Two bills to increase teacher pay have sailed through a House committee, although a projected shortage of revenue this year makes it's unlikely the measures will ever reach the governor's desk.
With educators from across the state packed into a committee room on Monday, a House budget panel unanimously approved the bills. They next will be scheduled for consideration by the full House Appropriations and Budget Committee.
Although legislators from both sides of the aisle support a plan to increase teacher pay, the cost of a pay hike makes it unlikely such a proposal will become law this year.
One of the bills approved Monday to increase teacher pay to the regional average would cost the state an estimated $237 million annually.
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