LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Union officials say Nebraska could avoid many of the recent problems in state agencies by rewarding employees with experience and institutional knowledge.

Workers’ advocates urged a legislative committee Monday to advance a bill that would offer longevity raises.

The measure by Sen. Matt Hansen of Lincoln would begin with a pay increase of 6.25 cents per hour, or about $130 a year for salaried employees, after five years. The raise would increase every five years by the same amount, to a maximum of 50 cents per hour at 40 years.

Hansen says more than a dozen states set longevity pay in law.

Opponents say the bill could be unconstitutional because state wages are set through collective bargaining with the executive branch and not state law.