SEN. SAMPSON STATEMENT ON SENATE APPROVAL OF $2.0 BILLION STATE EMPLOYEE WAGE INCREASE & BONUS PACKAGE

State Sen. Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott) reacted to the State Senate’s final approval of Governor Ned Lamont’s proposed $2.0 billion in wage increases and bonuses for state employees.

The proposal includes at least 10% in general wage increases, 2.5% per year for three years and then at least that in year four as well as an additional $3,500 in bonuses.

Together, the increases total a minimum of a 33% wage increase over three years for 46,000 state employees.

The $2 plus billion in wages and benefit package breaks down to guaranteed raises of around $10,000 per year for the next four years, an average of $40,500 in additional pay for each state employee.

“Of course, I respect state employees who work hard and are capable at what they do. However, the magnitude of the pay and bonus increase being awarded to state employees by the Governor and legislative Democrats is not in line with our state’s priorities or abilities. The only reason the money for it even exists is a combination of federal grants and runaway inflation driving up tax receipts – taxes paid by the private sector workforce where costs are rising and massive raises are not normal or guaranteed. In the long term, these pay raises and benefits that far exceed workers in the private sector are not wise or sustainable. It is likely to makes things worse, not better, for the people of Connecticut,” he said.

“The Governor and legislative Democrats routinely embed the idea of ‘fairness’ in every piece of legislation that comes out of this building. Yet to date, Connecticut Democrats have only agreed to a modest $100 million in tax relief for Connecticut’s 3.5 million residents, while signing off on at least $2 billion in raises and bonuses for 46,000 state employees. My constituents have been overtaxed and they deserve that money back.”