Stein Proposes $1.4 Billion Critical-Needs Plan as GOP Leaders Reject It

Overview

• Gov. Josh Stein unveiled a $1.4 billion stopgap to cover immediate needs, led by Medicaid funding and targeted pay increases for state workers.
• The proposal includes $319 million to rebase Medicaid, which Stein warns is running low for a program covering about one in three residents.
• Pay proposals feature 10% raises for corrections officers, state troopers and other law enforcement, 10% for state nurses, a 13% boost to starting teacher pay, and an average 6% raise for teachers, with retroactive pay and a retiree COLA requested.
• House leaders criticized the plan for lacking cost controls and flagged spending on GLP-1 drugs, and Senate Republicans warned it would create a recurring deficit and pressure taxes.
• House-passed raises already on the table include an average 8.7% for teachers, 13% for law enforcement, and 2.5% for other state employees, highlighting unresolved differences as the budget stalemate continues.