Georgia governor unveils second part of law enforcement pay raise

Gov. Nathan Deal has rolled out the second phase of his plan to give state law enforcement officers pay increases.

The governor earlier this month announced a $79 million plan to give 20 percent pay raises to more than 3,300 state law enforcement officers. But several hundred state employees who wear guns, badges and vests were left out of the initial plan, including agents from the Department of Revenue and Department of Driver Services.

Deal spokeswoman Jen Talaber Ryan said the second part of the plan would increase the pay for about 300 additional officers in seven more state agencies by an average of 10 percent. The governor’s office estimates the proposal would cost about $2 million. The budget boost would require legislative approval, and leaders from both chambers have already endorsed the overall idea.