Freshman state Rep. Jay Barnes wants the state Office of Administration to explain how proposed budget cuts will affect the state employees' health care plan.
"As you are aware, Missouri state employees are already among the worst-paid in the entire country and have not received a pay increase in three years," Barnes, R-Jefferson City, said in a two-page letter delivered Friday to OA Commissioner Kelvin Simmons.
"Last year, they actually faced a pay cut in the form of reduced health care benefits."
The House Appropriations-General Administration Committee plans to review the budget proposals for OA's operations, fringe benefits and attached programs during a noon meeting Monday.