HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kevin Vickers
March 29, 2007 (512) 463-0508
HOUSE DEMOCRATS PASS HISTORIC TEACHER PAY RAISE, KILL SCHOOL VOUCHERS
~ BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC PRIORITIES ~

AUSTIN—Texas House Democrats passed an historic increase in teacher pay and killed efforts
to fund private school vouchers today, flying in the face of opposition from Republican Speaker
of the House Tom Craddick. Led by Reps. Rick Noriega (D-Houston) and Joe Heflin (DCrosbyton),
Democrats in the House led a bipartisan coalition to convert a controversial and
divisive teacher incentive pay program—which is opposed by teachers across the state—into an
across-the-board pay raise for every teacher in Texas and drove a nail into the coffin of private
school vouchers.
During today's debate on the $165 billion Texas budget, Rep. Noriega authored a measure to
increase teacher pay by approximately $900 annually for every Texas teacher, librarian,
counselor, and nurse.
"Hardworking Texas teachers deserve to be paid what they are worth. Texas teachers are paid
thousands of dollars below the national average. The teacher pay raise we passed today will help
to get Texas teacher pay closer to the national average," commented House Democratic Leader
Jim Dunnam.
Following the vote increasing teacher pay, Rep. Heflin led a bipartisan coalition to kill efforts to
rob public schools to pay for private school vouchers.
"Texans have spoken and we've been on their side—we hear them loud and clear," said Rep.
Dunnam. "Texans support our public schools and they simply do not believe it is right to rob our
public schools to pay for more failed social experiments. Today, a bipartisan majority of the
House rejected the radicalism of Rick Perry, Tom Craddick, and James Leininger."
"By passing an across-the-board pay raise for Texas teachers and killing vouchers, House
Democrats are delivering on the promises we have made the people of Texas. We will continue
to work hard for hard-working families," Rep. Dunnam concluded.