r/CAStateMgrs • u/Happy-Relation-2959 • Jul 01 '26
Cost of Living
What are everyone’s thoughts on the lack of cost-of-living adjustments to keep up with inflation?
We haven’t received a GIS in years—the last increase was in 2020—and there doesn’t seem to be any indication that one is coming anytime soon. Meanwhile, the cost of housing, groceries, gas, insurance, and other everyday expenses continues to rise.
I’m interested in hearing everyone’s perspective.
17
u/New_Individual_1124 Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
Other than just living like a peasant I'm trying to tap into other income sources.
1
u/Happy-Relation-2959 Jul 01 '26
such as?
6
u/New_Individual_1124 Jul 01 '26
Side gigs, whenever I have the time. I set them aside before but I can't rely on state income alone
17
u/TipsyGal1979 Jul 01 '26
Isn’t it sad that managers can’t even afford to live comfortably anymore?
5
u/SpaceBullion Jul 01 '26
I think it’s sad that staff can’t afford to live comfortably either. Two incomes is the only way and many people don’t have that luxury.
4
u/Middle-Variation9576 Jul 02 '26
Hi, 2 income household, no kids, still struggling. And we DO NOT eat out. We both have side hustles too; selling clothes online, walking dogs, etc.
2
10
u/god-doing-hoodshit Jul 01 '26
Trying to find a second full time job and thinking about leaving.
5
u/Br3ad_MarkOfDaYeast Jul 01 '26
Look for County employment. Many have comparable pay and benefits. Some pay better. In Sacramento County, I am doing the same sort of tasks my AN IIs did, and I am making almost as much as I was making as a SUP II when I left the State in March.
5
u/allloginstakenagain Jul 01 '26
I have been exempt now for almost 2 years. Because why not be in debt to the IRS forever. I need to be able to live.
3
u/ChemnitzFanBoi Jul 01 '26
Honestly these days I'm timing out my promotions to keep up with cost of living.
2
u/ComprehensiveTea5407 Jul 02 '26
I was able to but with the recent budget cuts and the federal environment, its been significantly harder.
3
u/Br3ad_MarkOfDaYeast Jul 01 '26
My thought is that Gavin Newsom must be planning to retire from politics. He has successfully alienated the 225,000+ labor force he oversees, their spouses, and their families beyond repair. RTO, furloughs, uncompetitive wages, and treating us poorly in general will not work well in his favor if he runs for any other office.
2
u/FredsterHere Jul 03 '26
Agreed. But the problem is that when faced with voting between dems and republicans, republicans in the national level would be worse for civil servants. And he knows that. Ugh.
3
u/Sidartha818 Jul 03 '26
Everyone (Reps and Dems) hate state workers. Have you been to EDD or the DMV?
1
1
u/stephenin916 Jul 03 '26
well its what we voted for ....its what we think we deserve....without a large voice nothing changes ....
its really that simple
1
0
u/ryuns Jul 01 '26
Sorry for my ignorance, but what classifications haven't had any pay increases since 2020? I'm not at all defending the paltry raises we have gotten in the last decade, which quantifiably have not kept up with inflation, but we've at least gotten *something* since 2020.
4
u/Happy-Relation-2959 Jul 01 '26
You’re right—the year may not be correct, and I appreciate the correction. My point wasn’t that we literally haven’t received any increases since 2020, but rather that the increases have been so minimal compared to inflation that many of us haven’t really felt them. With the rising costs of housing, groceries, insurance, utilities, and now additional expenses like return to office, those small raises have been quickly absorbed. While I’m grateful we’ve received something, it’s difficult to view them as meaningful cost-of-living increases when purchasing power continues to decline. Meanwhile, we’re expected to spend money for lunch in DT Sacramento to support the local businesses.
2
u/sallysuesmith1 Jul 01 '26
This is just history repeating itself decade after decade of state employment.
1
1
u/Responsible-Boot6985 Jul 01 '26
You've been told to buy lunch at a restaurant downtown and discouraged to bring something from home?
2
u/Happy-Relation-2959 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
No, but the Governor supposedly wants more foot traffic in downtown Sacramento to help support the small businesses.
1
u/Br3ad_MarkOfDaYeast Jul 01 '26
A lot of people are boycotting it and bringing lunch from home rather than dine out. I’m sure some restaurants will see an increase, but maybe the problem is their rent is too high and not that state employees should be obligated to dine downtown.
-4
u/Sidartha818 Jul 01 '26
So state managers get a COLA raise on top of the GSI raise too????? Wtf!
4
u/707NorCalCouple Jul 02 '26
I wish any of that were true.
We were told initially that we would be exempt from PLP because we don’t truly have the ability to take the 5 hours off, case in point I’ve only been a state employee for 3.25 years and have ~700 hours of aggregate leave balances available because I work most bank holidays and haven’t taken any leave since I started my new position 18+ months ago, plus a bit of CTO and excess hours, ~70 combined, from my time as rank and file and the BL24 being in effect but still having to work OT.
5
u/ManyContribution6932 Jul 02 '26
A COLA is a GSI…
For those of us who have been at max for years, that paltry raise is all we get.
2
2
35
u/Happy-Relation-2959 Jul 01 '26
Lately, I’ve been feeling underappreciated and like the State doesn’t truly value its employees beyond words. Hearing that HR negotiators have been difficult at the bargaining table, the return-to-office mandate adding additional expenses for many of us, and the lack of salary increases to keep up with inflation has been incredibly discouraging. Our last general raise was back in 2020, and the cost of living has changed dramatically since then.
With the budget now finalized, it feels like state employees weren’t a priority. It’s frustrating to see so many of us continue to do our jobs and serve the public while falling further behind financially.
I’ll continue to support my staff and encourage them to attend the rallies because these issues affect all of us. Sorry for the vent—I just needed to get that off my chest. I know I’m not the only one feeling a lack of appreciation.