Pay-Hike Denial Deferred

The Louisiana Civil Service Commission last week declined to take action on a request by Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration to halt next year’s scheduled 4% pay raise for most state employees.

Commissioners said they wanted more information, including which agencies generate sufficient income to justify pay raises for their employees before deciding on the request. The commission is expected to make a final decision on Jindal’s request in April.

Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater said asked for commission to deny the scheduled merit pay raise for 56,000 employees because state cannot afford the $55 million it would cost in fiscal 2012.

Rainwater told the commissioners the administration also plans to freeze the salaries of state employees not covered by civil service rules to save $34 million next year. No state employee, including cabinet secretaries, should expect to see a raise in fiscal 2012, Rainwater said.

“We are looking for nickels under the couch,” he said.

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