Speaker of the House Taylor Barras is holding your pay raise hostage. He can change that on Monday, December 10.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to raise salaries for teachers and school employees depends on projected revenue that must be certified by a four-person committee called the Revenue Estimating Conference.

The four members of the committee – Speaker Barras, Senate President John Alario, Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, and Economist Jim Richardson, must all agree on an estimate of next year’s revenue before the governor can write his proposed budget.

State economists gave the Revenue Estimating Conference a revenue projection that included enough money to begin bringing teacher salaries up to the Southern Regional average, to give school employees a raise, and provide other necessary state services.

The REC met last week. Speaker Barras did not attend, but sent Rep. Cameron Henry in his place. Rep. Henry was the only member to vote against certifying the revenue estimate. His vote was purely political, aimed at frustrating Gov. Edwards’ plans.

Because of Rep. Henry’s “No” vote, Gov. Edwards cannot write a budget that includes the raises.

Please send Speaker Barras message. Tell him to attend the REC meeting on Monday in person, and to vote for the revenue projection!