Raises approved for Connecticut State Troopers could trigger wage hikes for nearly 45,000 other state employees. Lawmakers on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee signed off on a new deal giving 885 troopers a 2.5% raise in year one, 2% in year two. The contract costs $4.4 million annually and is expected to serve as a benchmark for 34 other state employee unions. There are however, concerns about long-term budget impacts. The funding will come from a $51 million salary reserve.