Pay hike for gov’t workers discussed

House representatives to bicameral discussion on the fiscal budget are mulling over a proposal to set aside money to pay mandatory increase in the salary of government employees who are considered under frozen steps as required by a 1997 law.

This plan will be presented during the meeting this week with senators in an effort to hammer out a spending measure for FY 2001 acceptable to both chambers, according to House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta.

Public Law 10-76, enacted in the 10th Legislature, has authorized the governor to compensate employees on frozen steps of the payscale every two years, he said.

“We are looking into that whether the retroactive salary increase as provided by Public Law 7-31 is more a priority than the frozen pay level,” Mr. Babauta told in an interview yesterday.

House Ways and Means Committee chair Rep. Antonio M. Camacho, Mr. Babauta and Rep. Malua T. Peter met the other day to discuss its strategy during the bicameral conference that is set to be conducted within the week.

Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee chair Sen. Edward U. Maratita, Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes and Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano have been named as representatives from the upper house.

The House is expected to press reinstatement of initial funding set aside to the Judicial Branch, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Public Safety which were cut by senators to increase share of other programs and services.

Mr. Maratita has said, however, he would not compromise on the $2 million allotment to meet the obligations to former and existing employees who have been awaiting their 14 percent across-the-board salary hike since 1991 under PL 7-31.

Mr. Babauta maintained that will have to be discussed in the negotiating table whether or not this is more appropriate than pursuing the frozen pay scale as required by law that most of the 5,000 government employees are entitled to.

“This does not necessarily mean more money for personnel because that particular law authorizes the governor to reprogram funds and use other resources such as lapses to accommodate those frozen steps,” he said. “This has not been done since that law was enacted in the 10th Legislature.”

A budget deadlock took place last week after the House rejected changes made by the Senate to the proposed $221.66 million spending package, including bigger share for Rota and Tinian as well as scholarship and medical referral programs.

The move took away at least $10 million from the Executive Branch, including the $700,000 that the House earmarked for hiring of lobbyists in Washington D.C.