By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The saga over the state education budget took another turn Wednesday. The Senate Finance and Taxation-Education Committee approved a five billion dollar education budget. It would finance a six percent raise for education employees from kindergarten through two-year colleges. The budget also would provide extra money to universities to give employees a similar pay raise. But Governor Bob Riley is threatening to veto the budget if it passes the legislature. Spokesperson Jeff Emerson says the governor believes the state cannot afford a six percent raise.