Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-5774
For Immediate Release: January 28, 2008
Sen. Kenneth Corn
Sen. Corn – State Employees Must be a Priority
With state employees having
received only two pay increases in the past seven years, Sen. Kenneth
Corn on Monday said the Legislature must make state employees
a priority and provide them with a pay raise this year.
Corn is the author of SB 1379, which authorizes a $2,700 pay raise
for Oklahoma state employees. Corn said state employees provide
valuable and indispensible work, and should be at the top of the
list when state funds are dispersed.
"From those who care for our elderly and children to those
who ensure the safety of our highway and police our prisons, state
employees provide essential services around the clock for Oklahomans,”
said Corn, D-Poteau. "Every segment of our society is touched
by these dedicated workers, and it’s time for us to take
care of them."
Corn said the need for a state employee pay increase has been made
even more essential as the legislature has been under-funding various
state agencies in recent years.
“With agency budgets in such a crunch, many state employees
have had to perform the work of two or three people when a vacancy
is left unfilled,” he said.
Corn added the legislature should be especially appreciative of
the many state employees who are currently working in hazardous
situations.
“Our highway workers have some of the most dangerous jobs
in the state,” he said. “Not to mention our correctional
officers who stand between inmates and the public. These people
deserve our support.”
Corn said he expects support for his legislation from both sides
of the aisle.
"This is an issue which should not be politicized," he
said. "Just as state employees work for all of us, we should
now take this opportunity to do right by them."
For more information contact:
Senator Corn's Office: (405) 521-5576
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