This article originally provided by WVMetro News

September 6, 2005

Special Session Agenda Ready

Staff
State Capitol

All state workers will receive a pay raise under legislation to be introduced by Governor Joe Manchin in a special session that starts Wednesday. Manchin released his 14-item agenda during a state capitol news conference Tuesday morning.

The pay raise package is not an across-the-board increase; instead teachers will receive a $1,350 raise along with full funding of increment pay increases for more experienced teachers. Manchin says following a full evaluation of all pay, he's also decided to give State Police troopers, correctional officers and child advocacy workers raises of 1,350. He says all other state workers will receive a $900 increase.

The special session agenda includes a reduction in the food tax "not to exceed 1-percent." The governor says he would like to reduce the six-percent tax more, but that would not be prudent. He says he remains committed to full elimination of the tax before he leaves office.

Manchin's agenda also calls for $93 million to reduce the debt in the state's retirement programs. Most of those funds will pay down the debt in the trooper’s retirement system.

The agenda also includes a bill to limit the amount of money that can be contributed to political campaigns. The proposal, aimed at limiting the influence of so-called 527 groups, places the contribution limit at $25,000.

Governor Manchin did not include gambling or locality pay issues on the special session call. He says table games gambling would have to be initiated by lawmakers. Manchin says locality pay is an issue for next year's regular session.

Note from AFSCME: Our lobbyists will be at the Capitol every day of the session and approximately 3000 names on our pay raise petitions will be presented on day one. Be prepared to call select legislators in your county as the session goes on (expected to be 7 days or more). In addition to pay raises, we will be watching very closely the interdepartmental employee transfer changes being proposed in lieu of layoff. Check our site often for updates during this session.