COVID-19 “has thrown cold water” on teacher pay raises

Due to the economic effects of COVID-19, it looks as if pay raises for Mississippi teachers is no longer possible, even after the Senate passed a bill to do just that in January.

“I commend them for doing that, but as you know, things have changed a lot since January,” House Speaker Pro Tempore Jason White said on Friday’s episode of The Gallo Show.

White did emphasize that he and the rest of the House are in favor of providing teachers with a raise—just not right now.

“We want a pay raise for teachers just as much as the Senate does, but certainly COVID-19 has thrown cold water on that,” White explained. “I wouldn’t say it’s 100 percent off the table, but life support is probably an accurate statement.”

According to White, who is in his first year as Speaker Pro Tempore, teacher pay raises would cost the state as much as $60 million annually.

To watch the full interview with White, click the video below.