The Legislature: Teacher Pay

Gov. Joe Manchin is renewing his push for a 2.5 percent raise, even in the face of teacher discontent over the 3.5 percent proposal passed by the House and pending in the Senate.

Manchin has released numbers to The Associated Press that he's sharing with lawmakers and teachers that pairs his 2.5 percent proposal with funding previously approved (in 2005) for teacher salary schedules.

Manchin has also resumed his warnings about a 3.5 percent harming the state budget, but House Finance Chairman Harry Keith White tells AP that his committee found the extra $22 million to pay for them.

When Manchin relented earlier this session on a one-time bonus to school workers and state employees (the former are included in the teacher bill), he also expressed a willingness to consider pay hikes in excess of his original proposal.