Defining FTEs (Audio)

Air Date:03/03/2010

By Jenifer Jones

The Senate passed a bill that revises the definition of full-time equivalents, a type of state employee.
 
House Bill 1052 excludes from the definition students employed by postsecondary institutions. Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says the bill simply helps clarify what is considered an FTE.
 
"We're just putting these graduate students in the same category as work study and interns. That's all we're trying to do," Hunhoff says.
 
Senator Scott Heidepriem of Sioux Falls opposes the measure. He says the bill just gives the appearance of fewer FTEs.
 
"There is no compelling reason for us to change the definition of full time equivalent to exclude students who very well may be working full time for the State of South Dakota solely to make it appear that we haven't grown government like we have," Heidepriem says.
 
The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 19 to 14 and goes to the governor.
 
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