Reminder: When it comes to raises, don't accept the state crying poverty because of inflation, because inflation boosts tax revenues
We all know the state cries poverty at every contract negotiation. Doesn't matter who the governor is, the state is always "broke" come contract time and comes to the bargaining table with half a loaf raise offers.
This time the "poverty" will be due in part to inflation. Hogwash.
Inflation will boost tax revenues. Sales taxes - which get split between the state and counties - are the most obvious thing to increase because as things get more expensive, sales tax revenues rise.
Same deal on corporate taxes - as prices increase and corporate profit margins rise (because we all know that many large corporations today use inflation as an excuse to price gouge because 'murica!), corporate tax collections will increase.
Even income tax collections will increase, because top earners statistically tend to do better than inflation even while the rest of us either stagnate or see outright inflationary losses in income.
So just remember all this when the time comes to decide on what a fair raise will be in the next contract. The state can afford raises that meet or exceed inflation because tax revenues will support it, even if the state cries it's broke.