12-31-13 state employee bonuses

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin state employees have been awarded nearly $14 million in bonuses and merit raises this year, more than twice what they got last year. Nearly 6,300 employees, or about one in six state workers, got a bonus. Last year, about 1,800 state employees got bonuses totaling about $6 million.  The figures from the Office of State Employee Relations are current through Oct. 20.  The Department of Corrections gave out the most bonuses, with 1,313 employees each getting $750. The Department of Health Services handed out the most money — a total of $2.2 million as 905 workers each received $2,500.  DHS spokeswoman Stephanie Smiley says bonuses acknowledge the value of top workers.  Gov. Scott Walker says state employees who are doing more with less deserve to be rewarded.