The House passed the Senate version of a budget bill today that includes raises for public employees. But the measure leaves out teacher merit pay, one of Governor Susana Martinez's initiatives, and she has threatened to veto the plan.
The merit pay for teachers has been a point of contention for Republicans in the House, who championed the Governor's proposal. Butthey were unable to convince enough Democrats to agree with them and vote against the Senate version of the bill.
This budget would also increase spending by about 4 percent, or $239 million over last year's budget. It would provide state workers and educators with a one percent pay raise, their first in five years, and $2.5 billion dollars ineducation funding.