Nonunion state managers who were in line for pay raises this month will not get them, according to a recent letter from the administration of Gov. Dannel Malloy that cites biennial budgetary red ink now between $570 million and $900 million.
The pay raises were due to go into effect March 4.
“Today, however, the state’s fiscal situation has deteriorated significantly,” said the letter from state Office of Policy and Management Secretary Benjamin Barnes and Chief of Staff Brian Durand. “The raises for managers slated for March have been canceled.”
“As you know, the administration had intended to grant raises to managerial employees, effective this week, after having already delayed them twice this fiscal year,” the letter read. “It is our strong feeling that the contribution of managers to state government is essential and the raises slated to take effect this week ”“ most on March 4 ”“ would have given managers parity with those that were received by unionized employees and employees of the legislative branch on July 1, 2015.”
OPM placed next year’s budget shortfall will be “at least $570 million.” The state Office of Fiscal Analysis has projected it at as high as $900 million. “We have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Connecticut not to move forward with managerial raises at a time when so many state programs will see reductions and while many state jobs are likely to be eliminated,” said Barnes and Durand.
“This is in no way a reflection on their excellent and valuable work for the people of Connecticut, but the increases are no longer feasible.”
This cancellation of the managerial raises does not include the judicial branch, which has its own, separate process for making those decisions, according to a separate email from OPM.
