Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003
Gov. Minner Proposes Bonus For State Employees
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced Tuesday that she will propose granting state employees a one-time bonus of $500 in recognition of their efforts during the national economic recession. The proposal would require approval by the General Assembly.
Gov. Minner said she would ask General Assembly members to approve the proposal in January. If the legislature approves the Governor’s proposal during the three weeks they are in session in January, most employees would receive the bonus in February, she said.
“Delaware state government has been recognized repeatedly this year for the way we have run government soundly and weathered the economic recession in so much better shape than so many other states. That is due in large part to our state employees, who helped us find ways to save money and who shouldered extra workloads during two hiring freezes over the last two years,” Gov. Minner said. “In the private sector, effort and success like that are often rewarded with a bonus.”
“While the economic and revenue forecasts for the state are improving, my goal is to avoid building unreasonable growth into the ongoing operating budget. Therefore, we should look for worthwhile one-time expenditures for the revenue that is now being projected,” Gov. Minner said. “I think rewarding state employees with a bonus for their tremendous efforts over the last few years is a worthy use of one-time funds.”
The proposal, which also includes National Guard employees, Delaware Technical and Community College, public school teachers and employees as well as state police, would require $18 million from the General Fund. Part-time state employees would be granted a bonus that is pro-rated based on their work schedule. Funds would be allocated to the University of Delaware and Delaware State University, based on the state share of salaries at each, to be used at those institutions’ discretion.
The bonus would go to all those who were state employees as of December 16, 2003, the day the latest hiring freeze was lifted. The Governor will not receive the bonus, as she is constitutionally prohibited from receiving a pay raise during her term of office.
“I have said repeatedly that state employees are a big part of the reason that Delaware has managed to maintain vital services that have been slashed in other states over the last few years,” Gov. Minner said. “This is one way for us to recognize and thank them. As I continue to craft my Fiscal Year 2005 budget proposal, one of my priorities is to hopefully continue to find ways to recognize their efforts.”
The bonus will be subject to payroll and other taxes.
