Georgia House of Representatives 
 
Public Information Office 
 
Room 505 LOB, 18 Capitol Square 30334 
 
404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800 
 
12-1910-5064 
 
December 17, 2003 
 
For Immediate Release 
 
Teacher and State Employee Pay Raises High Priority for House 
 
Governor's Support Urged 
 
Atlanta  Members of the House of Representatives Budget Sub-Committee met today to discuss FY 05 spending priorities for the upcoming session of the General Assembly which will convene January 12, 2004. One of the items discussed, along with ending furloughs, was teacher and employee pay raises, an issue that has been off the budget table for two years because of economic and revenue restrictions. Lawmakers in the Subcommittee agreed that with the economy on the upswing, teacher and employee wage increases must be an important part of the 2005 budget package. 
House Majority Leader Jimmy Skipper, D-Americus stated after the meeting. "We believe it is imperative that all state employees receive a pay increase next year. We realize the Governor has a tough job but it is our hope that he will see the need for these increases and include them in his budget package to the House of Representatives." Skipper added, "We need to take care of employees who have dedicated their careers to serving the public. These individuals tirelessly work to make Georgia a better place to live. With improvement in the economy, the least we can do is provide them with a much needed pay raise." 
According to House Appropriations Chairman Tom Buck, "There are in excess of 29,000 teachers who have served the state for over 15 years that no longer have step increases available to them because of longevity in the job." Buck would like to see these individuals receive at least a one step increase in their existing salary package. Buck added, "These teachers deserve a longevity step increase in pay. A quality education begins with a good teacher and they must be rewarded for their hard work and long time service. This will also provide an incentive for new teachers to remain in the profession." 
Officials in the Legislative Budget Office estimate that a 1% pay raise for all employees including teachers would cost approximately $100 million. Chairman Buck was unsure at this time the level of funding that the House would eventually recommend, however, strongly urged the Governor to include pay raises in his budget package. "We simply cannot go another year without a pay raise for teachers and state employees. The Governor needs to realize this and help us by including it in his budget." 
Overall revenue collections for the state were up 3.3 percent, or $34 million, over November 2002. For the first five months of the fiscal year, which runs through June 30, 2004, revenue is up 4.4 percent, or $219 million. November's numbers marked the first time in more than two years the state has seen revenue improvement for four consecutive months. 
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For further information please contact Rep. Jimmy Skipper at 404-656-5024 or Rep. Tom Buck at 404-656-5052.