Many Oklahoma Employees Get Raises Despite Salary Freeze

<p>Thousands of state employees received pay raises last year and thousands more were hired despite warnings of an approaching budget shortfall and a personnel freeze ordered by Gov. Fallin.</p>

Sunday, February 7th 2016, 5:47 pm

By: News On 6


Thousands of Oklahoma state employees received pay raises last year and thousands more were hired despite warnings of an approaching budget shortfall and a personnel freeze ordered by Gov. Mary Fallin.

The Oklahoman reports in a copyright story that the freeze included exceptions when justification could be shown.

State officials say the raises were needed to keep high-quality employees from taking jobs in the private sector or with the federal government and that because agencies were downsized, the savings were used to reward remaining workers who are asked to do more.

Fallin said the freeze was meant to be flexible and that she believes it prevented unnecessary spending.

The state faces an estimated $1 billion hole in next year's budget and agencies have been ordered to cut budgets by 3 percent.
 

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

February 7th, 2016

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 28th, 2024