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W.Va. Budget Heading for Showdown Over Teacher Raises
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – The West Virginia Senate has passed a state budget that doesn’t include funding for teacher raises, almost certainly setting up a potential showdown with the House of Delegates.
Senators voted 20-14 on the proposal Wednesday, one day after they gutted a House version of the budget that would have raised teacher salaries by about 5 percent.
The bill now heads back to the House. Lawmakers there are expected to call for a conference committee where senators and delegates will be selected to come up with a final version of the budget.
Republican Gov. Jim Justice says he wants teachers to get a pay increase and has been lobbying lawmakers.
Teachers’ union leaders say they are hopeful educators and school service personnel will end up getting raises.