Siegelman, legislature battle over teacher raises
Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 7, 2002
The stage is set for another struggle between the governor and the
Legislature.
The issue this time? A 3 percent pay raise for teachers.
Just one day after the house passed a cautious general fund budget which did
not include a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for state workers, Gov. Don
Siegelman called again for a raise for state teachers.
During a stop in Troy, the governor admitted "we’ve got a fight on our hands."
What Siegelman wants amounts to almost $80 million, and that’s likely to be
$80 million the state lawmakers can’t – or won’t – find in the budget.
The governor’s call for teacher raises is passionate. "If you were in a
restaurant and going to leave a tip, would you leave 3 percent? Probably
not," he said. But if that’s all the state can afford, "the let’s give them a
public pat on the back."
In reality, pay raises are not simply a public pat on the back. They’re important, yes. And needed. And in most cases well-deserved.
But in a state struggling against proration and seeking real, reliable long-term education funding, do we really need another fight on our hands?
What we need is a long-term solution; real answers to the education funding
issues; and, yes, a vehicle that provides for necessary pay raises. But those
are part of a bigger picture, and we need our state leaders to stay focused on that bigger picture.
Contact Us
Letters: Send your commentary to the Troy Messenger.
News tips: Have a story or tip for our staff?
Subscribe: Get the Troy Messenger delivered to your door or mailbox.