UPEA lobbyists are busy fighting to secure the largest total compensation package for state employees in over a decade. UPEA supports the recommendations from Governor Spencer Cox’s proposed budget, which was released Tuesday, December 7, 2021. The governor’s recommendations include a 3.5% salary increase for state employees, funding for the projected 6.7% health insurance increase, and continuity of the 401(k) match ($26 a pay period match for employees).
Additionally, the Governor’s budget proposed funding over $12 million for targeted pay increases for below-market positions. This year, the targeted compensation list included all positions that were 15% or more below their market counterpart, based on an independent survey. UPEA will lobby to fully fund the recommendations for targeted compensation in FY23 and will continue to prioritize targeted compensation to address market discrepancies in future years.