State employees haven't had a pay increase since 2007, not 2008. They have two options with insurance coverage - single or family. The State should consider working with BC & BS to offer plan options which would save a TON of money. For example, most folks nearing retirement or who are retired, don't need an option for orthodontics, OB services, etc. If employees were offered "a la carte" options - where coverage that costs more to provide costs more to the employee, only those who CHOOSE to carry the coverage would pay the increased premium. Orr is correct in stating that many State employees salary is less than $25,000 per year (this means they "bring home" about $13,000 per year). In particular, these folks would appreciate being able to select only the services that are necessary for themselves or their families. Many of these folks are still recovering from the increase to thier bi-monthly retirement contribution that the Legislature implemented last year.

I find it very hard to believe that no merit or step raises have not been given since 2007. Cost of Living raises used to be given during election years only, so I can see where it could have been 2007/2008 since a Cost of living raise was given. If the rest of us are going to have to pay for Obama care, then why not state employees too?

Freeze costs and current employees and privatize future workers.

DECATUR, Too bad that you are having such a hard time, but it's a fact. Merit increases were frozen in 2007. The same year that the Legislature voted themselves a 62% increase. COLA's were gone before that. WHAT on earth gives you the impression that someone suggested State Employees shouldn't "pay for Obama care"? Take off the RED colored glasses.

Dave - Have you bothered to review the activity of Alabama's current administration? Not only have costs been frozen for more than 5 years. there have been "draconian" cuts. I suppose you haven't bothered to review the results of privitazation in other States either. If you had you'd see that these States are now paying MORE for the same services. Sure, the first year was great! Private companies said they could provide the service for pennies on the dollar. After the first year, they realized that was impossible and increased their rate substantially(or this was their plan all along). Since the merit system had been disbanned, there wasn't much the States could do except PAY. Oh....and the quality of service actually went DOWN. But, I'm sure we're headed in this direction. Because as someone said in another post, Alabama seems to always vote against their own best interest.

I seen in the article that 17 million was for federal mandates 17 million divided into 120,000 divideded into 12 comes to $11.81 increase My question is this who is increasing the other 54 million and why are you not even more angry at that than the privatized greed of $37.50 increase the greed portion is a 300 percent more than the mandates!