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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 22, 2015 11:28 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Robert F. Matzie |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Bonus Ban (former HB 1626) |
| In the near future, I will be re-introducing legislation – former House Bill 1626 – prohibiting state agencies from issuing bonuses to employees under their jurisdiction. The bonus ban will apply to all branches of state government and will ensure fair remuneration for all employees. Current Pennsylvania law does not prohibit state agencies from providing bonuses to employees. Whether a state employee works under the direction of the governor, a cabinet secretary, a statewide elected official, the legislature or the judiciary, opportunities for bonuses exist. While there is merit in providing incentives to hardworking employees, it is at least as important to protect the public trust by using taxpayer dollars in an open, transparent, and efficient manner. Too often, outgoing public officials, either elected or appointed, reward their employees with monetary bonuses not included in any state budget, contract or collective bargaining agreement. Subsequently, incoming officials are left with difficult budget decisions as a result of unforeseen expenditures. Furthermore, employees receiving a bonus are not on a level playing field with their peers in the same job classification, which may lead to serious workplace morale issues. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation banning bonuses for state employees. PREVIOUS COSPONSORS: SNYDER, BURNS, PETRARCA , CALTAGIRONE , O'BRIEN , MARSHALL , ROZZI, SANKEY, DeLUCA , COHEN , MURT , SWANGER , GILLEN, METCALFE , MILNE and GIBBONS |