Gov. Hobbs proposes to increase teacher pay

Governor Hobbs is proposing using more money from the State Land Trust coffers to raise teacher pay, among other projects. Republican lawmakers are okay with it being used for teacher pay, but not anything else.

The money will be taken from the State Land Trust, which was approved by voters. But Democrats do not like the idea of taking money from it, saying it is like taking money from your 401k before retirement. Chris Kotterman, Director of Governmental Relations at Arizona School Boards Association, joined us to explain.

The Governor’s plan includes a broader array of school staff not only certificated teachers and licensed educators but also school safety capital improvements which have not been funded historically by the legislature.

The voters passed last year a constitutional amendment that requires a 60% passage rate for any new tax.

“In that environment, now we have to look at different ways to finance schools,” said Director Kotterman. “The Land Trust is the way to do it without triggering that 60% .”