Deficit-reduction bills from Walker would freeze pay for 2,250 state workers
JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has unveiled legislation to freeze wages for about 2,250 non-union state workers over the next two years — a move that would fulfill a deficit-reduction pledge Walker made when he introduced his budget proposal last month.
House Bill 71 and Senate Bill 31, if passed by the Legislature, would cancel annual "merit increases" received by state workers like high-level Walker appointees and legislative staffers, as well as employees of agencies like the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. and the Alaska Gasline Development Corp.
Another 2,800 university workers would be affected but their salaries are already frozen under the university system's next budget, which takes effect in July, said spokeswoman Robbie Graham.
The legislation would also give Walker authority to turn down a portion of his own $145,000 salary — discretion he currently does not have.
Read more: https://www.adn.com/politics/2017/01/23/new-deficit-reduction-bill-from-alaska-gov-walker-would-freeze-pay-for-2250-state-workers/