Cindy Shewmake spends her day helping low-income Oklahomans access support systems, such as food or child care assistance. Her passion for helping others led her to her career as a social services specialist for the state Department of Human Services, but too often she said her co-workers are the ones taking advantage of government support.

“I help process food stamps and other forms of assistance, but there are many workers here who have had to use those same services,” Shewmake said. “When I started working here almost 11 years ago, the pay seemed OK but cost of living goes up and with no raises, it has become a struggle.”

As legislators prepare for the start of a new session in seven weeks, the need for teacher pay raises have already become a topic of discussion.

But for thousands of other state employees, including DHS, the Department of Corrections and dozens of other agencies, low salaries have made it difficult to attract and retain quality workers.