Pay raises for Missouri's state employees stayed in the budget as it passed the House last week, and now is headed to the state Senate.
The House version includes a 2 percent, across-the-board raise for all employees who earn less than $70,000 a year.
"That's a great deal," said state Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City. "It's not as much as they need, but, in a tough budget climate - it's been four years since there's been a state employee pay raise - and now we're getting a 2 percent raise for the folks who need it the most."
Gov. Jay Nixon's budget plan, submitted to lawmakers in January, included a 2 percent raise for all state employees - but it didn't start until Jan. 1, 2013.