Teacher Pay Raise Talks Stalled

Monday, May 7th 2007, 7:56 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Differences between Governor Brad Henry and legislative leaders over the size of a state teacher pay raise are the chief barrier to agreement on a state budget. State officials say a tax-cut measure that lawmakers sent to Henry's desk Monday could become a new negotiating point in Henry's goal of raising teacher salaries.

The governor has not said whether he will sign the bill.

Negotiations toward a budget for the 2008 fiscal year, which begins July 1st, have been largely stalled since March, when Henry vetoed a $6.9 billion budget plan that was negotiated by the House and Senate without the governor's input.

The plan included a $600 annual pay raise for state teachers, about half of the $1,100 raise Governor Henry proposed in his executive budget.

A spokesman for Henry says the governor is pushing for a higher salary boost to reach the state's goal of bringing teacher pay up to the regional average by next year.