Pay raises in human services inequitable
An open letter to our legislators:
I know you have some difficult decisions to make over the next few months, but I feel compelled to share with you the following information. State employees who work with people with disabilities have received or will be receiving the following pay increases:
Jan. 1 and July 1, 2009: 2.5 percent
Jan. 1, 2010: 2 percent
July 1, 2010: 1 percent
Jan. 1, 2011: 1 percent
June 1, 2011: 2 percent
Jan. 1, 2012: 1.25 percent
Feb. 1, 2012: 2 percent
Total cumulative: 14.25 percent, plus merit increases
Service providers like Clearbrook have received the following increase for the same time period: 2009, 0 percent with reduction in grants; 2010, 0 percent with reduction in grants; 2011, 0 percent with reduction in grants; 2012, proposed 6 percent reduction and elimination of more funded programs.
The governor who ran on the premise to be the “human services governor” has proposed for 2012 a 6 percent reduction after developmental disabilities services generated well over $50 million when it converted grants to Medicaid in FY 2011.
I am not advocating special treatment, but how about fair treatment? Also a reduction to us means less money to the state from the federal match.
Lastly, please understand that cuts to us do not generate as much savings to the state as one may think. When our funds are reduced, people lose their jobs and become directly dependent on other state funds that are from the general revenue fund. Be fair!
Carl M. La Mell
President
Clearbrook