IF GOVERNOR MARTINEZ SIGNS THE BUDGET BILL, STATE WORKERS WILL GET ONE PERCENT PAY RAISES. BUT THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN IS REPORTING THAT MUCH OF THAT INCREASE IN PAY WILL BE EATEN UP BY A 15 PERCENT HIKE IN HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.
THE INCREASE WILL KICK IN IN JULY. PLUS, DEDUCTIBLES UNDER THE PLAN WILL GO UP MORE THAN 100-PERCENT. THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAYS HEALTH PLAN PREMIUMS HAVEN'T INCREASED IN FIVE YEARS.
