BOISE AP-- A legislative budget panel voted unanimously to accept a report recommending a 2 percent pay hike for state workers in fiscal year 2015.
The raise would affect 17,000 Idaho workers, to the tune of about $11 million.
It's not a done deal yet: Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee members will vote again Feb. 12, this time on whether to allocate the money for raises.
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's budget plan did not include funds to increase worker wages.
Sen. John Tippets, a member of the employee compensation committee that drafted the proposal, said Friday the state needs to offer competitive pay in order to attract and keep high-quality workers.
Half of the proposed pay increase amount would be permanent, while the other half is a one-time bonus for the 2015 fiscal year.

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