This is what our state, where voters are nearly evenly divided by party affiliation, has long asked of us to work together, said Rep. Reginald Bolding of Laveen, the top Democrat in the House. The other two aircraft would be available to the lieutenant governor, Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, the House Speaker, Senate president and chairs of legislative committees and agency officials. Learn about Deferred Compensation and how this important employee benefit can assist you in Saving for the Future. In K-12 education, negotiators reached general agreement on an almost $385-per-student increase in school funding an almost 5% boost that would bring funding to an average $8,143 for each of Florida's 2.9 million school kids. Their agreement adds $80 million in combined additional funding for Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, bringing their funding boosts in line with additional money already allocated to University of Arizona. Kathryn Palmer. U of A's $2.3 billion budget earmarks $51.5 million for employee raises. It creates a state version of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit that targets low-income households where someone is working and, in most cases, where there is a child. Log in via YES. Over the last eight years, Arizona has made responsible decisions to live within our means, reduce burdensome government regulations and increase trust in our citizens and the result is a booming economy with record revenues. Doug Ducey was expected to approve it. Its not just line DPS troopers that are getting premium pay; dispatchers, crime lab technicians, radio repair staff and many others are getting premium pay, which ends on June 30. But the fate of dollars for the rural and family lands program remained in flux late Tuesday. . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. DeSantis had called for pouring about $355 million into construction, home-buying and rent relief efforts. Ron DeSantis spends big in $99.7 billion budget proposal, Legislative session: Pay raises OK'd for state workers in Florida. ALL EMPLOYEES - ARIZONA STATE WITHHOLDING HAS BEEN UPDATED TO THE DEFAULT RATE 2.0%. Hundreds of millions are set aside for water infrastructure as the . I had a bill I really cared about that I wanted included in the budget, a tax cut for low-income working families, Bowie said. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Walmart plans to open multiple health centers in metro Phoenix as the retail giant expands its medical services initiative. PHOENIX (AP) Arizonas legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down long-term debts. Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early. All rights reserved. A spokeswoman for the agency could not say how many of those former employees were considered bullies and liars as well. Sen. Sean Bowie, a moderate Phoenix Democrat, joined with moderate Republican Sen. Paul Boyer to push for more school funding, noting that in all more than $1 billion in new school funding was in the plan, with more than half ongoing. Visit the Benefits Website Links to some of the frequently visited benefits information: Employee Discounts (including tuition discounts) With the increase, Fann's bill cuts benefits from 26 to 22 weeks once unemployment is back under 4.5%. The governor wants to hire. Ironically, it was the Legislature's most conservative lawmakers who forced the hands of GOP leaders when they balked at initial, smaller spending proposals. Doug Ducey wants to grant pay raises to nearly half of all state employees, with an emphasis on boosting salaries for law enforcement and corrections officers. As new information becomes available related to submitting a new 2023 A4, it will be published here. Note 1: Only available if the employee had no tax liability last year and does not expect to have any tax liability in the current year. The previous Form A-4 withholding rates are no longer representative of the new lower income tax rates. They apparently succeeded Tuesday, but still unclear in negotiations was whether teachers and staff in these districts would be eligible for the new school recognition awards. This is really just getting on a soap box and vilifying immigrants and creating a political point, Quezada said. A separate bill giving locality pay was scrapped in favor of this bill. The House amended the raise on March 7 and the Senate concurred this evening. Ducey hailed the deal, saying his policies of limited spending and regulation cuts can be credited for the surplus, although massive federal COVID-19 relief money also was a major contributor. GOP leaders decided to just take the easy road out, the path of least resistance and give up and just spend, said Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a Scottsdale Republican who voted against the budget. Arizona Lawmakers Approve Bipartisan $18 Billion Budget, Marisol Garcia, Vice President of the Arizona Education Association, speaks during a news conference at the Arizona capitol Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Phoenix. But still to be settled is more than $300 million in environmental spending earmarked by the Senate for the states rural and family lands program under the Agriculture Department. Any existing additional dollar amounts an employee had chosen to be withheld will not be changed. Not so much, according to public records obtained by The Arizona Republic. DeSantis on masks, Districts rebelled against DeSantis: Florida school districts rebel against governor's mask order, presenting political test, What DeSantis wanted: Helped by federal aid, Gov. You do not need to re-enroll to keep your current coverage elections for 2023. rookie California Highway Patrol officers start at $93,000 a year. HB 2805 was introduced by Republican Representative David Cook. Karamargin, Duceys spokesman, said there is increasing competitiveness in all sorts of jobs. Please review your AZ state withholding election again and make any change if you choose to. I was told the choice is that bill or more investment in K-12 schools, and I chose our K-12 public schools.. Employees and managers can monitor annual leave balances by logging in to YES and clicking on, Agency Human Resources Contact Information, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, Arizonas Employees Have New Tax Withholding Options. The firings of more than 100 auditors and collectors, who were among the lowest-paid employees at Revenue, ended up costing the state $83 million in lost revenue. Jun 10, 2022 Updated Jan 20, 2023. But aides said that promise was for over three years, meaning after he has left office. Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. Any hours in excess of the maximum carryover limits are subject to forfeiture. But for Democrats, this may have been the last chance for the foreseeable future to make an imprint on the state budget. "Weve got some quite a few critical positions that are vital to public safety," Karamargin said. DATABASE:Here's how well Ducey rewarded his staff, agency heads. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. The Arizona Freedom Caucus announced it would be filing a lawsuit challenging Gov. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. The budget does have a specific sensitivity to how the COVID-19 outbreak has highlighted the shortage of nurses in the state. The bill now heads to the Governors desk to await his signature to become law. Arizona House Republicans back universal school voucher expansion, Arizona Legislature begins hearings on state budget plan as deadline looms, Surprisingly wet winter pulls most of Arizona out of drought conditions, Annual Folk and Heritage Festival coming to Glendales Sahuaro Ranch Park this weekend, Phoenix passes source-of-income housing discrimination ban, Police arrest student for bringing firearm to high school in Phoenix, Walmart Health unveils plan to open 6 centers in metro Phoenix, Southwest farmers reluctant to idle farmland to save water, Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices, Sports gambling can be fun for adults, but its a dangerous game for children, Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays. C.J. The revised policy would provide the largest percentage increases to . Updated: 2022-06 . The package of budget bills passed with overwhelming support, highly unusual in the modern era. Tax cuts and revisiting voided pandemic restrictions also top agenda for new session. The 12 school districts targeted in the House's original proposal were looking to get the $200 million penalty removed from the state's school funding system. Other priorities in the governors program include: $248 million for targeted pay raises for state workers. It also eliminates the state equalization tax, a property tax for education, and backfills it with $330 million from the general fund. The larger raise for troopers came out of debate about locality pay for state troopers in competitive areas, particularly Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties. Average annual pay before overtime for non-supervisors is just over $70,000. Arizona has a legal right to challenge a federal provision that forbids using COVID relief money for tax cuts, appeals court rules. The Arizona Legislature on Tuesday began considering a $15.6 billion state budget package that pays down more than $1.2 billion in state debt but keeps in place most of a nearly $800 budget. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. Doug Ducey's administration is stepping up the firing of state workers, many of whom can be let go without explanation under a law enacted during his predecessor's administration that revamped the state's personnel system. As of last summer, the state workforce is down by 4,862 employees since Ducey took office, to 33,222. Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, is proposing a further reduction in that flat tax, to $1.5 billion. The bipartisanship extended to opposition a handful of conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats voted against the budget deal. Tiny majorities in both chambers meant opposition from a single Republican lawmaker was enough to sink the budget if Democrats were united in opposition. And just over a month ago, this is exactly what happened in Arizona, as former state CIO Aaron Sandeen passed the torch to our new state CIO Morgan Reed. Ducey, who last year offered teachers raises ofless than1 percent,has given 44 of his staff members raises of up to 20 percent each. Arizonas individual income tax rates were substantially reduced starting with the 2022 tax year. There is a growing sense that fallowing will have to be part of the solution to the increasingly desperate drought in the West. The Parks and Revenue departments both gave select staff members significant pay raises after mass firings at both agencies. . Senate Bill 531 applies to teachers, school counselors, school service personnel and State Troopers. Cleaning house: DES director fires 72 for being bullies, but did he go too far? For more information, refer to the web story from AZDOR:Arizonas Employees Have New Tax Withholding Options. The Legislature plans to return Thursday afternoon to take up legislation directing how the new water cash will be spent and other remaining bills, with an eye to adjourning for the year once those are completed. The Republican governors office did not announce that he was using cash from President Joe Bidens American Rescue Plan Act to provide 20% pay boosts to the states corrections officers, 15% increases to state troopers and 10% increases to workers at the departments of child safety, economic security, juvenile corrections, transportation and health services. It also eliminates the state equalization tax, a property tax for education, and backfills it with $330 million from the general fund. Lawmakers in the House and Senate ended a months-long impasse, working through the night to approve the budget shortly before sunrise. Most of the spending increases that were included in the FY 2022 budget are one- time (versus ongoing), which ho nors a core tenet of the Governor's focus on fiscal sustainability and avoiding over-burdening the State's budget, as was done in the mid -2000s with disastrous fiscal consequences. These cookies do not store any personal information. Tune in to FOX 10 Phoenixfor the latestnews: By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. GOP and Democratic leaders agreed to add $526 million in new ongoing funding for K-12 schools, a substantial increase from the GOPs initial proposal. A Valley teenager was arrested on Friday for bringing a firearm to Moon Valley High School, authorities said. Posted: 4:27 PM, Jun 28, 2022 . Nobody loves a budget once all the compromises are made, said Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray, R-Sun City. The Senates proposal excluded current Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democrat and candidate for governor, from having access to the funds. But how long is needed to finish the budget work appears to be an unknown at the moment. Those who have voted against it say they want to see a restructuring of DES before handing them more money. The improbable bipartisanship was enabled by an unprecedented surplus topping $5 billion, allowing for a broad array of new spending and savings. The rest of Arizona'spublic servants? But lawmakers have reduced that amount, targeting $209.5 million for housing initiatives, but limiting rental assistance efforts to about $100 million, with another $100 million establishing a hometown heroes program helping first responders, teachers and nurses with down payment assistance. The governors aides say business tax relief is justified based on data they say show that Arizona has the 10th highest industrial property tax rates in the nation. GOP and Democratic leaders agreed to add $526 million in new ongoing funding for K-12 schools, a substantial increase from the GOPs initial proposal. Now, this budget isnt perfect. But with inflation rising and many state agencies struggling to hire and keep employees, lawmakers have adapted to a new political reality. Every single budgets bad, Gray said. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Their agreement adds $80 million in combined additional funding for Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, bringing their funding boosts in line with additional money already allocated to University of Arizona. That includes $544 million for border security, roughly half of it for a wall, and $1 billion for highway construction, including widening Interstate 10 north of Casa Grande. 5 min read Despite failing to meet a late Tuesday deadline to finalize a 2022-23 state budget, House and Senate negotiators did manage to approve a 5.38% pay raise. In another dramatic move, lawmakers dropped a House-backed $200 million redistribution of funds from 12 counties that defied Gov. PHOENIX (AP) Arizona's legislature approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan early Thursday that will make substantial investments in public schools, build new highways and pay down. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. PHOENIX Arizona Gov. But for me, its encouraging that we have actually come together.. The added funding includes phasing in funding for low-income students starting at $50 million in the upcoming fiscal year and growing to $100 million in three years and special education. Have a story idea or tip? 100 N 15th Ave, #301. Merit pay for selected workers raised the average pay for state employees by4.2 percent, under Ducey. The Senate is adjourned until Monday, March 6, at 11 a.m. The 33rd annual Glendale Folk and Heritage Festival will bring hundreds of performers to Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park Saturday and Sunday. Any hours in excess of the maximum carryover limits are subject to forfeiture. Ironically, it was the Legislatures most conservative lawmakers who forced the hands of GOP leaders when they balked at initial, smaller spending proposals. Arizonas legislature has approved a bipartisan $18 billion spending plan making substantial investments in public schools and new highways. Please follow the steps below to log in: If you are not able to log in, please contact[emailprotected]or call (602) 542-4700, Option 4 for assistance. between 12/31/22 and 01/03/23 at 1 pm, the rate you may have seen may have been incorrect. Only a handful of dissenters from each party voted against the package of bills, and Republican Gov. Boyer, who started as a Senate staffer and has been a lawmaker for a decade, said this is the first bipartisan budget in at least 15 years. PHOENIX Buoyed by strong state revenues, Gov. The Governors Office estimates that 577,000 Arizonans will qualify at a cost of $74 million a year. Republicans are widely expected to expand their majority in the 2022 election thanks to new district boundaries that appear to favor the GOP. 40 workers fired by ex-DES chief may get jobs back Updated: 6:21 AM MST June 23, 2022 ARIZONA, USA Editor's note: The above video aired during a previous broadcast. A salary increase with a chosen percent pay increase. Cities and counties in Arizona are also struggling to fill positions because of low pay, and Ducey said in his state of the state address last week that his 15% pay hike would make troopers the best paid officers in the state. Sen. Martin Quezada, a Glendale Democrat, spoke out against plans to spend $335 million for a wall on the southern border, which he said would be useless in stopping people from crossing. Jeffrey Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, said the premium pay is sorely needed at the agency that not only patrols state highways but does investigations, runs a crime lab and does many other law enforcement jobs. 2023-01-02. . FOX 10's Matt Galka reports. TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - On Friday, Jan. 15, Arizona Gov. About 9 p.m. Tuesday, Trumbull and Stargel sent a memo to fellow lawmakers acknowledging that they wouldn't make a midnight deadline in time for a constitutionally required 72-hour waiting period before lawmakers can vote on the budget by Friday's last scheduled day of the 2022 session. More information regarding civic duty leave for the purpose of voting. Their agreement adds $80 million in combined additional funding for Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, bringing their funding boosts in line with additional money already allocated to the University of Arizona. Right now, you can only earn $30 before benefits are reduced. All rights reserved. The Senate completed action on a bill Thursday evening that will provide pay raises for state employees whose wages are outlined in state code. The budget also makes a $1.1 billion deposit into the pension fund for public safety and corrections officers, paying off the state's unfunded liability for future retirement benefits. He pointed to officer pay in Texas and California, where rookie California Highway Patrol officers start at $93,000 a year.
