Longevity bonus debate impacts state

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - Nearly everyone knows by now that state government is running at least a half billion dollars in the red in the current year and projected to be billions in the hole in the future. Yet thousands of state employees are in line to get millions of dollars in what are called longevity bonuses on April 1st.

The Governor’s Chief of Staff, Lisa Moody, who is paid about $155,000 a year, is scheduled for a bonus of approximately $10,000.

Chief State’s Attorney Kevin Kane, who is paid about $160,000 a year, is in line for a bonus of about $9,000.

House Republican Leader Larry Cafero wants quick action on a proposal to suspend the bonuses.

“Non-union get anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000 twice a year, half each, October and April. We think we cannot afford it at this time,” said Rep. Cafero.

Unionized state employees get the bonuses too. But they top out at about $1,000 and are subject to collective bargaining contracts.

The Speaker of the House, Chris Donovan, said he is open to the idea.

“You call them bonuses, whatever you want, it’s part of their salary. We would have to say that we’re taking some salary away from people that they expect but that’s what we’re asking everybody to do,” said Rep. Donovan.

“We could be in for a lawsuit that says, basically, it’s considered wages, you can’t take it away. We can cap it, but we cannot take it away,” said Governor Jodi Rell.

The Governor said the labor lawyer for her administration has advised against taking the bonuses away.

“We proposed that to stop for anyone who had not yet reached ten years because it doesn’t start until ten years and then capping it for those who are currently in the process. In other words, once you reach 20-years you get a certain amount; you don’t get another bump in that until 25 years,” Gov. Rell said.