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Virginia state employees to receive bonus in 2017

Posted at 1:05 PM, Dec 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-13 13:05:41-05

RICHMOND, Va. – State workers in Virginia are getting a little holiday cheer, but it won’t come until next year.

Governor McAuliffe announced Tuesday that he wants to give teachers and state-supported local employees a 1.5 percent bonus effective December 1,2017.

The one-time bonus is intended to help make up for pay raises that were canceled because of a budget shortfall.

“Virginia is home to the finest state workforce anywhere in the nation, and we have an obligation to continue to ensure they are compensated for their great work,” said Governor McAuliffe. “While current conditions do not allow for a permanent salary increase in the upcoming budget, this one-time bonus should send a clear message to our employees that we value their hard work and recognize the need to continue to increase their compensation.”

At the same time, a panel headed by the Speaker of the House wants to restore three percent raises for state workers.

But McAuliffe cautioned the money isn’t there for that yet.

Virginia’s revenue picture has been improving in recent months. McAuliffe will meet with the General Assembly financial committees to present his budget Friday and he says, “There’s going to be a lot of relief for a lot of folks.”