BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho House has approved a long-awaited plan to give Idaho teachers a raise.

The plan would raise salaries for rookie teachers by almost $1,000 to $32,700 in July. Over the next five years, first-year pay would increase to $37,000 per year. Lawmakers voted 62-8 to pass the plan with no discussion in the chamber on Monday.

The proposal is likely to push the legislative session beyond its expected end date Friday to allow budget-writing lawmakers time to allocate roughly $123 million for the plan.

Two previous versions failed in the House Education Committee. Republican Rep. Reed DeMordaunt from Eagle, who chairs the panel, told lawmakers that low salaries are to blame for the state's shortage of teachers. The bill now goes to the Senate side for consideration.

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