By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – State senators worked at a furious pace Tuesday to pass the state budgets and two pay raise bills. One Senate budget committee approved a five-point-two billion dollar education budget and a six percent pay raise for education employees. Another Senate budget committee passed a one-point-five billion dollar General Fund budget and a four percent pay raise for state employees. The budgets and bills now go to the Senate. Democratic leaders say they want the Senate to pass the budgets and pay raises Thursday rather than on the last meeting day, which is May 16th. They say that would give senators enough time to override a veto if Governor Bob Riley follows through on his threat.