House advances measure limiting some pay raises at Oklahoma agencies

OKLAHOMA CITY — Raises and bonuses for some state employees would be capped under a bill approved by the Oklahoma House on Tuesday.

House Bill 3024, authored by Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, would limit pay raises and bonuses for executive branch employees at 10% of their base pay, barring a substantial title or responsibility change or a performance review.

The measure exempts certain employees, such as agency directors or CEOs, employees of “non-appropriated agencies,” positions requiring advanced degrees, licensing or accreditation,  and higher education, school district and career technology district employees. 

“We saw some agencies last year give tremendously big raises or bonuses, and we found out about it in the newspaper,” Lowe said. “That’s not the way it’s supposed to work.”

House advances measure limiting some pay raises at Oklahoma agencies • Oklahoma Voice