House Appropriations Committee passes $30 billion budget, increased teacher pay raise

budget+pic — Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, proposed a $30 billion state operating budget on Monday. *(Photo credit: Madeline Meyer, LSU Manship School News Service)*

By: Madeline Meyer, LSU Manship School News Service

Published: May 6, 2019

BATON ROUGE–The House Appropriations Committee on Monday advanced a $30 billion state operating budget that would include $1,200 raises for public school teachers and $600 raises for support staff.

That marked an increase from the $1,000 raises for K-12 teachers and $500 for support workers that Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has proposed. The higher raises would cost an additional $20 million.

But the committee, led by Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, rejected the governor’s proposal for a $39 million increase in funding for operating the schools.

That rejection came in a 17-3 vote shooting down amendments proposed by one of the governor’s floor leaders.

The committee also increased funding for higher education and fully funded the popular TOPS scholarships for college students.

The House is expected to vote on the budget on Thursday. Edwards also could make another push for more state aid to K-12 schools when the bill reaches the Senate.