Democrats and a few Republicans in the house on Wednesday approved a contract for state-paid home health aides. It would give the 26,000 workers a 50-cent hourly raise plus some benefits, and would cost $82 million over the next two years.

House Republicans said the contract should be considered along with the rest of the state budget, which remains tight.

The proposal now goes to the Republican-controlled Senate, where it faces a tougher fight.

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