A state general fund budget has passed committee, and it looks like state employees won’t be getting a raise after all.
The House Ways and Means General Fund Committee approved a lean general fund budget yesterday. It gives level funding to most state agencies and removes a proposed pay raise for state employees. Lawmakers say the state can’t afford it.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley had proposed a 4 percent pay raise for state workers.
Committee Chairman Steve Clouse says the budget steers available money to employee health insurance. Clouse says lawmakers are trying to save money in anticipation of next year, when Alabama will no longer have $105 million in oil spill settlement funds padding the budget.
The committee approval likely means the budget will be debated on the House floor next week.