TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--"They've waited patiently for 6 years," said Sue Dick.
Sue Dick with the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce is among those applauding Florida lawmakers, who in just a few days could be voting to give state employees their first pay raise in nearly 6 years.
Lawmakers like Representative Perry Thurston said a raise is overdue.
"Our teachers our state workers , they deserve it, and we're going to fight for them every step of the way to make sure that it is done and that it actually comes to fruition," said Rep.Thurston, (D) District 94.
House lawmakers is calling for a $1400 across the board raise, while senators prefer a 3-percent salary hike.
Either way-Sue Dick said any pay raise is not only good for state employees, but great for the local economy.
She said just one percent in a pay increase will add another $8 million dollars to the local economy.
Sue Dick "for individuals who are working very hard to be able to have extra money to spend on things they might not have had before, is a positive"
It's welcome news for Arthur Silver, general manager of the Crepe Vine restaurant in Tallahassee.
"Lunch is 60-percent of our business so a large percentage of our business come from lunch time sales," said Dick.
Silver said they already rely heavily on their lunch time state worker crowd and by lawmakers giving them a pay raise, it gives local businesses a better shot at keeping sales going.
"Any extra income that they get, will be directly felt by the restaurant and by other small businesses in town," said Silver.
