A Closer Look at Louisiana Agencies’ Pay Raises

There's been a lot of controversy lately over state agencies giving pay raises to their workers as Louisiana continues to struggle with budget shortfalls.

According to the Associated Press, department chiefs say employee performance merited the salary increases as agencies cut staff and ask workers to do more. Some of the raises were given by Jindal administration cabinet officials in their final weeks in office.

Here's a closer look at some of the data provided to the AP by individual departments:

Transportation and Development:

3,802 employees
Raises given January 1
$4.1-million cost in current budget year
$8.6-million next budget year

Environmental Quality:

606 employees
Raises given December 21
$953,260 cost in current budget year
$1.9-million next budget year

Wildlife and Fisheries:

701 employees
Raises given December 21
$1.1-million cost in current budget year
$2.1-million next budget year

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority:

144 employees
Raises given in December
$317,000 current budget year
$423,000 next budget year

Insurance:

175 employees
Raises given January 4
$171,168 current budget year
$370,864 next budget year

Secretary of State:

265 employees
Raises given October 1
$368,329 current budget year
$491,105 next budget year

Agriculture and Forestry:

499 employees
Raises given between October 1 and December 31
$706,105 current budget year
$987,029 next budget year