Lee boosts pay for Tennessee prison guards
Gov. Bill Lee is boosting starting pay by 37% for newly hired prison guards and hiking salaries by at least 15% for current corrections officers.
State Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston) praised the move:
“This is great news not only for the deserving workers who receive the pay raise and their families, but for the safety of all Tennesseans. These positions are extremely important to operations in our prisons and are some of the most challenging and dangerous jobs in state government. Governor Lee’s action to increase salaries is critical in keeping our veteran officers on the job whose valuable experience helps to make our prisons safe. The increase in salaries will benefit many correctional officers and help alleviate the problem Tennessee has experienced in filling and keeping correctional officers in a very competitive labor market.”
Here’s the release from the governor’s office:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced a competitive 37% salary increase for new Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) correctional officers amid nationwide staffing challenges, effective Dec. 16.
“As we face staffing shortages across the country, rewarding officers with competitive pay will ensure we recruit and retain the most highly qualified individuals in our workforce,” said Gov. Lee. “These Tennesseans play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and we remain committed to valuing their important work.”
The 37% salary increase for new TDOC correctional officers will raise annual starting pay to $44,500. Current security staff will receive a minimum 15% pay increase.
Additionally, TDOC provides a competitive benefits package including:
- Insurance coverage and retirement benefits
- Paid holidays and vacation
- Tuition reimbursement and college degree programs
- Equipment and uniforms provided
- Overtime/compensatory time pay
TDOC will continue to offer a $5,000 hiring bonus and part-time opportunities for current or retired law enforcement to meet staffing needs.
“The men and women who work in facilities across Tennessee are dedicated public servants,” said TDOC Interim Commissioner Lisa Helton. “This salary increase makes our agency more competitive in attracting new talent and is a well-deserved raise for those currently serving our state.”
Individuals interested in a TDOC career can find more information and apply here.
Lee recognizes five state employees’ military service
Gov. Bill Lee is recognizing the service of five state employees in honor of Veteran’s Day.
Here’s the release from the Department of Veterans Services:
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Tommy Baker and Tennessee Military Department
Adjutant General, Major General Jeff Holmes will recognize five veteran state employees and will honor nearly 456,000 veterans living in Tennessee on Wednesday, November 9, at 11 a.m. CST on Tennessee Tower Plaza in Nashville.
— Matt VanEpps, Office of the Governor, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, 5 years of outstanding state service.
— John Johnson, Department of Human Services, Assistant Commissioner, 10 years of outstanding state service.
— Jerry L. Seabolt, Department of Agriculture, Consumer Protection Director, 17 years of outstanding state service.
— John (Tripp) Voss, Military Department, Emergency Management Administrator, 15 years of outstanding state service.
— Tina Robinson, Department of Environment & Conversation, Environmental Manager, 29 years of outstanding state service.
WHO: Governor Bill Lee, Commissioner Tommy Baker, Major General Jeff Holmes
WHEN: Wednesday, November 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. (CST)
WHERE: Tennessee Tower Plaza, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Nashville
NOTE: In case of inclement weather, the event will be relocated to the third floor of the TN Tower.
Tennessee launches $20M program for state employee buyouts
The state of Tennessee this week offered voluntary buyout offers to 625 employees working in 282 positions. The current budget includes $20 million for the program offering incentives for workers to give up their executive branch jobs.
The Human Resources Department says eligible positions were identified by job classification and that others may be targeted moving forward.
Gov. Bill Lee’s administration initially propped a $50 million pool to fund buyouts for state employees. Finance Commissioner Eley said the program
is roughly on par, when adjusted for inflation, with the $35 million in buyouts then-Gov. Phil Bredesen’s administration offered to government workers during the Great Recession, which he said resulted in about $65 million in recurring savings. But the Lee program was later dialed back to $20 million.
The Tennessean reports certain departments are being targeted reductions: 74 at Environment and Conservation, 64 in Human Services, 51 in Finance and Administration, and 32 in Education.
Here’s who the TSEA isn’t endorsing in the primaries
The House meets at the state Capitol in Nashville on June 1, 2020. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
The Tennessee State Employees Association has announced its endorsements in legislative primaries around the state. The TSEA gave the nod to the 11 incumbents running for re-election in the Senate and 58 sitting members in the House.
