With strike talk looming, House rejects larger pay raises for teachers

A bill to provide modest pay raises to teachers, school service personnel and other state employees (Senate Bill 267) advanced to passage stage in the House of Delegates on Monday, after the House rejected costlier options.

That included an amendment for a three-year, 3 percent annual pay raise for teachers and service personnel proposed by House Democrats. Opponents called the amendment fiscally irresponsible because it would have added $108 million to base budget costs over the three years.

“It’s about living within our means,” said House Finance Chairman Eric Nelson, R-Kanawha, urging members to stick with leadership’s four-year, 2 percent, 1 percent, 1 percent, 1 percent pay raise package for teachers. “What we have before us is guaranteed, and it’s not saying we can’t do higher raises in the future.”