House committee members raise concerns about Morrisey’s executive branch reorganization bill
If the Legislature approves HB 2008, the changes would go into effect July 1. But provisions of the bill would eliminate new hires in the combined departments – excluding the West Virginia State Police – from being protected by classified civil services protections beginning in July. The bill would also exempt all future new hires from state grievance procedures.
“The idea here is to try to create a merit-based system so that good employees rise to the top and to encourage that type of merit reward,” Whelan said. “I think the governor wants to make sure that good employees are rewarded for their good service, and so that’s the goal behind this.”
“Isn’t the definition of civil service a merit-based system,” asked Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha.
“It is merit-based, but because of the structures and because of pay scales, it doesn’t function that way,” Whelan said.
“As this stands here, somebody could work there five years, think they’re doing a pretty good job, and if this is stripped, management could come in and hire somebody over top of them, and they would not have any grievance or way to appeal that,” said Del. Dana Ferrell, R-Kanawha.