SB 1222 has passed the Senate on a 34-1 vote. The bill eliminates the proposed 3 percent across-the-board pay cut for state employees, imposes a 5 percent general-fund reduction in personnel costs but "backfills" it with federal stimulus funds to bring the effect of the cut down to 3 percent; spends $17 million in stimulus money on local roads; lets the governor tap into reserve funds after lawmakers leave town if needed; and more. Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, told the Senate, "As long as we're standing here demanding additional services to our constituents, as long as we're standing here demanding that those services be delivered, then we'd better stand behind the state employees that we expect to deliver 'em. And that's what this motion is intended to do." Sen. Shirley McKague, R-Meridian, cast the only "no" vote.

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