OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Lawmakers have reached a compromise that would give a 5 percent raise to Washington state troopers this year.
The Olympian reports (https://bit.ly/1W9hl4W ) that several lawmakers say the agreement announced Tuesday is the first step toward bringing State Patrol salaries in line with other Washington law enforcement agencies.
A study commissioned by the Legislature found that the low pay is one factor that has hurt the agency’s retention and recruitment efforts. A transportation budget compromise allows $5 million to go toward State Patrol raises.
That’s less than Democratic leaders proposed, but the budget includes a pledge that a second round of raises will come in 2017.
State Patrol spokesman Kyle Moore says the agency doesn’t usually take a stance on pending legislation, but, he added, “any raise is a good raise.”
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Information from: The Olympian, https://www.theolympian.com
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