Staff Newsletter

Staff Senate

Points to Ponder: Governor's Budget Recommendations

Staff Senate recognizes that salary and compensation issues are topmost in the minds of our constituents, particularly after four years without raises and also with adjustments to insurance and retirement contributions.  One of the main undertakings of the Senate this year has been to advocate for salary increases for all employees.  So now that the 2014 Wyoming Legislature is in session and the State budget is under discussion, we thought it best to highlight the Governor’s budget recommendations concerning UW:

“I recommend $13.23 million general fund for pay increases at the University of Wyoming of 2.5% for 2015 and 2.5% for 2016.

This recommendation also includes $1.77 million (of the $49.97 million) over the biennium for one-time merit pay.  I recommend the State absorb both the employee and the State’s share of last year’s retirement contribution increases and the proposed 1.5% increase being considered for this year.  Finally, I recommend that the $17.1 million general fund in the State Auditor’s budget be used to cover estimated insurance increases and that the Legislature evaluate insurance on an annual basis going forward.”

These last two recommendations are important.  Wages at UW have not only remained flat over the last four years, but have declined in real terms with increased mandatory contributions to retirement plans and increased premiums for insurance. If modest pay increases are instituted this biennium, but increasing retirement and insurance contributions are not addressed, employees over the short- and long-term will see little real increase in wages.

The Joint Appropriations Committee has already been at work revising these recommendations and preparing a general appropriations bill for the legislature to consider.

You can view the Governor’s full budget proposal here.

You can get up-to-date information on the 2014 budget session here.

Contact Us

UW Staff Senate

Merica Hall, Room 320

1000 E. University Ave.

Dept. 3413

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-5300

Email: staffsen@uwyo.edu

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