Legislature's Budget Writing Committee Signs Off on Prison Workers Pay Raise
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019 -- 12:37 PM
(AP) -The Legislature’s budget-writing committee has signed off on raises for prison workers in hopes of retaining and recruiting more guards.Gov. Tony Evers’ budget earmarked about $23.7 million for prison worker raises. His plan coupled with a 2% across-the-board raise for all state workers in each of the next two years would increase guards’ starting wage from $16.65 to $18.22. Republicans on the budget committee introduced their own plan Tuesday that calls for spending nearly $37 million on prison raises.
Their proposal would move the starting wage to $19, raise upper-level salaries accordingly and provide lump-sum bonuses for longevity. The committee approved the plan 11-4. The vote inserts the plan into the budget. The committee will spend at least several more weeks revising the budget before sending it on to the full Legislature for approval.
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