A measure that calls for state employee salaries to reach 90 percent of private-sector pay over a four-year period cleared the Senate today.
House Bill 3293, by state Rep. Leslie Osborn, removes salary structures from statute and gives authority to the Human Capital Resource Division of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to set pay structures and determine if targeted pay band adjustments are necessary, rather than the state doling out across-the-board pay raises as in years past.
“The state of Oklahoma is losing skilled and educated employees to retirement and the private sector,” said Osborn, R-Mustang. “Our state agencies need productive minds and ingenuity to fill those gaps, provide better services and address the problems of the future. This step towards creating competitive wages will greatly enhance the state’s ability to choose from the top recruits.”
House Speaker Jeff Hickman praised HB 3293, calling it a commitment to attracting and retaining quality employees who will provide efficient services to the people of Oklahoma.
“As stewards of the taxpayers’ money, it is our duty to provide core government services in a cost effective and productive manner,” said Speaker Hickman, R-Fairview. “To do so, we need to attract and keep great employees with competitive compensation.”
A recent study requested by the governor and state leaders found state employee salaries to be up to 20 percent below market, particularly in the areas of public safety, corrections and social services.
HB 3293 now moves to the House for review.
