Budget Bills to Governor

     The legislature has forwarded the bills passed in the 7th special session (budget) to the Governor for her signature. 
     AZCPOA has received a number of inquiries regarding the salary reduction and furlough days.  Here is what was passed:
     The 2.75% performance pay implemented a few years ago will be terminated for all employees;
     All employees will take furlough days totaling 13 over the next 2 years to be determined by the Department of Administration and individual department heads:
     1 furlough day in FY 2009-10
     6 furlough days in FY 2010-11
     6 furlough days in FY 2011-12
     For 24-7 public safety agencies, such as the Department of Corrections, Legislative leaders and Department heads recognize there are problems associated with how to implement the furlough days.  There are ongoing discussions that may lead to a partial, if not full, exemption from furloughs for some employees inside public safety agencies (in particular, uniform staff).  As those discussions move forward (which AZCPOA is involved in), we will keep you advised.  Note that the removal of performance pay, and the use of furlough days to achieve the five percent reduction in salary required by the budget legislation, means that employee base pay will not be affected.
     The budget package also repeals the concession agreement statute passed last year that called for complete privatization of certain Department of Corrections facilities and inmates.