Proposed plan by Republican lawmaker would add $10K to Arizona teacher salaries

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — Trainer pay has been a controversial subject in Arizona, and now a brand new plan would give all Arizona lecturers an instantaneous $10,000 elevate if handed via the state legislature. However some critics stated that is possible all speak and no motion. Why? As a result of they stated, historical past repeats itself.

Arizona’s had an issue retaining certified lecturers due to low salaries, and this proposal would definitely assist. Nonetheless, critics query whether or not it should truly get handed, or is that this a political play?

Pleasure for the beginning of one other college 12 months is tormented by an schooling disaster that continues in Arizona. “This instructor exodus is impacting each single classroom, each single district throughout the state,” stated Marisol Garcia, president of the Arizona Training Affiliation.

Garcia stated any wage improve may assist, however $10,000 extra for lecturers could be main. “$10,000 is life-altering. I imply, it’s life-altering,” Garcia stated. “To be trustworthy with you, proper now, I’ve lecturers residing in tents as a result of they’ll’t afford housing.”

She’s speaking in regards to the proposed plan introduced Monday referred to as “Pay Lecturers First,” launched by Republican Matt Gress, who’s operating for a home seat. The plan would give each Arizona instructor an instantaneous and everlasting $10,000 wage improve, with 100% of the cash going on to lecturers and no tax improve.

“What we’ve seen prior to now is that not each greenback we’ve offered will get to the classroom,” Gress stated. “What makes this program totally different is that we’re going to legally require the districts and charters to make use of the {dollars} we offer to them to extend instructor pay.”

The plan is backed by a number of Republicans, which Garcia stated is ironic. “Let’s be clear, a whole lot of the folks he claims are behind this or assist it are the identical those who have been within the legislature final 12 months that would have pushed the plan earlier than final 12 months or the 12 months earlier than,” stated Garcia.

Arizonans voted in favor of Prop 208 in 2020, which might have raised instructor wage then with a 3.5 p.c tax improve to high-income earners. The legislature fought towards that and received.

That’s why Garcia stated this may be nice, however she received’t consider it until she sees it. “Hey, you’ve bought a plan? We’re going to listen to it, however we wish to see it truly put into play,” Garcia stated.

As a result of this may not elevate taxes, the place would the cash come from? Gress stated it might come from the final fund and a income surplus from so many individuals transferring to Arizona and contributing to the state financial system.

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