#Redfored: Ducey Vetoes 10 Bills To Pressure Legislature To Fund Raises For Teachers
By Chris McCrory
PHOENIX – Gov. Doug Ducey on Friday responded to plans for a teacher walkout by vetoing 10 bills and calling for legislators to craft a budget that includes his plan to increase teacher pay by 20 percent by 2020.
Organizers with Arizona Educators United announced the walkout Thursday night, effective April 26. Leaders said 78 percent of the 57,000 educators who voted supported the walkout.
It is believed to be the first statewide teacher walkout in Arizona’s history.
Teachers, who in some districts were told to use sick or personal days for the walkout, may face repercussions, including being fired and replaced if the walkout continues for an extended period. By law, Arizona must provide 180 school days each year.
Friday, Ducey vetoed 10 bills on his desk, each time sending a variation of the same letter back to House Speaker J.D. Mesnard asking the speaker to send him a state budget that gives teachers a 20 percent raise by 2020 and “restores additional assistance” to schools…..