NC Senate approves teacher pay bill, tables pitch for larger bonuses

The Republican majority, conscious of an expected $4 billion state revenue hit from pandemic-related closures, shot down a Democratic push to more than triple the bonuses and to give non-certified school staff – the bus drivers, cafeteria workers and school custodians – a $1,000 bonus, too.

Those workers may be left without raises this year. The proposal was tabled, cutting off debate.

What the body approved is this:

The $600 bonuses would have to come from a pot of federal money controlled by the governor, though, and his administration has already said he can't spend it that way.

Federal rules on coronavirus stimulus funds, the governor's office has said, forbid it.

Republican leadership in the Senate has said its own staff attorneys think he can spend it this way. This is one of several concerns North Carolina leaders have with federal stimulus dollars they're using to prop up state and local government budgets, and it's possible Congress will add more flexibility to the rules.

Monday night's debate worked through the same education spending themes and talking points that a divided General Assembly has fought over the last several budget cycles. With the coronavirus taking a bite out of the state budget, Republicans chastised their Democratic colleagues for leaving money on the table during last year's budget debate.

That budget, which Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed, would have included 4 percent pay raises for teachers, split over two years. A subsequent offer, never voted on but pitched to Senate Democrats, would have boosted that to 4.9 percent, plus a one-time $1,000 bonus, Republican leaders have said.

Republican leaders chafed at suggestions from their Democratic colleagues Monday that they don't care about schools.

"That's what we hear," Senate budget writer Harry Brown, R-Onslow, said, "that we don't care and that we don't listen, and yet, you guys vote against the budget that gives them a whole lot more than this ever would."

Sen. Michael Garrett, D-Guilford, called this year's proposal a "slap in the face."

"This bill, in my opinion, is beneath the dignity of this Senate," he said.

Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue tried to amend the measure to give teachers and instructional support staff $1,250 bonuses this year. Non-certified workers would have gotten $1,000 bonuses.

Much of the debate centered on non-certified staff, who were left out two years ago when the General Assembly voted to pay employees at state agencies a minimum of $15 an hour. Sen. Don Davis, D-Pitt, put in an amendment Monday night to at least study that.

After a fiery speech, Davis withdrew the measure rather than see it tabled or voted down. Brown said setting the salary floor would cost the state $100 million, with unknown additional costs for the local school systems that share K-12 costs with the state.

Davis voted for the $350 bonuses in the end, but he railed against the bill's lack of promises for non-certified personnel.

"If we open our hearts and minds, we know we can do better than zero," Davis said. "Zero! And, wink, wink, leave it up to the governor!"

The final vote on Senate Bill 818 was 33-16, with five Democrats voting for the bill with the Republican majority. All 16 no votes came from Democrats.

The bill moves now to the House for more debate. The governor has not said whether he would sign the bill if it comes to his desk.