Nevada Lawmakers Face Teacher Pay Controversy as Budget Talks Continue
CARSON CITY, NV — Nevada lawmakers have indicated they will maintain funding for K-12 teacher raises in the upcoming two-year budget cycle, but charter school staff may miss out on these increases, igniting threats of a gubernatorial veto.
A joint panel of state Senate and Assembly legislators has recommended approximately $250 million to fund previously approved pay raises for teachers in state school districts. Notably, however, they did not heed Republican Governor Joe Lombardo’s call for an additional $38 million to extend these raises to charter school teachers, who were excluded in prior allocations.
Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas) noted that discussions about charter school raises are not yet concluded. “I do think that conversation should continue for the remainder of this session,” Cannizzaro stated, hinting at potential resolutions ahead.
The panel’s refusal to support charter school teacher raises faced opposition from five Republican lawmakers. State Senator Carrie Buck (R-Henderson) emphasized that “charter schools are public schools” and that their teachers “deserve raises, also.”
Governor Lombardo, expressing his frustration, stated, “I will not sign an education budget that does not include equal pay for public charter school teachers.” He further warned of a veto if the budget fails to address accountability, transparency, and parental choice in education.
Budget challenges have arisen due to lower-than-expected state revenues as tourism weakens in an uncertain economy. Projections show a $161 million shortfall for the State Education Fund, prompting lawmakers to evaluate program expansions carefully.
Legislators have proposed transferring funds from the Education Stabilization Account to cover revenue losses, affirming a slight increase in per-pupil funding. With less than 30 days left in the legislative session, education funding will be a top priority as lawmakers prepare for final votes.
For additional information, contact McKenna Ross at mross@reviewjournal.com.
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