FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – Gov. Andy Beshear is still pushing the General Assembly to consider an 11% increase for educators in the state.

Over the weekend, Gov. Beshear used social media saying, “In many Kentucky counties, especially rural ones, public schools are the biggest employers. Just imagine what would happen in these communities if we finally gave our educators the 11% raise they deserve."

The last time Kentucky teachers got a state-mandated dedicated raise above two percent was in 2008.

The General Assembly has left it up to local districts to use existing dollars to fund increases for employee pay. The proposed state budget does not include funding for across-the-board salary increases.

In data released at the end of 2023, Kentucky teachers earnred about $9,736 less than they did 16 years ago when factoring in inflation.