HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Nearly two dozen state employees and union officials testified in favor of a House bill that would fund a 50-cent-per-hour pay raise for state employees in each of the next two years.

Democratic Rep. Kathy Swanson of Anaconda introduced House Bill 13 in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday. It calls for appropriating $42.5 million to pay for the raises and an increase in the state's contribution toward employees' insurance premiums. The increases were agreed to last fall in negotiations between Gov. Steve Bullock's administration and three state employee unions.

Swanson said some state employees are eligible for food stamps and many work second jobs to make ends meet. Supporters say the raises are needed to attract and keep state employees.

Lee Newspapers of Montana reports no one testified against the bill. The committee did not take immediate action.

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