In response to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's State of the State address Wednesday, Missouri Republicans chided him for "talk and not action."
The governor talked about and acted to include a 2 percent pay raise for all state employees in his proposed budget. Now, it's time for lawmakers to follow through.
State employees work on the front lines of enforcing the laws and delivering the services approved by the executive and legislative branches.
Unlike elected officials, their job does not include discussion, debate and compromise. Their task is to carry out their assigned duties. And, in both the public and private sectors, experienced employees typically are able to perform those duties more efficiently, which translates into a cost-saving for the employer.
In comparison to other states, however, Missouri is neither a generous nor average employer; studies have placed Missouri last among the 50 states.
Compensation must rise, and the governor's inclusion of a pay raise is a step.
Two local Republican lawmakers, state Rep. Mike Bernskoetter and state Sen. Mike Kehoe, noted it is more difficult to approve a salary hike not included in a governor's budget.
Bernskoetter, who chairs the Interim Committee on State Employee Wages, said the proposal "won't get us out of the bottom, but it's a baby step forward." He added a state salary study now under way "should give us a little direction on where we need to go from here."
Jefferson City's other Republican representative, Jay Barnes, characterized the pay raise as "obviously very good news. And," he added, "hopefully we can get it across the finish line."
As always, the number of proposed bills, initiatives and pet projects exceeds what revenues will allow. But those bills, initiatives and projects require a competent, experienced work force to implement and maintain.
We encourage lawmakers to act this year on a salary increase for state employees.