(AP) -- The Senate Finance Committee has unanimously advanced a budget that provides higher raises to state workers, pays for long-deferred maintenance at all public colleges and spends more money on special needs students.
The committee voted unanimously late Wednesday to send the 2012-13 state spending plan to the Senate floor.
It provides 3 percent raises to most state employees, 5 percent raises to state law enforcement officers, and 2 percent raises to teachers statewide. The plan also covers the rise in employees' health insurance premiums.
The House plan passed in March gave 2 percent raises to most, while providing a waiver for school districts that didn't get enough to provide the raises.
The plan includes $36 million for special needs students to prevent further federal penalties.
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