AUSTIN, Texas -- The Senate Finance Committee has approved a bill to provide pay and benefit increases for Texas teachers.
If approved by legislators, SB 19 will give educators who have taught from six to 10 years a $600 bonus.
For teachers who have served 11 or more years, the bonus is $1,000.
SB 19 also requires school districts to increase salaries beginning in 2019. But educators and advocates who testified Saturday opposed that part of the bill since there's no promise from the state to help pay for it.
The measure would also bolster the Teacher Retirement System by $212 million.
The money is meant to help retirees with things like premiums, deductibles, and prescription drugs.
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