Georgia House Seeks $1,000 Teacher Raise, Not Kemp’s $2,000

Budget writers in the Georgia House want to give teachers a $1,000 pay raise instead of the $2,000 Gov. Brian Kemp is seeking, using money freed up to boost pay for other state employees and protect programs from budget cuts.

The House Appropriations Committee on Monday approved House Bill 793, its version of the state’s 2021 budget, which would spend $28.1 billion in state money and $54.2 billion once federal and other money is added. The measure is expected to be debated in the full House later this week and the Senate would then get its say.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Terry England, an Auburn Republican, said he believes teachers deserve the $2,000 Kemp proposed, but said other state agencies have needs. So the House would spend $140 million on raises for K-12 and preschool teachers.