July 30, 2008

Market based pay needed for State Engineers - A Star Tribune article by Bob von Sternberg (612-673-7184) in the July 29th edition makes the argument that state engineers ought to be paid market rate.
DFLers want more frequent bridge inspections  by Bob Von Sternberg  vonste@startribune.com
The legislators' bridge safety proposal would have checks once a year and raise pay for MnDOT engineers.  With the first anniversary of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse approaching, DFL legislators proposed a package of changes to state law Monday that they said will improve bridge safety in the state.  The legislation would require more frequent inspections and make it easier to increase the pay for engineers who work for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).  Coming just two days after concrete fell from an I-35E overpass in St. Paul, the DFLers' news conference is the first step toward introducing the proposed bill in the next legislative session.  They said they all believe Minnesota's bridges are safe, "but stuff keeps happening," said Sen. Jim Carlson, DFL-Eagan. "These pieces of concrete falling off bridges are dangerous, not something that needs to be treated lightly."  Under the proposal, all bridges would be inspected once a year, closing a loophole that can allow the timetable to exceed 12 months.  It would allow department engineers to be paid more than allowed under the state salary cap, which the lawmakers said would help in recruiting and retention of engineers.  That could ultimately save the state money, said Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, by not having to contract out hiring to private engineers at higher salaries.  Another change would be to formally include safety in the department's statutory mission.  Between now and the beginning of the session in January, the legislators said they plan to sit down with MnDOT managers to refine their proposal.  In an e-mail, department spokeswoman Lucy Kender said Monday that officials "welcome the opportunity to work with legislators on their proposal. We will have the affected offices take a look at the bill over the next few weeks, and then we will have further discussions with legislators over the next couple of months."   Link: www.startribune.com/politics/state/26008999.html?location_refer=$urlTrackSectionName

Health Reimbursement Account of up to $250 for all state employees, new debit card - Recognizing that market-based efforts to contain costs in the state employee health plan are working, Governor Pawlenty announced a plan to provide up to $250 in a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for all state employees who elect to receive their care from high quality, low cost providers. The State is able to fund the HRA account to reward its employees because of better-than-expected trends in the Minnesota Advantage Health Plan. The HRA accounts will be made available via debit card in January 1, 2009.  In addition, DFER will also give all state employees a debit card to better manage their health care expenses including access to their existing Flexible Spending Account (FSA).  Currently, only 30% of state employees take advantage of these accounts.  By eliminating the barriers to participation, such as cumbersome paperwork, it is expected that more state employees will participate in the FSA while current members are likely to increase their current election amounts.  FSAs lower taxes for employees, improve the affordability of health care, and make employees more conscientious health care consumers.