The group endorsed former Rep. Page Walley in the Republican primary for the open Senate 26 seat against former Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton. It also gave the nod to former Rep. Scotty Campbell over National Guard Lt. Col. Neal Kerney in the GOP primary to succeed Rep. Timothy Hill (R-Blountville).
The list of members who did not receive a TSEA endorsement includes some prominent members like House Majority Leader William Lamberth, House Minority Leader Karen Camper, House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, and Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ken Yager.
The TSEA said further endorsements will follow after the primary.
The early voting period for the Aug. 6 contests begins on Friday.
Here’s the full list of incumbents who didn’t get the TSEA endorsement (for the ones who did, click here):
SENATE:
- District 8: Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains)
- District 10: Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga)
- District 12: Ken Yager (R-Kingston)
HOUSE:
- District 1: John Crawford (R-Kingsport)
- District 5: David Hawk (R-Greeneville)
- District 9: Gary Hicks (R-Rogersville)
- District 10: Rick Eldridge (R-Morristown)
- District 11: Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby)
- District 12: Dale Carr (R-Sevierville)
- District 21: Lowell Russell (R-Vonore)
- District 26: Robin Smith (R-Hixson)
- District 28: Yusuf Hakeem (D-Chattanooga)
- District 29: Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah)
- District 33: John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge)
- District 39: Iris Rudder (R-Winchester)
- District 41: John Mark Windle (D-Livingston)
- District 44: William Lamberth (R-Portland)
- District 46: Clark Boyd (R-Lebanon)
- District 47: Rush Bricken (R-Tullahoma)
- District 50: Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville)
- District 51: Bill Beck (D-Nashville)
- District 53: Jason Powell (D-Nashville)
- District 55: John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville)
- District 58: Harold Love (D-Nashville)
- District 59: Jason Potts (D-Nashville)
- District 62: Pat Marsh (R-Shelbyville)
- District 68: Curtis Johnson (R-Clarksville)
- District 81: Debra Moody (R-Covington)
- District 87: Karen Camper (D-Memphis)
- District 89: Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville)
- District 92: Rick Tillis (R-Lewisburg)
- District 94: Ron Gant (R-Rossville)
Work from home extended for state employees
The doors of the state Capitol were closed to the public on March 16, 2020. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
The about 23,000 state employees who have been working from home because of the coronavirus pandemic will be doing so for another month.
According to a memo from the state Department of Human Resources, the work from home arrangement has been extended until at least May 26. Meanwhile, Gov. Bill Lee this week began reopening segments of the economy like restaurants and retail stores.
About 18,000 state employees, or 44% of the total full-time workforce, have still been required to come to work during COVID-19. Changes are being made to account for the new workplace realities.
“Not only will this help the State of Tennessee reboot from the current crisis, it will also prepare our workforce for the future,” according to the memo.
Here’s the full memorandum:
Dear State Employees,
Thank you once again for your commitment to maintain services to support the health, welfare, and safety of Tennesseans during the pandemic. As we strive to continue business in the safest, most responsible way possible, please review the following announcements regarding work from home, state facilities, workforce recalibration, and mission critical hiring.
Work From Home Extension
To support efforts to maintain social distancing, the directive for employees who are able to work from home is being extended to at least Tuesday, May 26. While work from home will continue where possible, the state is developing plans for a phased approach to return to state offices where needed. The plans will support site-critical employees in returning to their worksites safely. At the same time, work from home may continue for employees who are fully virtually enabled as a means to support social distancing.
State Facilities Update
Efforts are underway to ensure workspaces are ready to support safe employee return. The State of Tennessee will continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Health (DOH) for the cleaning and disinfecting of state facilities and usage of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Lee signs order granting 12-week paid family leave for state workers
Gov. Bill Lee speaks at a groundbreaking event in Nashville on Dec. 13, 2019. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday that state workers will be eligible for 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child or an ill family member. That will make Tennessee the first state in the nation to offer the full package of coverage under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, Lee said.
Here’s the release from the governor’s office:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Gov. Bill Lee announced that Tennessee will provide paid family leave for state employees. The Governor signed an Executive Order today directing the Tennessee Department of Human Resources to issue the new policy effective March 1.
