West Virginia Legislature's

Equal Pay Commission



Corey Palumbo

Senate Co-Chairman


Virginia Mahan

House Co-Chairwoman


Interim Report to the

West Virginia Legislature's Joint Committee on Government and Finance

January 12, 2010



Senate Members

Senator Palumbo, Chair

Senator Hall

House Members

Delegate Mahan, Chair

Delegate Klempa

Delegate Fleischauer

(nonvoting)

Citizen Members

Rita Albury

Tara Martinez

Jan Hoke
The West Virginia Legislature's Equal Pay Commission met each month during the 2009/2010 interim period, beginning in June 2009 and ending January 2010, to conduct business regarding compensation equity throughout the state government workforce.

The Commission, as Chaired by Senator Corey Palumbo and Delegate Virginia Mahan, received and considered testimony from various state agencies individuals as follows:

Dr. Mohamad Alkaldry
Associate Professor, Old Dominion University

Dr. Alkaldry presented information to the Commission regarding his extensive research into various personnel issues in the state government of West Virginia and provided recommendations to the Equal Pay Commission based on his findings.

Ms. Tari Crouse
West Virginia Division of Personnel
Ms. Crouse presented information regarding the Division of Personnel's annual report of pay equity within state government.

The Equal Pay Commission also received recommendations from Ms. Crouse and the Division of Personnel as to how best to divide the annual appropriation of $250,000 to decrease compensation gaps in specific state job classifications. The Commission unanimously adopted and approved the recommendations as presented to them.

The Equal Pay Commission also received extensive testimony from counsel on possible legislative initiatives. The Commission will vote and adopt the following legislation:

SB/HB: Creating an Equal Pay Coordinator

The purpose of this bill is to create an Equal Pay Coordinator within the Office of the Governor to coordinate and monitor efforts to achieve pay equity among state employees.



Respectfully submitted,





Senator Corey Palumbo
Delegate Virginia Mahan