Lawmaker wants ban on pay raises

A state lawmaker has complained that state agencies may give their workers pay raises next year. Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, says government employees shouldn’t get salary boosts while the state is cutting services and eliminating programs. The governor’s budget proposal doesn’t include money for raises. But budget advisers say if agencies can cut enough spending to afford raises, they would be able to dole them out next year. Schroder, a member of the House budget-writing committee, says if agencies can find efficiencies, then that money should pay for service increases, not salary increases. State budget director Ray Stockstill says the only way state agencies can be prohibited from giving out raises is if civil service officials issue a rule stopping them.