SALC Issues Statement Backing Governor’s Teacher Raise Proposal

Calls the move ‘A step in the right direction we can all get behind’

TUCSON, AZ (April 17, 2018) — Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC), comprised of 140 CEOs and leaders in the region, supports Gov. Doug Ducey’s proposal to provide a much-deserved 20-percent pay increase for teachers in Arizona by 2020.

The plan, which is now being negotiated in the legislature, would represent an initial significant step toward adequately compensating Arizona’s valued educators. SALC members believe that attracting, retaining and rewarding qualified teachers is critical to ensuring continued economic growth and prosperity in our state.

The salary boost is proposed to be funded in three ways – through increased revenues from Arizona’s flourishing economy; by a rollback of several of the Governor’s executive initiatives and proposed tax cuts; and as a result of savings and efficiencies from state programs. As the legislature works with the Governor to make this proposal a reality, we urge using the proposed available revenue sources and not to divert funding from current commitments to the P-20 education pipeline.

Our state’s future workforce depends on high-quality educators and a robust, fully-funded education system. SALC strongly encourages our state legislators to partner with the Governor on this plan which is a step toward full funding for Arizona’s teachers.

# # #

About Southern Arizona Leadership Council

The Southern Arizona Leadership Council was founded in 1997 by senior business and community leaders in the Tucson region. Its goal is to use the collective leadership of its members to engage strategic issues facing the community. The mission of SALC is to improve greater Tucson and Arizona by bringing together resources and leadership to create action to enhance the economic climate and quality of life in our communities to attract, retain, and grow high-quality, high-wage jobs. For more information visit salc.org.