Arizona has a legal right to challenge a federal provision that forbids using COVID relief money for tax cuts, appeals court rules. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Please review your AZ state withholding election again and make any change if you choose to. 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. Ducey listed water, education, and border security as his priorities. I was told the choice is that bill or more investment in K-12 schools, and I chose our K-12 public schools.. "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.". What they envision, however, is not the style of fence the feds already built before construction was stopped by the Biden administration. The U.S. Supreme Court today let stand a ruling that struck down Arizonas policy of denying benefits for domestic partners of state employees. The Supreme Court has rejected appeals from Arizona and Nevada involving the rights of same-sex couples. Session lurches into overtime as state worker pay raises approved in 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. Senate Completes Action on State Employee Pay Raise Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. For more information, refer to the news story from AZDOR:Arizonas Employees Have New Tax Withholding Options. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin), 3 Kansas City Officers Who Were Shot Released From Hospital, 1 Killed When Business Jet Encounters Severe Turbulence, Pot Vote Has Oklahoma Hungry to Rake in Green From Texas. Duceys budget sets aside $58 million for that, leaving it up to lawmakers how to enact business tax cuts. All employees in salaried positions as of April 10, 2022 and remaining employed on July 10, 2022 are eligible for the statewide salary increase. YES | Department of Administration Human Resources - Arizona It does not call for a second raise or a cut to the number of weeks people can get paid. C.J. Two bills are moving through the Arizona legislature that could bring more money to unemployment earners. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. You can also choose to enroll in the Delta Dental PPO or opt-out of dental coverage. 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. 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. DeSantis on masks, Florida school districts rebel against governor's mask order, presenting political test, Helped by federal aid, Gov. Strictly speaking, the state gets no property tax revenues. AZ lawmakers considering higher unemployment payments And even then, much of the money is not for grand projects like desalination but instead for shorter-term solutions like water banking and paying tribes and others to use less Colorado River water. She says Arizona normally offers 26 weeks of payments; about the same as other states. Doug Ducey was expected to approve it. 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. ADOA Human Resources . The 33rd annual Glendale Folk and Heritage Festival will bring hundreds of performers to Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park Saturday and Sunday. About 9 p.m. Tuesday, Trumbull and Stargel sent a memo to fellow lawmakers acknowledging that they wouldn't make a midnight deadline in time for a constitutionally required 72-hour waiting period before lawmakers can vote on the budget by Friday's last scheduled day of the 2022 session. 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. 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%. You do not have to take any action. The other two aircraft would be available to the lieutenant governor, Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, the House Speaker, Senate president and chairs of legislative committees and agency officials. The State Personnel Board last week voted to add four steps of 2.5% to employees' pay structure. Jan Brewer offered 5 percent pay raises to employees who became "uncovered," giving up certain job protections. 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. click the box below and click the Login button under Y.E.S. Katie Hobbs first executive order barring discrimination in hiring practices. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. There is a growing sense that fallowing will have to be part of the solution to the increasingly desperate drought in the West. Phoenix, AZ 85007. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. The Arizona Freedom Caucus announced it would be filing a lawsuit challenging Gov. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. It raises pay in January 2022 to $300 and raises employer premiums. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. 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. 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. The cost of living, while going up, is still lower than in other areas. Long-serving state employees may be eligible for pay increases of up to 10% over the next few years. The budget is not sound and its not reflective of my conservative values, Ugenti-Rita said. Be sure to review the dental information above to see if it applies to you. The Blog of the West Virginia Legislature, The Official Blog of the West Virginia Legislature, House Passes Classroom Camera Review Process Bill, House Floor Session, Rejection of Senate Bill 230, Bill Requiring a Personal Finance Class in High School Completes, Senate Completes Action on Eight Bills Thursday, Senate Education Advances Special Education Monitoring Bill, House Completes Action on WV-Ireland Trade Commission. The Arizona Board of Regents approved the University of Arizona's . Those employees who will be receiving a targeted salary increase at or above 7.5 percent in fiscal year 2023 will be eligible to receive a 2.5 percent statewide increase. 5 min read 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. Doug Ducey has had a serious negative effect on neighborhoods. Other state employee raises are reflected in the budget bill that is expected to be finalized before the end of the Regular Session. State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. "State employees have stepped up and answered the call of public service. 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. Gov. You do not need to re-enroll to keep your current coverage elections for 2023. After firing auditors, state's Revenue agency gave raises to select employees. 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. 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. 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. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Tuesday, November 8, 2022, is the General Election and all state government employees are encouraged to vote. The governor wants to hire. "We werent competitive at that rate," Hawkins said. 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. 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. Tags: Associated Press, legislation, business, property taxes, Arizona, education, state budgets. 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. For. But that $150 is less than Ducey wants to give schools that already have an A rating, up to an extra $429 per student for schools with a high number of children in poverty and $241 for those with fewer students in need. 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. Any hours in excess of the maximum carryover limits are subject to forfeiture. 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 proposal also has $80 million in a salary reserve allowing. It creates a state version of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit that targets low-income households where someone is working and, in most cases, where there is a child. 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. Districts lose dollars because of masks: GOP lawmaker aims to strip state funding from school districts that defied Gov. More information regarding civic duty leave for the purpose of voting. 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. Nobody loves a budget once all the compromises are made, said Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray, R-Sun City. Annual renewal required. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Arizona state officials gave pay raises to 169 government workers without getting the required approval from the Department of Administration. Any hours in excess of the maximum carryover limits are subject to forfeiture. 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. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. A spokeswoman for the agency could not say how many of those former employees were considered bullies and liars as well. 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. Caucus leaders claim Hobbs is illegally legislating to, advance her woke agenda, by issuing executive orders. But the fate of dollars for the rural and family lands program remained in flux late Tuesday. That has proven a a nonstarter among lawmakers who have to go to those same homeowners every two years to get reelected. 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. The average raise for a Ducey staffer was 11 percentsince he took office. 40 workers fired by ex-DES chief may get jobs back Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. 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. Pursuant to State laws and rules, state employees may receive paid leave in order to exercise their voting privileges under certain conditions. 0. Ironically, it was the Legislature's most conservative lawmakers who forced the hands of GOP leaders when they balked at initial, smaller spending proposals. Bipartisan budget boosts school funding, state employee pay raises State employees will get a raise, many for the first time in a decade. 2023 www.azcentral.com. Cleaning house: DES director fires 72 for being bullies, but did he go too far? 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Legislature plans to return Thursday afternoon to take up legislation directing how the new water cash will be spent and other remaining bills, with an eye to adjourning for the year once those are completed. 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. But some of that money is going to erect what the Governors Office is calling physical barriers along stretches of the border where they have access. Those who have voted against it say they want to see a restructuring of DES before handing them more money. And it puts another $425 million in the rainy day fund to help the state weather a potential recession. And even if that fails, GOP legislative leaders are planning a maneuver that effectively would quash a public vote by repealing last years version and reenacting something new and possibly different this year.