An interim study on state employee market compensation, which OPEA requested through Rep. Leslie Osborn (R-Mustang), has been approved by the House leadership.
“OPEA brought the concept of market compensation to me,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa). “I support the study and the Senate will participate.”
Rep. Osborn held a press conference on the issue with OPEA leaders at the Association’s day at the Capitol in April.
“I want the Legislature to focus on Oklahoma’s dedicated state employees,” Osborn, told the press. “I believe they often get overlooked by our legislative leaders, and I believe it’s time to start paying attention to them.”
Osborn said she wants to focus her efforts on an interim study aimed at determining the possibility of adopting a market-based compensation plan for all state employees.
“This would be a comprehensive study that could help bring state employee salaries closer to private sector pay,” Osborn said.
She added that it would be in the state’s best interest to invest more in its employees because training new workers costs Oklahoma millions of dollars every year.
“High turnover in state agencies translates to inefficiencies and a loss of productivity,” Osborn said. “It’s important to keep a trained, knowledgeable workforce to help protect the core functions of government.”
OPEA will be participating in the study which will begin in late-October.
OPEA Monitors Interim Studies
In addition to the Interim Study on State Employee Compensation, OPEA will be monitoring other interim studies of interest to state employees.
“The legislative session is too short for in depth study on issues,” said OPEA Policy Director Trish Frazier. “Legislators use interim studies to look into issues that may be potential legislation for the next session.”
Below is a list of Interim Studies OPEA has identified to attend and provide input. For a full list of House interim studies click here. For the Senate click here.
Centralized Fleet Reform
Review the Implementation of [Government] Modernization Reforms
Future [Government] Modernization Reforms
Analysis of the State Pension System
Strategic Funding for the State Pension System
State Agency Loss of Federal Funding Contingency Plans
Department of Corrections and prison staffing
Reform of State Veterans Homes
Structure of the War Veterans Commission
Study the DHS Pinnacle Plan
Administrative Law Judges to an independent agency
Unclassified employment status for the Department of Consumer Credit Employees
Study on Private Prisons
Inmate escapes from the William S. Key minimum security prisons
