CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The West Virginia House has voted to apply $29 million from the state’s rainy day fund to freeze insurance rates for teachers and state workers for the next fiscal year.
With scores of teachers rallying Friday in the Capitol, delegates voted 95-1 to pass the bill.
Teachers have been protesting low pay, projected hikes in health insurance costs and small proposed pay hikes.
Further rallies are planned Saturday in Charleston.
The House of Delegates has voted to give teachers 2 percent raises next year and 1 percent the next three years. The Senate earlier approved 1 percent raises annually for five years.
With teachers crowding its galleries early Friday afternoon, the Senate voted 21-12 against bringing the legislation back out of committee and shortly after that adjourned until evening.
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