Virginia Legislators Announce Plans to Stem Trooper Exodus with Pay Raise

Virginia House and Senate budget leaders on Wednesday announced plans to give 3 percent raises to state employees and an even bigger boost to state troopers, who have been leaving the agency in droves.Starting pay for troopers would rise from $36,200 a year to $43,000 under the agreement struck between the Republicans who control the money committees for both chambers. In addition to the 3 percent raise, existing troopers would see their annual salaries jump by more than $6,700 to keep pace with