The Latest: Veteran NC teachers benefit in House pay plan

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on the North Carolina House unveiling its state government budget proposal (all times local):

4:45 p.m.

House Republicans say the teacher pay proposals in their state government budget plan focus on retaining veteran educators and recruiting newcomers to work in rural and low-wealth counties.

The chamber's budget-writers on Tuesday highlighted public education and other items in the two-year spending bill. Rep. Donny Lambeth of Winston-Salem says average teacher pay will rise 4.8 percent next year in the House plan

There would be an emphasis on teachers with at least 26 years of experience. Someone with 30 years of experience currently has a base salary of $52,000. That would grow to $60,500 in the proposal. The bill also will restore fully a 10 percent pay bump for teachers with master's degrees. The master's pay got phased out beginning earlier this decade. Budget-writers also say some teachers could get signing bonuses of up to $4,000.

9:40 a.m.

North Carolina House Republicans are rolling out their proposed state government budget for the next two years.

GOP leaders announced Tuesday they want to spend almost $24 billion for the fiscal year starting July 1, which they say is about 3 percent higher than current-year spending. Not included in the number is hundreds of millions of dollars for state building repairs and construction.

There will be state employee and teacher pay increases, with details released later Tuesday. There would be $30 million for local school districts to spend on school safety and student mental health grants.

Republicans are proposing a small personal income tax cut and some business tax reductions. A proposal to increase fees on plug-in hybrid and electric cars got pulled and won't be in the final plan.

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