McAuliffe proposes pay raise for Virginia state workers

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe says his forthcoming budget proposal will include a 2 percent pay raise for state workers, college faculty, school teachers and other public employees.

McAuliffe made the announcement Thursday during a regular appearance on WRVA's "Ask the Governor" radio show.

The governor is set to unveil his two-year budget plan on Dec. 17. It will be the starting point of negotiations with the GOP-controlled General Assembly.

Higher-than-predicted tax revenues have allowed McAuliffe to include politically beneficial items in his budget proposal, like corporate tax cuts and pay raises for state employees.

But the current 2 percent raise proposal isn't making everyone happy. The Virginia Education Association said it is disappointed McAuliffe isn't proposing a bigger increase, which it says is needed to attract the best teachers.