorities said. 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. Cities and counties in Arizona are also struggling to fill positions because of low pay, and Ducey said in his state of the state address last week that his 15% pay hike would make troopers the best paid officers in the state. 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. 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. Other state employee raises are reflected in the budget bill that is . 1/. But for me, its encouraging that we have actually come together. The plan includes a handful of small, targeted tax cuts for farm machines and private planes but no large-scale reductions. Updated: 6:21 AM MST June 23, 2022 ARIZONA, USA Editor's note: The above video aired during a previous broadcast. 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. "Arizona is resilient, and we . 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. This is really just getting on a soap box and vilifying immigrants and creating a political point, Quezada said. That is far short of the $1 billion commitment he made in his State of the State speech. PHOENIX (AP) Arizona's 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. 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. You can also choose to enroll in the Delta Dental PPO or opt-out of dental coverage. The plan includes a handful of small, targeted tax cuts for farm machines and private planes but no large scale reductions. C.J. Learn about Deferred Compensation and how this important employee benefit can assist you in Saving for the Future. To keep your FSA for healthcare, limited purpose, or daycare/elder care, you must re-enroll each year. And it puts another $425 million in the rainy day fund to help the state weather a potential recession. 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. Jan Brewer offered 5 percent pay raises to employees who became "uncovered," giving up certain job protections. This widespread removal of protections made possiblemass firings during the Ducey administration in a quest to shrink government. And it puts another $425 million in the rainy day fund to help the state weather a potential recession. 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. There's no need for the biennial signature chase for lawmakers says Rep. David Cook, a Republican lawmaker from Globe, State Sen. Kelly Townsend led the effort to get the attorney general to overturn a Pima County employee vaccine mandate and continues to quest, The attorney general's office is threatening to prosecute and seek to jail Secretary of State Katie Hobbs if she follows through with plan, A Senate panel voted to allow dental patients to get their lips puffed, cheeks filled out and brow wrinkles smoothed where they now get their , For Star subscribers:Gov. The governor wants to hire. It does not call for a second raise or a cut to the number of weeks people can get paid. PHOENIX (AP) Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down. 2.5-3% is an average salary increase in many sectors, including the government sector where federal employees will receive a base pay. Here's how well Ducey rewarded his staff, agency heads. "Arizona came in second to last. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press, By BOB CHRISTIE and JONATHAN J. COOPER, Associated Press. 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. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. Strictly speaking, the state gets no property tax revenues. A proposed expansion of a tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it. The bill now heads to the Governors desk to await his signature to become law. Though details are still being worked out, the $100 million proposal seeks to help Arizona schoolchildren catch up in math, reading and other skills. 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. The increases are tied to job performance and employees could increase two steps, or 5%, on his or her employment anniversary date. Any hours in excess of the maximum carryover limits are subject to forfeiture. Tucson judge declares mistrial for man accused of murdering Isabel Celis, Jesse Wilson: Adoptive mother arrested in boy's death in Arizona, Family shot, killed in murder-suicide before eviction from foreclosed home: police, Phoenix condo fire leaves man and 2 kids dead; two other children in critical condition, Arrest made weeks after deadly Phoenix shooting, Police investigating shots fired incidents at Apache Junction RV resort, Suspect injured following shooting involving DPS trooper near Downtown Phoenix, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Deadly I-17 crash in Phoenix caused by impaired driver, officials say, Family sues Phoenix mortuary following accidental cremation, Man shot in downtown Phoenix, no arrests made, Buckeye mom accused of killing adoptive son extradited to Arizona. Nobody loves a budget once all the compromises are made, said Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray, R-Sun City. 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. 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 Evergreen State takes the top spot again in the U.S. News Best States ranking on the strength of its tech sector and other industries. A general wage increase of 3.25% for all employees who fall under WFSE's General Government contract A lump sum payment (determined by base income as of June 30, 2022) for workers employed as of July 1, 2021, who remain employed as of July 1, 2022, and earn less than $99,000 Do I get the lump sum payment if I work part time? The Supreme Court has rejected appeals from Arizona and Nevada involving the rights of same-sex couples. 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. For the rest of Floridians, affordable housing has been the subject of calls for more money, as the states sizzling housing market has driven rents and home prices through the roof. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. Along with the across-the-board pay raises, other agreements were reached to finance $20-an-hour minimum salaries for state firefighters and correctional 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. Doug Ducey or his political appointees have a much better shot of getting a big pay boost. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. 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. has given 44 of his staff members raises of up to 20 percent each. The state hopes a new computer program will increase efficiency and allow employees across agencies to work together better. The improbable bipartisanship was enabled by an unprecedented surplus topping $5 billion, allowing for a broad array of new spending and savings.

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