We are pleased to see Gov. Eric Greitens is recommending pay increases for state workers, albeit small ones.
After years of studying the pay issue and confirming Missouri government workers are the lowest-paid in the nation, we have a proposal that amounts to cost-of-living adjustments for most workers. But at least it's a start.
Greitens announced his plan for the raises on Monday while unveiling his proposed budget for the business year that begins July 1. He said every state worker making less than $50,000 a year would receive an increase of $650 annually.
The plan for state employees also calls for the elimination of 90 state jobs in the upcoming fiscal year. That's a small amount compared to the thousands that have been cut over the past 10-15 years.
In small ways, the governor's proposal would do what he previously said he would do: Cut the state workforce and increase pay for the rest.
An interim committee studying state worker pay in 2016 determined the average state worker in Missouri earns $37,476, which is the lowest in the nation. It found base salaries for average workers is about 10 percent below recommended levels.
The governor's main pay proposal won't address that inequity, so he's added $4.5 million for other raises to be given to certain state workers, including those earning more than $50,000, who work in particularly in-demand jobs. That pot of money won't go far in increasing base salaries, but it could help the state retain workers who might otherwise go to neighboring states or the private sector.
Meanwhile, state workers who earn more than $50,000 and who are not in sought-after fields apparently would, again, see no raise during the upcoming fiscal year.
If Greitens' comments on the matter are accurate, lawmakers seem agreeable to passing the proposal.
We hope lawmakers consider a package that would ensure all state workers receive at least $650, not just ones earning under $50,000.
Doing so is in the best interest of the state, state workers and our community. For the state, it's getting to the point where it's difficult to hire and retain good employees. In the past, many people have worked for the state because of the generous benefits. But they're not as generous as they used to be.
A flat $650 raise for all state workers essentially would let them keep their standard of living, which has decreased in recent years because their salaries haven't kept up with inflation.