ATL Standard

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, in his fourth State of the State address, promised to increasing teacher pay and funding for public education and public safety, Fox 5 reported.

“My Fiscal 2023 budget proposal will include a final installment of $2,000 to finish out the largest teacher pay raise in state history – a total  of $5,000 since 2019," said Kemp, a Republican, the station reported.

Under the governor's budget proposal, school support staff and administrators would receive a one-time $2,000 supplement, the story said. Bus drivers, nurses and part-time school employees would receive $1,000.

"Hardworking Georgians in our schools – the school staff, administrators, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and teachers – all do a terrific job keeping our kids safe and investing in their futures," Kemp said. "To support their heroic efforts day in and day out, I believe we as state leaders must continue to do everything we can to ensure they have the resources necessary to fulfill their mission and prepare the next generation of leaders for successful lives and careers."

Kemp also wants $5,000 raises for other state employees including law enforcement officers, Fox 5 said. He wants $425 million to fully fund the state's Quality Basic Education, or QBE formula, the station reported.

Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler said Kemp's proposals aren't enough.

"I am glad that the governor is finally fulfilling his promise to raise teachers' pay, but there is so much more needed in education, especially right now," Butler said, according to Fox 5. "Online school has exacerbated the learning gap between students of means and students without means. Remember that the 'B' in QBE stands for basic. While doing the basic minimum is important, we can go beyond that and shoot for excellence."