Three Kansas City police officers who were shot while serving a search warrant have been released from the hospital, Officials say one passenger died when a business jet experienced severe turbulence, forcing a landing at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, Oklahoma voters are deciding whether to legalize marijuana sales for those 21 and older. That includes $544 million for border security, roughly half of it for a wall, and $1 billion for highway construction, including widening Interstate 10 north of Casa Grande. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. Doug Ducey wants to grant pay raises to nearly half of all state employees, with an emphasis on boosting salaries for law enforcement and corrections officers. More information regarding civic duty leave for the purpose of voting, Excess annual leave must be used on or before, to avoid forfeiture of excess hours. Watch a non-stop stream of breaking news, live events and stories across the nation. Tuesday, November 8, 2022, is the General Election and all state government employees are encouraged to vote. Walmart plans to open multiple health centers in metro Phoenix as the retail giant expands its medical services initiative. Any existing additional dollar amounts an employee had chosen to be withheld will not be changed. The U.S. Supreme Court today let stand a ruling that struck down Arizonas policy of denying benefits for domestic partners of state employees. Ducey proposes $14B budget, with tax cuts, some raises for state workers, Lawmakers want to strip 19 cities' rights but Tucson is real target, Celebrity Las Vegas chefs opening Tucson restaurant, A bunch of photos of today's snow across Tucson , The highly anticipated Portillo's is now open in Tucson, 'Attainable' apartments coming to northwest Tucson, A big ol' guide to this weekend's Tucson Festival of Books, Watch: The most notable things Tommy Lloyd said after Arizona's heartbreaking loss to ASU, New game, entertainment center makes southwest Tucson a bigger draw, South Tucson motel sold to soup kitchen for housing, Tim Steller's column: Converting Tucson's big boxes, vast parking lots into housing tantalizes, 100 fun events happening in Tucson this March 2023 , Tucson lawmaker loses first bid to dump cities' rights, 'Extreme weather' closes parts of Interstates 17, 40 in Arizona, Feds might seek $163M refund over Arizona's anti-mask mandate rules, Arizona's online portal for campaign signatures facing shut down during critical period, Lawmaker's bill would eliminate sales tax on gun purchases in Arizona, Ducey: "Summer camp" plan to differ from traditional summer school, Arizona lawmaker seeks to override HOA rules against turf, Bill would again allow local governments to regulate short-term rentals, Gov. The Blog of the West Virginia Legislature, The Official Blog of the West Virginia Legislature, House Passes Classroom Camera Review Process Bill, House Floor Session, Rejection of Senate Bill 230, Bill Requiring a Personal Finance Class in High School Completes, Senate Completes Action on Eight Bills Thursday, Senate Education Advances Special Education Monitoring Bill, House Completes Action on WV-Ireland Trade Commission. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Ducey released a 'recovery-focused' budget for Fiscal Year 2022, and he plans in making investments in K-12 education, public health, public safety, wildfire prevention, infrastructure and more, while also providing tax relief to residents. Be sure to review the dental information above to see if it applies to you. The Arizona Board of Regents approved the University of Arizona's . Jun 10, 2022 Updated Jan 20, 2023. 100 N 15th Ave, #301. . Strictly speaking, the state gets no property tax revenues. This is really just getting on a soap box and vilifying immigrants and creating a political point, Quezada said. State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) tweeted on Monday, "Arizona's version of @JoeBiden's Build Back Broke (aka the legislature's . Check to see if your provider is on the plan and see the plan coverage by visiting. Both are leaving the Legislature after this year. ADOA Human Resources . The bipartisanship extended to opposition a handful of conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats voted against the budget deal. Caucus leaders claim Hobbs is illegally legislating to, advance her woke agenda, by issuing executive orders. Employees and managers can monitor annual leave balances by logging in to YES and clicking on Leave Activity. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. Ducey is seeking similar permanent raises for troopers and at other agencies in the budget proposal he released on Friday. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. The Supreme Court has rejected appeals from Arizona and Nevada involving the rights of same-sex couples. But how long is needed to finish the budget work appears to be an unknown at the moment. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. Two-thirds of Arizona is no longer experiencing drought conditions, an abrupt change following a surprisingly wet winter. