Gov. Bentley Signs Education Budget, Teacher Pay Raise

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has signed into law the state’s education budget and a 4 percent pay raise for teachers that lawmakers approved this session.

Bentley spokeswoman Jennifer Ardis announced Tuesday that the governor had signed the bills as expected.

Teachers and school employees making less than $75,000 will get a 4 percent raise. Education employees making more than $75,000 will get a 2 percent raise.

The spending bills will give teachers their first actual pay increase since 2008. A 2013 pay increase was offset by increases in benefit costs.

Lawmakers approved the $6.3 billion education trust fund budget by wide margins. The fund has rebounded to its highest level since the 2008 recession.

The new budget goes into effect Oct. 1.

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