State Workers

UW, WSU coaches earn highest state salaries

Just as he was the previous two years, University of Washington football coach Steve Sarkisian was the top paid employee on the Washington state government’s payroll in 2012.

Former Ecology employee sentenced in theft case

A former secretary with the Shorelands Program at the state Department of Ecology was sentenced to 30 days of electronic home monitoring Wednesday after pleading guilty to second-degree theft for making unauthorized expenditures using state-issued procurement cards.

Senate OKs 401(k)-style pension plans for state employees

A controversial plan to let future state employees opt into a 401(k) style pension plans – instead of fixed-payment pensions that most receive today – won passage in the state Senate by a narrow vote of 25 to 22 on Thursday.

Senate cool on some of Inslee’s appointees

For the second straight year, the state Senate is refusing to give its stamp of approval to Bernie Warner as corrections secretary.

Workers lose furlough battle

A judge ruled against the Washington Federation of State Employees on Friday, finding it was legal for the Legislature to require 10 unpaid furlough days last year for more than 24,000 workers.

Washington state lawmakers move to limit 'retire-rehire' policy

Washington state lawmakers are moving to limit a "retire-rehire" policy that allows state employees to collect both a pension and a paycheck.

WSDOT names director of Public Transportation

A veteran of bringing transportation choices to Washington, Brian Lagerberg has been named director of the Public Transportation Division at the state Department of Transportation.

State agencies closed Monday for furlough day

Many state agencies are taking a furlough day on Monday.

State offices to close Monday for furlough

More than 45 state agencies, boards or commissions are closing offices Monday to observe the eighth of 10 furloughs ordered by the Legislature last year to save money.

State estimates settlement option would save $1.2B

A business-backed Senate bill allowing a settlement option for the state's workers' compensation system would result in savings of about $1.2 billion during the next two years, according to a state estimate released late Tuesday.