November 27, 2012 (BOSTON) _ The state's two top lawmakers are handing out raises to staffers even as the state faces declining revenues that could force budget cuts.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray of Plymouth agreed to the 3% raises last week.
           
House employees haven't seen an increase since 2008.
           
While DeLeo gave the 3% percent raise to 460 House employees, Murray gave the raises just to her staff.

A spokesman for Murray says individual senators control their own staff and can make their own decisions about raises.

State tax collections for the past four months have fallen below expectations.