Legislators question pay raises for Spanish speakers in Arkansas

“A legislative panel recommended pay increases for three Washington County health unit employees who speak Spanish on Wednesday, over the objections of two lawmakers who complained that the raises weren’t necessary.

Rep. Bob Mathis, D-Hot Springs, questioned whether the employees were also fluent in English, and Rep. LeRoy Dangeau, D-Wynne, said the labor market in northwest Arkansas does not necessitate pay incentives for employees who speak Spanish on the job.

Mathis, though, was the lone dissenting vote when the Personnel Subcommittee of the Legislative Counted vote to recommend 7.5 percent raises for three state Division of Health employees in Fayetteville.”

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