State and Local Governments Are Hiring Again

As reported by The Pew Charitable Trust’s publication, Stateline, many states and localities are now hiring, buoyed by an improving economy and better-than-expected revenue.

A combination of variables is producing the new trend, as described,

Nearly three-quarters of states and localities reported making new hires in the past year, according to a recent report, the second year in a row the jurisdictions put new people on the payroll. “I’m cautiously optimistic,” said Elizabeth Kellar, CEO of the Center for State & Local Government Excellence, a nonprofit that helps government attract workers and one of three groups that conducted the survey. “It’s generally good news that they are able to hire again and are seeing salary gains, [although] they are still lagging behind the private sector.”

Much of the hiring is driven by “pent-up demand” from the recession years, along with a burst of retirements by people who feel more confident about leaving their jobs now that the economy is recovering, she said.

For more information, see the full story from Stateline.

Ms. Kellar spoke at last year’s MACo Summer Conference Session on state and local pensions funding policy, sponsored by the Maryland Association of County Human Resources Officers (see: Maryland’s Progress Towards Pension Security). This year, the Association will sponsor a session on the Affordable Care Act’s excise tax on certain healthcare plans and the costs it may present to Maryland county governments.

Here Comes the Cadillac Tax will be moderated by Senator Addie Eckardt on Friday, August 14, 2015, from 1-2 p.m in Ocean City, Maryland. Speakers include: Mark L. Lynne, CEBS, President, Health Plan Consulting Division, Bolton Partners, Inc.; Brian Bowden, Health Lobbyist, National Association of Counties; and Lee Diemer, Director, Employer Sales, BenefitFocus.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference:

For a schedule of educational sessions at MACo’s Summer Conference, please view theRegistration Brochure.

Questions? Contact Meetings & Events Director Virginia White.