Pay Raises Could Be Tied To Pensions Plan
Oklahoma House leaders want pension overhaul linked to targeted pay increases
BY RANDY ELLIS
Members of the state House of Representatives would like a commitment from the governor and Senate to fund targeted pay increases this year before signing off on a pension overhaul bill, state Rep. Leslie Osborn, R-Mustang, said.
“I think the dollars are there. We may just have to make some hard decisions in other areas,” said Osborn, author of a bill to revamp the state’s employee compensation system.
Osborn has the support of House Speaker Jeff Hickman.
“I don’t think we can simply reform the pension plans now and tell our state employees, ‘We’ll get to the salary issue later,’” said Hickman, R-Fairview.
Hickman said he would like to see House members consider the pay raise bill and pension bill one right after the other on the House floor.