Alternate State Bonus Plan Fails

     PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota's 13,000 state workers are up
for a pay raise after three years without one, but a plan outlining
an across-the-board $2,300 for all public employees won't move
forward this legislative session.
     Sioux Falls Republican Rep. Gene Abdallah, the bill's prime
sponsor, says his plan offers more bonus pay to workers earning
low-end salaries.
     He says Gov. Dennis Daugaard's plan, which suggests a bonus
equaling 5 percent of each worker's salary, would give more to top
earners.
     But state budget director Jason Dilges says though Rep.
Abdallah's plan sparked a creative search for the solution, a
"one-size fits all" bonus won't best reward state workers. Dilges
says he is confident both sides can work together for the optimal
solution.
     The House Appropriations committee killed the bill Thursday,
6-2.