A coalition of education group is lobbying the Legislature to provide 4 percent pay raises for teachers and other public school employees next year, a proposal that puts them at odds with Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
Martinez has recommended no salary increases for educators or state workers in the coming fiscal year. The Legislative Finance Committee has proposed 1 percent raises, costing about $18 million to fund in the state's public schools.
The Democratic-controlled Legislature hasn't approved an across-the-board pay raise for public employees since 2008 because of a downturn in the state's economy and a budget squeeze.
The education coalition includes organizations representing school boards, administrators, parents and teachers. The groups outlined their legislative proposals to House and Senate Education committees on Friday.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.