Employees of the state, including legislators themselves, could become eligible for awards for work performance under new legislation brought before the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee Monday.
Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, pitched the plan to lawmakers, saying that under the proposal, all public employees would be able to receive awards from non-profit organizations, such as the Idaho Public Employees Association. The awards could be monetary or non-monetary in nature, and, under Ringo’s plan, would be exempt from possible charges of bribery or corruption.
One sticking point for lawmakers was language in the bill that allowed for the groups giving the awards to obtain prizes from local businesses. Rep. Stephen Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, questioned that, saying he doesn’t even want the appearance of favoritism or impropriety. He questioned the bill’s impact on legislators or employees who might be able to award contracts and then receive kickbacks in the form of awards.
Ringo assured Hartgen that state laws are currently in place to prohibit that type of illicit activity.
Rep. Pat Takasugi, R-Wilder, said the measure would go a long way to help encourage good work habits in state employees.
“I think it’s an avenue for public employees to receive recognition,” said Takasugi. ”We can give them something when we can’t give them raises.”
Before the vote, Rep. Bob Schaefer, R-Nampa, said he feels the bill is a good piece of legislation for the morale of state employees. “Public employees are glum after the past three years and this may help,” said Schaefer.
The was introduced on a unanimous vote by the committee and will receive a full hearing in upcoming weeks.
So does this new proposal include local elected officials or are they considered unworthy for “over and above” work they do?
Clay,
Thanks for the question. The only specification the legislation made was that public officials can only accept gifts from non-profit associations. So, I suppose if local officials are members of a non-profit association, they could receive awards.
This bill does not enable the use of public funds for awards for city or state employees.
Dustin, thanks for the reply. Not sure if I like it (the bill) or not. Shows partiality to Legislators that are lobbied financially all year long. This does not happen very much at local levels, yet that’s where the grass roots efforts to raise state revenue comes from. Local electeds are mandated to no more than $50.00 at a time except elections $1000.00 (one time)