Kentucky state employment is not competitive with the private industry for working professionals. State employees have not had a raise of any significance since 2001. The last four years have been 0% raises and a pay cut. There are no promotional opportunities.
Because of the budget crisis, pensions are being cut, but because employee pension is based on employee pay, pensions had already been cut to the bone before pension reform even became an issue. And now they are being cut even more.
Kentucky state employees perform a vital service, and should be compensated competitively.