“Strong families make for strong communities, and I am proud that Tennessee will lead the nation in supporting our employees,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “This is an impactful investment in the state workforce and will allow us to continue to attract and retain the best workforce possible.”
While 69% of full-time working Americans believe that receiving paid parental leave is important when looking for a job, only 17% of employees across the U.S. have access to it. One additional month of paid family leave is associated with a 13% drop in infant mortality.
“Paid family leave will improve quality of life for state employees both at work and at home. I am grateful to Governor Lee and Senator Dickerson for making this a priority,” said Lt. Governor Randy McNally.
“I appreciate Governor Lee’s desire to support our state employees through this initiative, and I support the idea of allowing new mothers and fathers opportunities to spend more quality time with their newly adopted or newborn children. I look forward to working with the Governor, the House and Senate, Rep. Helton and our Fiscal Review Committee to determine the best ways we can continue to strengthen our Tennessee families,” said Speaker Cameron Sexton.
“Paid family leave for state employees builds upon our recent efforts creating safe, nurturing environments for our children, while strengthening bonds between parents and their newly adopted or newborn sons and daughters. This important benefit levels the playing field for our state departments, agencies, and the General Assembly so we can attract and retain the best and brightest employees. I applaud Governor Lee for this pro-family initiative because it supports those who work tirelessly on behalf of this state to make it the best in the entire nation,” said House Majority Leader William Lamberth.
“I am pleased to sponsor this bill so our state government can continue to retain the finest employees possible,” said Chairman Steve Dickerson.
“Tennessee is proud to be a pro-family state, and this initiative strengthens our commitment to families and is a step in the right direction. We have all experienced scenarios where we have had to choose between work and family. This initiative ensures our state employees will no longer have to make that difficult choice, and I am honored to serve as co-prime sponsor of this legislation in the House,” said Representative Esther Helton.
This new policy confirms Tennessee state government’s position as a pro-family employer while also improving its ability to effectively serve taxpayers by reducing turnover rates for high performing employees and reducing long-term state health care costs.
The expanded paid family leave will apply to all state executive branch employees subject to the TEAM Act and will not include a mandate on private business. Included in this policy is parental leave, making Tennessee the tenth state employer to offer benefits to parents in addition to the federal government. Qualifying events will be consistent with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The new policy will go into effect on March 1 to provide sufficient time for the Department of Human Resources to draft policy guidance, train managers, and ensure accurate tracking of time and leave.
Here are Gov. Lee’s proposed raises for state employees
Gov. Bill Lee delivers his first State of the State address in Nashville on March 4, 2019. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Here’s a look at the $157 million in state employee raises Republican Gov. Bill Lee is proposing for the upcoming budget year:
1. State Employees Salary Pool:
a. 2% Salary Pool – Pay for performance – TEAM Act agencies: $28.8 million (effective 1/1/2020).
b. 2% Salary Pool – Across the board – Non-TEAM Act agencies: $6.7 million (effective 7/1/2019).
c. Market rate adjustment: $18.5 million.
2. Higher Education – Included in Funding Formula:
a. 2% Salary Pool – Formula Units: $22 million.
b. 2% Salary Pool – Non-Formula Units: $8.5 million
JLL now pitching privatization to community college campuses
A year after its massive state contract was finalized, Jones Lang LaSalle is doubling down on efforts to get individual university and college campuses to sign on to outsourcing their custodial, landscaping and maintenance services, reports Nashville Post Politics.
TSEA endorses Harwell for GOP gubernatorial nomination, Fitzhugh for Democratic nod
Press release from Tennessee State Employees Association
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Employees Action Movement (TEAM-PAC) the official PAC of TSEA, today voted to endorse Beth Harwell in the Republican Primary and Craig Fitzhugh in the Democratic Primary in the race for Governor in Tennessee. Continue reading
Legislator’s relative, others lose jobs in shutdown of Fall Creek Falls State Park Inn
Fewer than half the state employees who lost their jobs when the Fall Creek Falls State Park’s Inn and Conference Center was closed — months before its scheduled demolition to make way for building a new $30 million facility – got new state jobs and some of those who did are paid less and face a much longer drive, reports Sam Stockard. Some are blaming state officials for poor planning.
