DOVER, Del. (AP) - Members of the General Assembly's budget writing committee have wrapped up their work on an operating budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.
With only a few minor details remaining, members of the Joint Finance Committee closed the books Monday on a $3.58 billion budget for fiscal 2013, $78 million above this year's budget and slightly higher than Gov. Jack Markell's proposed 2013 budget.
The major difference between Markell's January proposal and the spending plan approved by the finance committee is the committee's addition of a 1 percent pay raise for state employees, which will cost taxpayers about $21 million next year.
Lawmakers and the administration also agreed to add $10 million to the budget for retiree health care and other post-employment benefits after revenue projections increased last month.
