Comment: The governor gave no raise as every single new contract was 0,0,0 for the next three years per negotiations.  Merit increases, which are not part of union negotiations, are being looked at for freezing but only represent 1.75% of the total deficit.  State employees also are having their health care contributions go up, and no employee starting since 2006 gets government pensions anymore.  The average pay for MOST classified employees is at or below industry average for the comparable job they are doing in the private sector.  ON TOP of that those Alaskans (Yes - they are people who live and contribute to the economy too) are also getting their PFDs capped.  All this why they watch coworkers get laid off and walk out the door.  I am here watching it happen, and it is terrible.  Facts are a wonderful thing.

Try and find a better argument than the problem being state employees.