Idaho House Panel Approves Teacher Pay Bill

BOISE (KTVB) -- A newly revised proposal designated to increase beginning teacher pay in Idaho has received a tentative stamp of approval from a House panel.

The House Education Committee agreed to introduce the $211 million proposal Wednesday. A similar proposal died last week after lawmakers and teachers raised objections over the bill's structure.

Under the bill, rookie teacher pay would bump up from $31,750 a year to $32,700 a year. Teacher pay would slowly increase over five years to $37,000 a year.

The key piece of legislation is the largest hurdle Idaho lawmakers face from being able to adjourn this legislative session. Legislative budget writers have delayed setting the public schools budget, the state's largest fund, until some sort of teacher pay bill passes at least through one chamber.