Proposed pay raises and benefits for state workers and teachers would cost the state more than $600 million during the next two years.

It represents the single biggest proposed increase in the state budget, outside of the rising costs for providing health care to low-income residents.

The Legislature is considering pay raises for several groups of workers:

• Former Gov. Gary Locke negotiated an agreement with the state workers union for raises and health benefits worth more than $180 million.

The Legislature can vote up or down on the contract. If rejected, the contract would go back for renegotiations. It calls for a 3.2 percent raise in the first year and a 1.6 percent increase the second year.

• Public schools teachers are up for pay raises, called for by Initiative 732, that would cost more than $130 million and health benefits worth almost $170 million.

• The Legislature also is considering a pay raise and benefits package for nonunion state workers that would cost around $150 million.

Republican lawmakers have said pay raises should be on the table when the Legislature considers making cuts to balance the budget. However, Gov. Christine Gregoire and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have pledged support for salary increases and benefits for teachers and unionized state workers.