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. The cost of living, while going up, is still lower than in other areas. The employee pay raise bill got to the finish line with a $10,000 raise for State Troopers, up from the original $2,550 figure. The rest of Arizona'spublic servants? Republicans last year cut $1.7 billion in income taxes. . If you had logged in to Y.E.S. And even then, much of the money is not for grand projects like desalination but instead for shorter-term solutions like water banking and paying tribes and others to use less Colorado River water. Two bills are moving through the Arizona legislature that could bring more money to unemployment earners. Phoenix, AZ 85007. The Senates proposal excluded current Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democrat and candidate for governor, from having access to the funds. Nursing home employees also would reach $15-an-hour minimum pay as part of a 7% increase in Medicaid rates paid nursing homes that was also agreed to Tuesday. That includes the nearly $26 million for would-be nurses to go to the accelerated nursing program at Creighton University, with students having to promise to work at a hospital in Arizona for four years. The cash of $150 a student for up to three years is designed to help schools improve; if they do not, then the governor will ask the state Department of Education to step in. Ironically, it was the Legislature's most conservative lawmakers who forced the hands of GOP leaders when they balked at initial, smaller spending proposals. But some of that money is going to erect what the Governors Office is calling physical barriers along stretches of the border where they have access. You do not need to re-enroll to keep your current coverage elections for 2023. There also is a $450 million deposit into the states rainy day fund, bringing it up to 10% of the total state budget, the maximum permitted by law. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. Duceys office routinely issues news releases when he allocates cash from the pot of COVID-19 relief money he controls, but that wasnt done this time. Long-serving state employees may be eligible for pay increases of up to 10% over the next few years. The House is adjourned until tomorrow, March 4 at 9 a.m. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the state faces prolonged drought. Arizona has a legal right to challenge a federal provision that forbids using COVID relief money for tax cuts, appeals court rules. Find in Google Maps 2023 www.azcentral.com. The 12 districts are Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Sarasota and Volusia counties. Meanwhile, caseworkers dealing with the state's foster-care crisis got a $1-a-day raise. Visit the Benefits Website Links to some of the frequently visited benefits information: Employee Discounts (including tuition discounts) The 12 school districts targeted in the House's original proposal were looking to get the $200 million penalty removed from the state's school funding system. Doug Ducey's proposal to spend $1.1 billion on desalination and other water infrastructure ignores other potential , For Star subscribers:Gov. GOP leaders decided to just take the easy road out, the path of least resistance and give up and just spend, said Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a Scottsdale Republican who voted against the budget. Rick Scott, a multi-millionaire, who had sold the states former air fleet and paid for and used his own jet for state travel. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. GOP and Democratic leaders agreed to add $526 million in new ongoing funding for K-12 schools, a substantial increase from the GOP's initial proposal. Excess annual leave must be used on or before Friday, January 6, 2023 to avoid forfeiture of excess hours. Republican leaders had struggled for months to craft a spending plan that could find unanimous support in the fractious GOP caucuses without relying on Democrats. $400 million to complete another 20 miles of upgrading I-10 to three lanes in each direction between Casa Grande and Sun Lakes; $50 million for communities outside Pima and Maricopa counties to leverage federal dollars for shovel-ready transportation projects; $92 million for building repairs and upgrades in the state prison system; $8.2 million to increase the number of Adult Protective Services caseworkers; $177 million for projects at state parks, about half for sewage treatment systems, though $118 million of that is coming from federal cash. The premium pay started flowing to 17,291 of the states approximately 35,000 workers on Nov. 27. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Department of Administration, which functions as state government's human-resources department and works directly for Ducey,gave at least 245 employees roughly half of itsstaff pay raises that average 18 percent, or an $11,496 increase. The Evergreen State takes the top spot again in the U.S. News Best States ranking on the strength of its tech sector and other industries. Its not just line DPS troopers that are getting premium pay; dispatchers, crime lab technicians, radio repair staff and many others are getting premium pay, which ends on June 30. Ducey listed water, education, and border security as his priorities. Any existing additional dollar amounts an employee had chosen to be withheld will not be changed. PHOENIX (AP) Arizonas legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down long-term debts. Republicans last year cut $1.7 billion in income taxes. The improbable bipartisanship was enabled by an unprecedented surplus topping $5 billion, allowing for a broad array of new spending and savings. Rowan has spent the last few months going through unemployment data from states, giving context to the problems we are seeing now. They also agreed to technical changes in a formula for distributing money to schools and $4 million each for school testing and 2022 election costs. DeSantis, Cabinet members and other state leaders also were helped by budget-writers Tuesday, who agreed to spend $31.3 million to buy two Embraer Phenom 300E executive jets, each with an 11-seat capacity, under legislation awaiting final approval. Note 1: Only available if the employee had no tax liability last year and does not expect to have any tax liability in the current year. "Arizona is resilient, and we . Ducey appointee hands out big raises, bonuses. A spokeswoman for the agency could not say how many of those