More state workers hired

Were new retirement rules a factor in state worker hiring spree?

Monday, February 21, 2011

The state of Missouri hired new employees faster than usual in the last quarter of 2010.

Hiring by state agencies in that quarter was up 17 percent; state agencies hired 1,085 new full-time workers in the quarter, compared with 924 hired in the same period of 2009.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said a clue to the hiring surge could be new retirement rules that kicked in for state employees on Jan. 1.

Employees on the payroll before Dec. 31, 2010, don’t have to contribute to their pensions. Those joining the ranks since Jan. 1 do. They must chip in 4 percent of salary and work longer to earn pensions.

Emily Smith, a spokeswoman for the Office of Administration, said agencies made their own decisions on whether to fill vacancies in December. She said there was no information to determine whether some tried to beat the retirement changes.

Since he took office in January 2009, Gov. Jay Nixon has eliminated scores of state jobs — including 863 positions in the coming year’s budget — to stem budget shortfalls. Even with the increased hiring in late 2010, the total number of people on the state payroll was down compared with a year earlier — to 59,069 from 61,465.

Hiring was up, however, in 12 departments, as well as the offices of the public defender, attorney general and secretary of state. Of those who beat the deadline, 16 started work on Thursday, Dec. 30, the last state workday of the year.

Nixon’s budget director, Linda Luebbering, also said she wasn’t concerned about the surge in new employees late last year. She said nearly half the new employees work in three departments — mainly as prison guards, caregivers in mental health institutions and protective services workers for abused children.

“Departments know what their budgets are, and they’re filling within their available budgets,” Luebbering said.

A recent hire, Randy Holman, the former Jefferson County assessor, who resigned that post when he was appointed by Nixon to the State Tax Commission on Dec. 15, said the impending retirement changes had nothing to do with starting work in late December.

“I didn’t even have a clue” about the pension changes, Holman said. “I found out much later that I got in right under the deadline.”

More like this story

hudson 2 years, 3 months ago

screw the taxpayers

2warped757 2 years, 3 months ago

State workers are taxpayers, too.

rmsberengaria 2 years, 3 months ago

Ok, they are taxpayers also. How about all you state workers then pay your own salary, healthcare, retirement and leave those in the private sector alone. Most of use don't have the premium retirement plans and health plans you do so why force the citizens to pay for your largess attitude.

Daddy 2 years, 3 months ago

Don't worry about it these non union 8 dollar an hour jobs can't put a dent in anything anyway. Most will quit once they get some time under their belt and a new 8 dollar an hour scab will take their place.

Daddy 2 years, 3 months ago

People can't take care of themselves because they aren't paid a decent wage yet must spend 80 dollars for a tank of gas. It only takes 10 hours of work to fill up your car that sounds like a great deal! Only in Missouri do people have the mindset that 8 dollars an hour and two jobs is a great life, can't fix stupid lol!

Daddy 2 years, 3 months ago

Nahh actually we pay alot for gas because Republicans oilmen want it that way. Ever wonder why old Bush flew Bin Ladens family out of the country so fast after 9/11? Because they backed his, and his cronies oil ventures for years. Old Bushy boy is laughing all the way to the bank, yet the sheeple of Missouri love making that 8 dollars an hour and supporting the Republican party lol!

rmsberengaria 2 years, 3 months ago

Oh, you are so right Graceful. You can blame Bush for everything but the real problem is un-bridled big government that gets in the way of or into every aspect of our lives and the free market system. Its a power game on the part of politicians who allow this overregulation. No one is against clean water, clean air, work standards, etc. But when un-elected bureaucrats pass regulations that kill or stop needed products or services from being produced then we have a problem! Hope some posters think about it a little before attacking the Job creators such as the OIL Companies, Mining Companies, Electric and Utility producers, Manufacturers, even McDonalds before saying they are the cause of the problems and higher prices. Maybe we all should look at the people, "We the people have elected" maybe we need to look at ourselves first! Plus we should all voice our opinion to our legislators and the bureaucrats foisting on us the job killing regulations on us.

Daddy 2 years, 3 months ago

I didn't vote for Bush or Obama so rms I guess you should take a look at yourself. I think you got one thing right you have been making very bad decisions on who you vote for. Right now we are where we are because your votes have led to bailing out the corporations and busting the backs of the worker. One thing can't be disputed the companies got bailed out and the worker got the shaft! Where is Jimmy Hoffa when you need him?

rmsberengaria 2 years, 3 months ago

HA HA Dad your like a horse with blinders on can't see left or right just straight ahead to insolvency. Dad my personal opinion is that the corporations and the auto companies should have went through normal bankruptcy like every other business does. I am not out to break any ones back either and surely not a worker. Jimmy Hoffa was a mafia union thug who leached of the hard working members dues!

JCLifer 2 years, 3 months ago

Revolving door turnover rate very costly.

justaword 2 years, 3 months ago

Did Missouri kick the can down the road?

An opinion article, December 23, in last year’s Wall Street Journal discussed “State House Shell Games.” A state legislature can “calculate the FUTURE savings and apply it toward closing the budget gap. “ Actually, “the savings won’t materialize for years.” In other words, the savings are not immediate, but projected in the future?

I don’t know, am asking. Did Missouri use this strategy?

Daddy 2 years, 3 months ago

So the truth comes out angry at the state worker because they have better benefits than you lol! You never heard the state worker complain when the private sector was banking salaries twice what they were but when the tide turns you get angry folks like RMS who feel a sense of entitlement. Bottom line the state worker earned what they have which isn't much. Don't get anrgy with them because they did better than you in life, look in the mirror, pick yourself up, and get some education and jobs will fall in your lap. Even in this time of recession, not even looking for a job, my education has people asking me to join their organization. It's all about making the right choices don't blame the state worker for your bad choices.

online_editor 2 years, 3 months ago

Just a general reminder. Let's remember to keep this forum on track by focusing on the issues related to the news story, rather than making back-and-forth assumptions and personal putdowns of other forum participants. Thanks. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune

brashbutton627 2 years, 3 months ago

If they are hiring back, why did they do a big layoff last June? Doesn't make any sense to lay off staff then hire right back? Also, why didn't the staff that got laid off get their jobs back? There are many unanswered questions here. The Governor just wanted to get rid of a bunch of "older" employees. He may have a lot of lawsuits on his hands if he keeps this up!!!

JCLifer 2 years, 3 months ago

Very good questions, BrashButton. My understanding is turnover in state government is so very high- many departments can hardly keep folks working, and they cannot hire and train new employees fast enough to keep up with the resignations.

Daddy 2 years, 2 months ago

You can think the like minded folks that break the unions and workers organizations for that. If Missouri had a decent union they would be able to keep a worker, instead they get 8 dollar an hour workers that are just using the state as a stepping stone while they search the classifieds for a better gig! Missouri is one sorry place to live!

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