The House Appropriations Committee approves a budget for next fiscal year that keeps teacher salaries at their current level. There’s been a concern that a $2,000 stipend that teachers have received the last couple of school years would go away, but House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland announced today they have moved money around to make sure teachers do not see a drop in pay.
“These amendments will give certified teachers a $2,000 stipend, and support personnel a $1,000 stipend. This will also include teachers within the charter school systems,” McFarland said.
The $2,000 stipend for teachers and $1,000 for school support workers costs the state nearly $200 million dollars. The teacher stipend money was not included in the governor’s proposed budget. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the committee amended the budget proposal so teachers will not receive a pay cut.
“I certainly want to thank the chairman, the administration, the vice-chairman, and everyone who has worked on getting these amendments done, particularly for the teachers’ stipend and the support staff,” Marcelle said.
The House Appropriations Committee found money to pay for the teachers stipend by blocking $91 million dollars in funding for new vehicle and heavy equipment purchases for state agencies. The panel also cut $26 million dollars in benefits for ineligible Medicaid recipients. Louisiana has also saved $20 million dollars because of a hiring freeze and the state has also paid down debt early, saving $25 million dollars in interest.
New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says the budget bill heading to the House floor is balanced and contains no new taxes.
“This budget is built without cutting services. We found efficiencies, as the administration and my colleagues pledged to do,” Hughes said.
Next fiscal year’s spending plan also contains 93.5 million dollars for the state’s new voucher program, called LA Gator.
The full House is expected to debate the budget bill on Thursday.
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