former employees were considered bullies and liars as well. All employees in salaried positions as of April 10, 2022 and remaining employed on July 10, 2022 are eligible for the statewide salary increase. GOP leaders decided to just take the easy road out, the path of least resistance and give up and just spend, said Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a Scottsdale Republican who voted against the budget. She says it's the actual payment amounts that put Arizona at the bottom of her list. This widespread removal of protections made possiblemass firings during the Ducey administration in a quest to shrink government. The budget also makes a $1.1 billion deposit into the pension fund for public safety and corrections officers, paying off the states unfunded liability for future retirement benefits. You do not have to take any action. DATABASE:Here's how well Ducey rewarded his staff, agency heads. Annual renewal required. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Over the last eight years, Arizona has made responsible decisions to live within our means, reduce burdensome government regulations and increase trust in our citizens and the result is a booming economy with record revenues. Arizona state officials gave pay raises to 169 government workers without getting the required approval from the Department of Administration. Arizona State Retirement System ECD employees participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). "But Id say that Arizona in general has not followed the market trend when it comes to police pay.". C.J. Those fences also will feature no trespassing signs, a move that the Governors Office said is designed to allow police to prosecute those crossing the border illegally under state charges. For the rest of Floridians, affordable housing has been the subject of calls for more money, as the states sizzling housing market has driven rents and home prices through the roof. But that $150 is less than Ducey wants to give schools that already have an A rating, up to an extra $429 per student for schools with a high number of children in poverty and $241 for those with fewer students in need. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It's illegal for Gov. 1/. It does not call for a second raise or a cut to the number of weeks people can get paid. After losing support on the right, House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann had to look elsewhere for votes, and they found them across the aisle. To keep your FSA for healthcare, limited purpose, or daycare/elder care, you must re-enroll each year. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Please follow the steps below to log in: If you are not able to log in, please contact[emailprotected]or call (602) 542-4700, Option 4 for assistance. between 12/31/22 and 01/03/23 at 1 pm, the rate you may have seen may have been incorrect. Ron DeSantis ban on school mask mandates last year. It allows state and local governments to. The other two aircraft would be available to the lieutenant governor, Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, the House Speaker, Senate president and chairs of legislative committees and agency officials. Arizona House Republicans back universal school voucher expansion, Arizona Legislature begins hearings on state budget plan as deadline looms, Surprisingly wet winter pulls most of Arizona out of drought conditions, Annual Folk and Heritage Festival coming to Glendales Sahuaro Ranch Park this weekend, Phoenix passes source-of-income housing discrimination ban, Police arrest student for bringing firearm to high school in Phoenix, Walmart Health unveils plan to open 6 centers in metro Phoenix, Southwest farmers reluctant to idle farmland to save water, Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices, Sports gambling can be fun for adults, but its a dangerous game for children, Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays. The Ducey administration has done away with across-the-board pay increases, but has allowed agency directors to award raises and bonuses based on merit. By Associated Press Originally Published: June 23, 2022 10:52 a.m. PHOENIX - Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial. But lawmakers have reduced that amount, targeting $209.5 million for housing initiatives, but limiting rental assistance efforts to about $100 million, with another $100 million establishing a hometown heroes program helping first responders, teachers and nurses with down payment assistance. Republican leaders had struggled for months to craft a spending plan that could find unanimous support in the fractious GOP caucuses without relying on Democrats. It raises pay in January 2022 to $300 and raises employer premiums. A proposed expansion of a tax credit to subsidize private school tuition was removed from the must-pass budget, likely dooming it. The governors aides say business tax relief is justified based on data they say show that Arizona has the 10th highest industrial property tax rates in the nation. Sen. Sean Bowie, a moderate Phoenix Democrat, joined with moderate Republican Sen. Paul Boyer to push for more school funding, noting that in all more than $1 billion in new school funding was in the plan, with more than half ongoing. That includes $544 million for border security, roughly half of it for a wall, and $1 billion for highway construction, including widening Interstate 10 north of Casa Grande. The budget is not sound and its not reflective of my conservative values, Ugenti-Rita said. With a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2020 pushing the states minimum wage for all workers to $15-an-hour in 2026, Florida lawmakers now appear to be getting out slightly ahead of this shift. So, what's the best way to get a raise if you work for the state of