State lawmakers angry when they learn about pay hikes awarded by 4 top officials
Some state lawmakers are bristling at pay raises handed out by Louisiana's statewide elected officials while the state struggles with continuing budget shortfalls and repeated cuts.
Members of the House Appropriations Committee said they were angry and frustrated as they learned during a budget hearing that Treasurer John Kennedy, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain and Attorney General Buddy Caldwell have given salary bumps to various employees in their offices.
Both Donelon and Strain said they gave across-the-board 4% merit raises to classified employees this year because they couldn't sign a civil service form attesting that they didn't have enough money.
Republican Rep. John Schroder of Covington says it's wrong to give raises when the state had to make midyear budget cuts to services.
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