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While thousands of state employees prepare for a pay cut many private companies hired by the state will receive raises.

The companies negotiated raises into their contracts, but State Senator Al Lawson says it’s still not fair to give them more when state workers will receive less. Lawson is asking the governor to veto a two percent pay cut for state workers making 45,000 or more.

“I’m trying to emphasis to the governor that we have dollars in reserve that we can make up the difference. Whether he’ll have the courage to do it is another story. We didn’t have the courage in the legislature to do it. We do not need to balance the budget on the backs of the people,” said Lawson.

The full state legislature will vote on the final budget proposal Friday. The chambers have to vote the bill up or down and aren’t allowed to make changes. The governor has the power to veto spending and reduction items in the budget he doesn’t agree with.