Arizona? With the holidays approaching, it's important to know when your home is in need of heating and plumbing updates before more guests start to come around. Arizona Lawmakers Approve Bipartisan $18 Billion Budget, Marisol Garcia, Vice President of the Arizona Education Association, speaks during a news conference at the Arizona capitol Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Phoenix. Arizonas legislature has approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan making substantial investments in public schools and new highways. But many of his comments leave quest, For Star subscribers:Senate President Karen Fann tells the Star in a Q&A the plan is to set up a program to achieve short- to long-term g, Schools chief Kathy Hoffman called out Republican legislative leaders Tuesday for failing so far to ensure that schools across the state won't. About 9 p.m. Tuesday, Trumbull and Stargel sent a memo to fellow lawmakers acknowledging that they wouldn't make a midnight deadline in time for a constitutionally required 72-hour waiting period before lawmakers can vote on the budget by Friday's last scheduled day of the 2022 session. The new budget also is built on the premise that the 2.5% flat tax proposal approved last year will, in fact, take effect this year at an annual cost of $1.9 billion despite the fact that foes have gathered enough signatures to delay it until the public can vote on it in November. For the latest local news, download the FOX 10 News app. "It really was just a stopgap to start trying to stop people from leaving because all the agencies around us have received considerable pay raises and we were still so far behind," Hawkins said. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Ironically, it was the Legislatures most conservative lawmakers who forced the hands of GOP leaders when they balked at initial, smaller spending proposals. Using the money to provide premium pay for essential workers is allowed under terms of the virus relief law signed by the Democratic president last March. The Pima County Board of Supervisors had eight pay raise proposals to choose from, ranging from a low of 5% to a high of 10%. Karamargin, Duceys spokesman, said there is increasing competitiveness in all sorts of jobs. Gov. DeSantis had called for pouring about $355 million into construction, home-buying and rent relief efforts. For agencies, boards and commissions under the State Personnel System, the maximum number of annual leave hours an employee may carry over into a new calendar year is 320 hours for uncovered employees and 240 hours for covered employees. It creates a state version of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit that targets low-income households where someone is working and, in most cases, where there is a child. The Governors Office estimates that 577,000 Arizonans will qualify at a cost of $74 million a year. The added funding includes phasing in funding for low-income students starting at $50 million in the upcoming fiscal year and growing to $100 million in three years and special education. It was not a great situation," said Lisa Rowan, a consumer finance reporter with Forbes Advisor. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. To see your current elections and enroll, click the Employee or Retiree button in the upper lefthand corner of the page. For more information, refer to the web story from AZDOR:Arizonas Employees Have New Tax Withholding Options. Pursuant to State laws and rules, state employees may receive paid leave in order to exercise their voting privileges under certain . He citied Boyers leadership, your stubbornness, your perseverance, for reaching the deal. The agency pays its starting troopers about $57,000 a year, and the new 15% stipend gets them to $65,000, Hawkins said. click the box below and click the Login button under Y.E.S. The increases are tied to job performance and employees could increase two steps, or 5%, on his or her employment anniversary date. May 6, 2022 Updated May 7, 2022 0 As part of House Bill 1, also known as the executive branch budget, state employees will receive an 8% across-the-board raise in the next fiscal year.. Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. Doug Ducey quietly tapped $95 million in federal coronavirus relief money in November to boost pay for state troopers, prison guards and workers in several other state departments deemed essential. Prior efforts to stabilize Arizona's water supply have come up short. Learn about Deferred Compensation and how this important employee benefit can assist you in Saving for the Future. Forty workers let go by the now-fired head of the Department of Economic Security got an early Christmas gift Friday: Theyre going to get their jobs back. Their agreement adds $80 million in combined additional funding for Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, bringing their funding boosts in line with additional money already allocated to University of Arizona. The Regular Session ends Saturday March 12 at midnight. House budget chair Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, and his Senate counterpart, Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, agreed to the pay raise before getting bogged down amid a host of big ticket items still unsettled across a proposed budget topping $100 billion for only the second time in state history. In another dramatic move, lawmakers dropped a House-backed $200 million redistribution of funds from 12 counties that defied Gov. A separate bill giving locality pay was scrapped in favor of this bill. Nobody loves a budget once all the compromises are made, said Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray, R-Sun City. Likely there will be some sort of compromise concerning the two state bills. Here's how well Ducey