Idaho Lawmakers Tussle Over State Worker Raises

Lawmakers in the Idaho House set the stage for more debate on state worker pay raises moments after legislative budget writers set the increases at 2 percent.

Republican Rep. Stephen Hartgen of Twin Falls introduced two pieces of legislation Tuesday. One measure that supports giving state workers a 2 percent pay raise but gives agency directors discretion to award the increases how they see fit, while the other measure would ditch the pay increase altogether.

Hartgen expressed frustration with the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, which voted Tuesday to approve a 2 percent, across-the-board raise for state workers. Hartgen says that power should be reserved for the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee, which he vice chairs.

Hartgen says his intent is to get “the horse back in front of the cart.”