The Wyoming House of Representatives has defeated an attempt to increase state, University, and Community College pay hikes from two percent to two and a half percent in each of the next two years.
Supporters say government employees have not had a raise in four years and many are leaving. But Speaker of the House Tom Lubnau finds that hard to believe. Lubanu says he has lost a number of employees to government employers.
“I can’t compete with the government for quality employees and I have employers all over my district who tell me the same thing. The cherry jobs outside of the major industries are those jobs that are for the government.”
Minority Floor Leader Mary Throne says it is a serious issue and some departments have faced a lot of turnover.