rewarded his staff, agency heads. Ducey is seeking a permanent 15% raise for state troopers, 20% for juvenile and adult corrections employees and pay boosts for several other agencies that total nearly $250 million a year. Fiscal Year 2022-23 The Arizona State Retirement System Board of Trustees announced Friday, November 12, 2021 that qualified retirees will receive a Permanent Benefit Increase (PBI) to their monthly annuities, beginning with their July 2022 benefit check. Instead, a proposal that looked close to being accepted by the two sides would put the $200 million into a school recognition program that would reward faculty and staff in "highly productive" schools that excelled even amid the challenges of the pandemic. It also eliminates the state equalization tax, a property tax for education, and backfills it with $330 million from the general fund. A starting correctional officer earns just over $35,000 a year before the 20% premium pay. But aides said that promise was for over three years, meaning after he has left office. Doug Ducey, despite lean budget, awards hefty pay raises to his staff, Teachers union to fight for 20 percent raises, just like Gov. Pursuant to State laws and rules, state employees may receive paid leave in order to exercise their voting privileges under certain conditions. "Weve got some quite a few critical positions that are vital to public safety," Karamargin said. But for me, its encouraging that we have actually come together. The plan includes a handful of small, targeted tax cuts for farm machines and private planes but no large-scale reductions. The firings of more than 100 auditors and collectors, who were among the lowest-paid employees at Revenue, ended up costing the state $83million in lost revenue. SB 1411 was introduced by Republican State Senator Karen Fann. And even if that fails, GOP legislative leaders are planning a maneuver that effectively would quash a public vote by repealing last years version and reenacting something new and possibly different this year. Ducey, who last year offered teachers raises ofless than1 percent,has given 44 of his staff members raises of up to 20 percent each. ALL EMPLOYEES - ARIZONA STATE WITHHOLDING HAS BEEN UPDATED TO THE DEFAULT RATE 2.0%. Note: Elective benefits for new employees may be subject to a 90-day waiting period. Arizona state employee raises 2022; Arizona state employee raises 2022. by: Admin . Arizona's unemployment payments haven't been raised in 17 years, but this year two bills are being considered by lawmakers that could move the state up a bit, from second-lowest pay to 38th place. has given 44 of his staff members raises of up to 20 percent each. PHOENIX Arizona Gov. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin), 3 Kansas City Officers Who Were Shot Released From Hospital, 1 Killed When Business Jet Encounters Severe Turbulence, Pot Vote Has Oklahoma Hungry to Rake in Green From Texas. Capitol Rideshare (Transit Subsidy, Travel Reduction Telework), Employee Information Organizer - Important information in the event of your death while employed with the State, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), Corrections Officers Retirement System (CORP), Internal Job Openings (for current state of Arizona employees only), Vital Records - Birth or death certificates. She says Arizona normally offers 26 weeks of payments; about the same as other states. Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. $5 million in 20 percent pay raises for Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections officers. The average raise for a Ducey staffer was 11 percentsince he took office. They also agreed to technical changes in a formula for distributing money to schools and $4 million each for school testing and 2022 election costs. Simpson, the Senate president, is running for the post of Agriculture Commissioner later this year and the spending provision sought by his chamber would not take effect until January 2023, when he could potentially be in charge of the department. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. "If you make a whole ton of money and you're on unemployment, the most you're going to get is $240 a week to be able to pay your bills," said Rowan. "The pandemic has really made it apparent that what you get in terms of unemployment benefits often isn't enough to support you if you're out of work, especially when you think about a national public health crisis," said Rowan. Arizona state employees get raises without needed OKs, Domestic partners employed by state gain win at Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court rejects Arizona gay rights case, YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS/PRIVACY POLICY. Phoenix lawmaker said that gun safety equipment would also be sold free of sales tax. It does not call for a second raise or a cut to the number of weeks people can get paid. Average annual pay before overtime for non-supervisors is just over $70,000. The House amended the raise on March 7 and the Senate concurred this evening. The firings of more than 100 auditors and collectors, who were among the lowest-paid employees at Revenue, ended up costing the state $83 million in lost revenue. As of last summer, the state workforce is down by 4,862 employees since Ducey took office, to 33,222. Few events have the potential to impact technology and the government like the appointment of a new state CIO. The Senate is adjourned until Monday, March 6, at 11 a.m. Thn 5, x hong tn,th x qung yn, tnh qung ninh. This is your TASC card account. You may add/drop dependents and change coverage or carriers. The State of Arizona offers a robust array of benefits for State employees, including health and life insurance, short- and long-term disability, employee assistance, wellness programs and much more.