W.Va. lawmakers try to give teachers smaller raise, accidentally pass bill giving them full raise

[Julian Englis]

Last edited Sun Mar 4, 2018, 07:28 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: The Hill

West Virginia teachers who have been protesting for better pay say they will continue to strike after the state Senate voted to decrease a proposed wage hike from a five percent raise to a four percent raise.

The state Senate scrambled after voting on the bill, however, when they realized they voted on the wrong bill. According to local reporters on the scene, the state Senate believed they were voting to approve a four percent raise, but accidentally voted on a bill passed in the state House that approved a five percent raise.

According to local reporters, Republicans in the state Senate were attempting to repeal the accidentally passed bill and instead vote to approve a four percent wage hike. Democrats reportedly opposed repealing the bill and cheered the accidental vote to approve a five percent raise.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

The Senate vote would have marked a decrease after both the state House and Republican Governor Jim Justice had approved a five perecnt raise.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/news/376608-west-virginia-teachers-to-continue-strike-after-state-senate-passes-lower-raise

[Staph]

1. A joint statement from the WVEA, AFT West Virginia and the WVSSPA (about 8:30 pm)

“We are angry and disappointed with the actions of Senator Carmichael and his Republican leadership team. Our agreement was for a 5% salary increase for education employees – period!

We too would love to see state employees receive the same percentage increase as our school employees, and we are fully supportive of them also receiving a 5% increase.

However, you do not pay for different groups by simply taking away from one and passing it to another. The purpose of this is clear – to divide us and to pit us against each other.

In good faith, we reached an agreement and have honored that agreement. We appreciated the hard work of the Governor, Speaker Armstead and the members of the House of Delegates. We also thank all the Senate Democrats and Republican Senator Kenny Mann for their commitment to honor our teachers and service professionals. We thank them for honoring the agreement and trying to get our public schools reopened.

Unfortunately, Senator Carmichael and the Senate leadership chose not to honor the agreement. They have had the bill for three days, and they are the ones responsible for our students not being in school.

‘Thank you’ to the parents, students, superintendents, community leaders and supportive legislators.

Senator Carmichael and the Senate leadership team leave us no choice – all public schools in West Virginia will be closed again on Monday and remain closed until the Senate honors the agreement that was made.

[pangaia]

2. republicans are the definition of a living hell

[appalachiablue]

3. Stay Strong Mountaineers!

Montani Semper Liberi

[Staph]

5. I've started a new meme.

You're welcome to use it - it's appropriate everywhere. . .


Remember in November!

[leanforward]

4. Thank you

I support the teachers all the way. Everybody that wants to give up revenue (taxes) has their head in their ***.

Taxes need to be raised FOR everyone, progressively.

Our current leaders think you can go back. You can never go back to the old ways.

[paleotn]

6. Further proof....

that those out on the left tail naturally migrate to the Rethuglican party.

[bluestarone]

7. FULLY support the teachers here!!!!!!!!!

God bless their fight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[malthaussen]

8. One percent? How appropriate.

The WVa legislator is another demonstration of "incompetent." There seems to be a lot of that going around.

-- Mal

[Aristus]

9. "Crimein-EE, Zebulon! Whut wuz we thinkin' givin' them teechers more money?

'At jes' ain't right! We gots ta take it away agin!"