Ratifies contracts with State Patrol troopers and inspectors, building trades union, and applies changes to payday loan regulations.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today took action on three bills, including two bills providing wage increases for certain public employees such as State Patrol troopers and inspectors and employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit. 

Not among the state employee wage increases that the governor signed into law today is already-approved pay raises for about 35,000 University of Wisconsin System employees. The governor is currently suing legislative Republicans for unconstitutionally obstructing the University of Wisconsin System employees wage increases that were already approved by the Legislature and the governor through the biennial budget process.

“I am glad to be signing these two bills into law providing much-needed and well-deserved wage adjustments for our State Patrol and other folks in state service,” said Gov. Evers. “State employees are dedicated public servants who work diligently each and every day to serve our neighbors, our communities, and our state. I will always advocate for these folks to receive the wages they deserve and earn for their good work, which is why I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that already-approved wage increases for about 35,000 UW System faculty and staff continue to be unconstitutionally obstructed by Republicans for no real reason whatsoever.”

Senate Bill 554, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 38:

• Ratifies the collective bargaining agreement for State Patrol troopers and inspectors in the public safety employee bargaining unit for fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25, as negotiated between the Division of Personnel Management within the Wisconsin Department of Administration and the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Association;
• Provides a four percent general wage adjustment, effective July 2, 2023, and an additional two percent wage adjustment, effective June 30, 2024, for employees in this bargaining unit who meet a satisfactory performance rating;
• Provides for a market wage increase of $5 per hour for all employees in the bargaining unit; and
• Increases the allowances for meal and bag meals, foot protection, lodging, and standby pay to match the rates established for nonrepresented employees in the 2023-25 compensation plan proposed by the Division of Personnel Management.

Senate Bill 555, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 39:

• Ratifies the collective bargaining agreement for State of Wisconsin employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit for fiscal year 2023-24, as negotiated between the State of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee; and
• Provides a four percent general wage adjustment for employees in this bargaining unit who meet a satisfactory performance rating, effective July 2, 2023.

The governor also signed:

Senate Bill 259, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 37:

• Creates a transaction-based exemption from payday loan regulations, applying only to transactions with no finance charge or fee.