Pay Raise Due For Washington State Patrol, Lawmakers Say

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Two proposals by lawmakers in Washington would give a pay raise to state patrol officers.

The bills, scheduled for hearings Monday in the Senate Transportation Committee, seek to make patrol salaries competitive with other local law enforcement agencies.

A report expected to be presented at the hearing says troopers are unhappy and underpaid, and many don't feel the department values their opinions.

A 7.5 percent across-the-board raise over three years for the patrol is the main tenet of one proposed solution, Senate Bill 6547, sponsored by Republican Sen. Randi Becker of Eatonville. The other bill, Senate Bill 6331, would adjust trooper salaries to always be higher than half of the top-five salaries of local law enforcement agencies in Washington. Its sponsored by Republican Sen. Don Benton of Vancouver.