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Where does the teacher pay proposal stand?

Posted at 6:38 PM, Apr 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-27 22:29:47-04

The chants reached all the way to the Arizona Governor Doud Ducey's 9th-floor office, but it's unclear if they had any effect on the negotiations over teacher raises happening inside. 

After introducing his proposal two weeks ago to boost teacher pay 20 percent by 2020, lawmakers have yet to see a version they can vote on. 

Senator Steve Smith is a member of the Education and Power Appropriations Committee.

"This pay raise will be in the budget that we are going to pass," said Smith.

While he is not sold on it, Democrat David Bradley conceded the Ducey plan has the support to get through the Senate. 

"He's banking on an improved economy. We've been here before. I was here 13 years ago when we were saying the same things and lo and behold 2008 happened," said Bradley.

Now the governor must find support in the house for his plan.

Some lawmakers say they're ready to work through the weekend on the budget whenever they get it. 

However, some Republicans aren't expecting a budget bill to drop until next week.

The legislature won't be back until Monday.