Posted on April 25, 2019
HARTFORD- State Representative Gale Mastrofrancesco (R-80) this week voted against yet another employee contract that awards substantial salary and benefit increases to a small group of already well-paid union state employees while the state is in a state budget deficit.
“I could not in good conscious vote in favor of these lavish contract extensions and raises when middle class families in Southington and Wolcott continue to struggle to pay their own bills,” said Rep. Mastrofrancesco. “With Governor Lamont’s proposed tax increases on everything from veterinary services, to haircuts to youth sports it’s inconceivable that these contracts are being rubber stamp approved by the majority party. These approved state contracts make state government bigger in a time when Connecticut can least afford it, we need to trim the size of government not grow the bureaucracy.”
The current contract – the fifth such contract for union workers this session – provides a 13% salary increase over the next two years and an additional $2,000 lump sum payout for Deputy Wardens in the Department of Corrections. The contract also stipulates that those union members who currently receive longevity payments – bonuses paid for long-serving state employees – will continue to receive them. With passage of this legislation, their average salaries will increase from $99,602 to $115,256 annually.
The five contracts passed this session cover public defenders, Judicial branch employees, Assistant Attorney’s General and department heads, Department of Revenue Services tax attorneys and now, Deputy Wardens in the Department of Corrections. Many of these employees currently earn more than $100,000 annually. The contracts represent a $7.1 million annual hit to the state budget.