A bill that clears the way for state trooper pay raises was approved, 94-0, Tuesday by the state House of Representatives and is headed to the governor.

“The unanimous vote today speaks volumes to the needs of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and I thank the members of the House of Representatives for their support,” Michael Thompson, commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, said Tuesday. “The department has simply reached the point where we must address the compensation of our troopers in order to attract, and most importantly, retain qualified law enforcement professionals to protect the public.”

Gov. Mary Fallin included $5 million for trooper raises in her executive budget but won’t comment on the bill that passed Tuesday until she and her staff have an opportunity to review it, said Michael McNutt, the governor’s press secretary.

House Appropriations Chairman Scott Martin said the exact percentage pay increase for troopers has not yet been negotiated by the governor and legislative leaders, but he expects the raises to be substantial.