pep talk

In years when the legislature meets and considers pay raises for state employees, as was the case this past spring, we usually get a spate of questions from employees around Sept. 1. The question of the day: what happened to our state-mandated across-the-board pay raise?

The short answer: there wasn’t one, at least not for most employees in higher education.

The long answer: there was a 2% across the board salary increase, but higher education employees were excluded, with the exception of Texas A&M University System service agency employees and the Higher Education Coordinating Board employees. 

The information ran in Impact in June (print) and July (online) as part of the legislative roundup. Fret not—UTMB does have dollars in the budget committed to paying for performance. Hopefully some of those dollars will make their way into your paycheck. Below is the specific language from the bill that passed; I highlighted the part that is relevant to us:

Sec. 19.62. Appropriation for a Salary Increase for State Employees. (a) As used in this section, “salary increase” shall mean a two percent (2.0%) increase in annual salary with a minimum of $50 per month increase in salary, to begin on September 1, 2007, and another increase in annual salary to occur on September 1, 2008, consisting of an additional two percent (2.0%) increase in the annual salary with a minimum of $50 per month increase in salary. (b) Contingent upon the Comptroller of Public Accounts certifying that there is a sufficient increase in available general revenue in excess of the amount shown in the January 2007 Biennial Revenue Estimate, the Comptroller of Public Accounts is hereby appropriated an amount estimated to be $242,742,663 out of the General Revenue Fund, an amount estimated to be $13,894,526 out of General Revenue–Dedicated, an amount estimated to be $73,648,946 out of federal funds, and an amount estimated to be $59,625,082 out of other funds and accounts to fund a salary increase described in Subsection (a) of this section for employees of state agencies, including employees of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and including employees of Texas A&M University System service agencies, as such a salary increase is reflected in the salary rates authorized elsewhere in this Act. (c) This section shall not apply to employees of institutions of higher education except for employees of a Texas A&M University System service agency, statewide elected officials, justices and judges of the appellate and district courts, district attorneys, criminal district attorneys, county attorneys performing the duties of a district attorney, line item exempt (non-classified) employees, salary Schedule C employees, or non-exempt staff at the Office of State Prosecuting Attorney.

The natives went restless this week when a sign went up at Cafe on the Court saying this would be the last week for sushi. I received no fewer than three “what’s up” calls—probably because I’ve blogged about sushi before—and it even became a brief topic of conversation in a staff meeting. I guess many of us have come to love those rolls of rice and seaweed. It’s quick, supposedly good for you and a welcome break from the standard lunch fare.

I put in a call to Brad Chandler, who manages food services for UTMB in his role as director of Morrison’s. I’ve worked with Brad; he’s a good guy. My experience suggests he likes to make his customers happy because ultimately, it’s good for UTMB and good for Morrison’s. So the news about losing sushi came as a surprise; a few months ago he’d mentioned how popular it was. Sure enough, the sushi is NOT going away. The current on-site sushi chefs are moving on, and that was behind the signage that led to the confusion and angst. For the next few months the sushi trays will be delivered; new on-site sushi chefs start in August. Keep your chopsticks handy.      

Someone asked me via rumors how many presidents UTMB has had. We actually didn’t get out first “president ” until Truman Blocker in 1967. Before him, the Medical Branch leaders had other titles, often ”CEO.”  Blocker was followed by William C. Levin in 1974, Tom James in 1987, and John Stobo in 1997. You can see these and a few other highlights from a link to a UTMB historical timeline I’ve been meaning to share.

A few people have asked whether I’d heard anything about whether the governor or legislature was going to grant a half-day holiday tomorrow. I haven’t. Even on the years when it has happened, we typically are notified late Thursday or mid-morning Friday. I wouldn’t hold my breath, but it’s remotely possible. If we get the word we’ll send out a special email broadcast notifying everyone, and post something to iUTMB. If it does happen, as in the past, the hospitals and clinics would stay open and those staff members would get the holiday time/pay to use in the next 12 months.  

In any case, to those of you who celebrate the holiday, have a Happy Easter. To those that don’t, have a great weekend.

I updated the rumors site Wednesday. Belly up to the buffet and enjoy. For those that have already visited and dropped me a note, thanks for the comments and words of support.

I’m working on a slightly overdue update to Rumors Trumors and had to laugh at one of the submissions, something about Kid Rock and Britney Spears and secret lives. The goal on rumors is to get something posted this week, but I am hoping to start winding down the site. It feels old and tired, and there are some other communication-related projects and ideas I’d like to bounce off my blog readers. You’ll have to stay tuned for details—and I’m not ruling out Britney and Kid Rock pics…