Connecticut House Approves State Employee Pay Raises

0:00It's March 26, Hartford News today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. Connecticut's House of Representatives has approved a four-year contract for 3661 state employees, providing annual raises of up to 5%. The deal passed on a vote of 110 to 31, with 14 Republicans joining Democrats in support despite party line opposition from, most on the right. The agreement includes 2.5% general wage hikes, plus step increases in lump sums that bring the effective raise to 5%, each year. Fiscal estimates pegged the cost at $12 million for the current year, rising to $45 million by the contracts in. Democrats highlighted the need to fairly compensate essential service workers, like maintenance crews, cleaners, and cooks who keep state operations running. Republicans countered that these raises outpaced private sector gains, and could make Connecticut's state employee pay the nation's highest.

1:00This comes after a decade of wage freezes, benefit cuts, and a 10% drop in the executive branch workforce during lean times in the burs. 2010s. Union leaders argue the boosts are vital to stay competitive as an employer. Meanwhile, Governor Ned Lamont's administration has tentative deals with 10 other bargaining units, and over 30 more contracts loom. Many. Retroactive to July 1st, 2025. Law makers will tackle funding questions, including transportation fund solvency, and future budgets as cost mount.