DOVER, Del. (AP) — The legislature’s budget-writing committee has voted to give state employees in Delaware a pay raise.

Members of the Joint Finance Committee voted unanimously to give state employees a 2 percent pay raise starting Jan. 1.

The committee also voted to increase the pension payments for current state government retirees by 1 percent, also effective in January.

If approved by the General Assembly, the increases would cost taxpayers about $19 million in the first year.

Earlier this month, Gov. Jack Markell signed a bill requiring Delaware state government employees to contribute more for their pension and health care benefits.

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