State employee salaries might be frozen in the future if legislation put forth by Rep. Jim McGregor, R-Gahanna, passes.
Currently, a number of state-employed workers have salaries exceeding Gov. Bob Taft's by a considerable amount. Taft makes about $130,000 per year, and some legislators contend the governor should have the highest salary.
Numerous comments received by several representatives, including co-sponsor Rep. Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens, have prompted creation of this legislation.
"State employees can earn massive salaries, up to $250,000 or even higher. At the same time, we are experiencing our worst budget crisis in many years," Stewart said.
This legislation was introduced to the state legislature earlier this month.
"Currently the state of Ohio has budget problems and the budget was extremely difficult to balance this year," McGregor said. "We didn't deal with the structural problems then, but we have to now, or budget problems will become increasingly worse and even harder to balance next year. A rethinking of high salaries is needed because the state is not being financially responsible in a time of crisis."
The proposal would not cut salaries, but would prevent them from increasing. They could be frozen permanently, or until the governor's salary increases. Unionized hourly state employees would be exempt from the law if they made more than the governor because of the overtime hours, Stewart said.
"This legislation is calling upon our leaders for their experiences and the privilege of giving back to the state and our citizens. We need to quit asking for sacrifices from the people at the bottom and start asking at the top," McGregor said. "Most of the people who will be affected by this plan have a positive outlook and are willing to make the pay sacrifice."
Ohio University employees are among those who would be affected by this legislation if passed. At least 25 positions would have their pay frozen, including the president, provost and dean of students. In addition, universities and organizations across the state would experience salary freezing, McGregor said.
James Heap, OU's Dean of the School of Education, makes about $131,000 a year and is one of the 25 employees who could have his salary frozen. He said he would be willing to do his part to support the state, but he is concerned with the rationale of this proposal.
"This is questionable though, because of what the governor has provided for him -
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