Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington state voters approved an initiative in 2000 to give school teachers cost-of-living raises.

Tuesday the Washington state House voted to suspend those pay increases during the next two years. The move is part of lawmakers’ plan to close the $9 billion budget shortfall.

Democratic budget committee chair Kelli Linville says the pay-hike suspension is temporary.

Kelli Linville: “We are going to have the intent of reinstituting the initiative in two years, I believe we’re not breaking our promise. So I would ask the members, even though they may find it painful to do this, please support this bill.”

The cost-of-living increases were mandated by Initiative 732, approved by Washington voters.

The new bill would require the raises that teachers expected this year be paid back within 6 years. The measure now heads to the state Senate.