The Alabama House has adopted a $5.7 billion budget that gives teachers and other education employees their first pay raise since 2008.
The spending plan gives public school employees a 2 percent raise. That's less than the 5 percent increase supported by Democratic lawmakers.
The budget was adopted late Wednesday after more than six hours of debate on the spending plan and a separate pay raise bill.
House members voted 62-37 against a proposed amendment by Democratic Rep. Richard Lindsey of Centre to increase the raise to 5 percent.
Republican Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery says the state couldn't afford a 5 percent raise, partly because of the need to pay back a rainy day saving account. The budget now goes to the Senate.
