Alabama Senate Approves State Employee Raise

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – State employees would receive their first cost-of-living raise in a decade, under a bill approved by the Alabama Senate.

Senators on Tuesday voted 28-1 to approve a three percent pay raise for state employees. The bill now goes to the Alabama House of Representatives for debate.

State employees have not had a cost-of-living increase since 2008. However, they have had merit raises.

Republican Sen. Clyde Chambliss of Prattville said the raise had been a long time in coming, but noted the state had been through some difficult financial times.

Lawmakers this session are also expected to approve a two-and-a-half percent cost-of-living raise for teachers and public education employees.

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