House subcommittee advances Governor Lee’s legislation to raise teacher salaries
Governor Bill Lee’s proposed legislation to significantly raise teacher salaries in Tennessee advanced through the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday afternoon. The bill, which would implement gradual salary increases over the next several years, was moved forward without any debate or discussion.
The plan outlines a path for raising the minimum teacher salary in Tennessee to $50,000 by the 2026/2027 school year. Starting in the 2023/2024 school year, the minimum salary would increase to $42,000. In subsequent years, it would rise to $44,500 for 2024/2025, $47,000 for 2025/2026, and finally $50,000 for 2026/2027. This proposal aims to ensure that Tennessee’s teachers are paid competitively and reflects the state’s commitment to supporting educators amid a nationwide teacher shortage.
In addition to the salary hikes, the legislation includes a controversial provision known as paycheck protection, which would prohibit school districts from automatically deducting union dues, including those for the Tennessee Education Association (TEA), from teacher paychecks. Proponents of the bill argue that local school districts should not be involved in the collection of union dues, which could influence the relationship between teachers and unions.
Currently, an estimated 46,000 public school teachers in Tennessee have their TEA dues automatically deducted from their paychecks. This provision has drawn criticism from some education advocates and union representatives, who view it as an attack on teacher organizations and collective bargaining efforts.
Despite this opposition, the bill continues to gain momentum. The legislation now heads to the full House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for further consideration. If it passes the committee, it will move to the full House for a vote.
Governor Lee has framed this legislation as part of his broader agenda to improve education in Tennessee. In addition to raising teacher salaries, his administration has pushed for various reforms aimed at strengthening the state’s education system, including efforts to address learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding access to high-quality education.
The Senate has already passed the bill by a 25 to 6 vote, signaling strong support among legislators for Governor Lee’s plan to enhance teacher compensation. If the bill clears both chambers, it would mark a significant victory for the governor and a substantial investment in Tennessee’s educators.
Support and Criticism
Supporters of the bill have lauded the proposed salary increases, emphasizing the importance of attracting and retaining high-quality teachers in Tennessee. They argue that raising teacher pay is essential to ensuring that the state’s education system remains competitive and capable of delivering high standards of instruction for students.
"This is a step in the right direction for our state’s educators," said one lawmaker in favor of the bill. "Our teachers deserve to be compensated fairly for the work they do in shaping the future of our children."
On the other hand, critics of the paycheck protection provision claim that it undermines teacher unions and weakens the collective bargaining power of educators. They argue that teachers should have the right to decide whether union dues are deducted from their paychecks, without interference from lawmakers.
"Paycheck protection is a misnomer—it’s an attack on teachers’ rights and unions," said a TEA spokesperson. "The ability to automatically deduct dues is a convenience for teachers, and removing that option does nothing to improve education."
As the legislation moves forward, both supporters and opponents are expected to continue lobbying lawmakers ahead of the upcoming votes in the full committee and the House.
