House budget writers today upped the pay raise for most state employees from 2.5 to 4.25 percent in their proposed $20.3 billion spending plan, while dropping a one-time bonus of $400.
The House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment by Rep. Dan Blue, a Raleigh Democrat, that would use lapsed salary money to cover the pay hikes.
It would bring the pay raises of most state employees nearly in line with the 5 percent pay raises being offered to teachers and community college faculty and adminstrators.
The State Employees Association of North Carolina had called for equal pay increases and threatened to try to halt the budget vote if House members didn't come through.
Some House members argued against the move, fearing that taking lapsed salary money from state agencies such as Health and Human Services or Corrections would leave them with little flexibility. But others contended that the change would lead to more budget transparency.
The change will boost the pay for most state employees, though the lowest paid workers would not see much difference in the first year. Roughly two-thirds of the state's non-teaching employees make $30,000 or more, which means they would see an additional $525 in salary or more.
Shortly after the pay raise change, the committee approved the budget proposal, which could clear the House this week.
