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A new bill introduced by a Florida congresswoman aims to incentivize states to increase minimum teacher salaries as the country’s education system faces a growing need for educators. The American Teacher Act was introduced last week by Rep. Frederica S. Wilson, chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee. The bill would work to entice states to increase the minimum K-12 teacher salary to $60,000 through a federal grant program. The bill is an attempt to persuade educators to remain in the profession as a national teacher shortage impacts districts across the country — a problem that has been...

For a nation accustomed to instant gratification, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a winner.Before President Donald Trump even signed the bill, companies were announcing employee pay raises, bonuses, and increased investments to grow their businesses and bring operations back from overseas.Among the first out of the gate was AT&T, which said it would give $1,000 bonuses to more than 200,000 nonmanagement employees and make an additional $1 billion investment in the United States. Boeing put $100 million toward training, education, and other workforce development. Walmart expanded paid parental leave and boosted starting wages to $11 an hour.Then in...

A decision on Wednesday that the Bundestag’s 709 members get a pay raise next June when average wage trends are calculated drew criticism from a tax austerity lobby group as well as the outer edges of the political spectrum. The Federation of Taxpayers (BdSt), which leans toward supporting businesses, said the planned rise gave the “wrong signal” while Germany remained without a new federal government in the wake of its September 24 election. The system of automatized adjustments designed to answer criticism of self-service and first practiced in July 2016 gives a newly constituted Bundestag only three months into its...

President Barack Obama issued an executive order to end the pay freeze on federal employees, in effect giving some federal workers a raise. One federal worker now to receive a pay increase is Vice President Joe Biden. According to disclosure forms, Biden made a cool $225,521 last year. After the pay increase, he'll now make $231,900 per year. Members of Congress, from the House and Senate, also will receive a little bump, as their annual salary will go from $174,000 to 174,900. Leadership in Congress, including the speaker of the House, will likewise get an increase.

Make that a dozen. Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, said late last week he is giving back his legislative pay raise.That means 12 of Wisconsin's 132 lawmakers are now returning their 5.3 percent raise in the face of a record $5.9 billion state budget deficit. Davis originally told the State Journal he was going to take his pay raise and donate it to charity. Davis said feedback from constituents and a proposed 0 percent pay increase for state employees in the next two-year state budget persuaded him to return his raise to state coffers instead. "Given the conditions of the state...

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U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell is a lead sponsor of federal legislation to block congressional pay raises in 2010. Mitchell and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul argue that Congress should not be getting automatic $4,700 pay raises while the U.S. economy is in recession and consumers and various industries are hurting. “We’re in the midst of a recession, and our elected leaders need to do the right thing,” said Mitchell, D-Ariz., in a statement. “For Congress to give itself a pay raise at a time when so many hardworking Americans are suffering is unconscionable.” Mitchell represents Scottsdale, Tempe and Ahwatukee. Congressional members...

Unemployment is at its highest level in 15 years. Housing prices won't stop falling. The stock market has suffered its most punishing collapse since 1931, and shareholders have lost $7 trillion in wealth. Millions of workers have lost their jobs; millions more are worried about losing theirs. IRAs and 401k accounts have been decimated, and companies are halting their contributions to retirement plans. Retail sales are dragging, the credit markets have seized up, and worse is expected in 2009. The government has gone to unprecedented lengths to improve the economy, yet the economy keeps getting worse. The federal budget deficit...

As Bay State residents grapple with layoffs and salary cuts, Massachusetts’ 12-member congressional delegation is digging into a whopping $4,700 salary boost that went into effect Thursday. Six of the 12 delegation members told the Herald they’d accepted the automatic increase, which will hike their pay to $174,000, a roughly 2.8 percent raise, when Congress convenes Tuesday. “Right now the vast majority of the public is just happy to have a job,” said Steve Ellis, vice president of fiscal watchdog Taxpayers for Common Sense. U.S. Rep. Barney Frank ... admitted to feeling guilty about the raise at a time when...

UNEMPLOYMENT is at its highest level in 15 years. Housing prices won't stop falling. The stock market has suffered its most punishing collapse since 1931, and shareholders have lost $7 trillion in wealth. Millions of workers have lost their jobs; millions more are worried about losing theirs. IRAs and 401k accounts have been decimated, and companies are halting their contributions to retirement plans. Retail sales are dragging, the credit markets have seized up, and worse is expected in 2009. The government has gone to unprecedented lengths to improve the economy, yet the economy keeps getting worse. The federal budget deficit...

Federal judges lose bid for pay raisesA quirk in federal law prevents them from getting automatic cost-of-living increases. A bill before Congress to boost their salaries showed promise -- but that was before the Wall Street meltdown. By David G. Savage January 1, 2009 Reporting from Washington -- Joining the many who felt shortchanged by 2008 are the nation's federal judges. They were the only federal employees who did not receive a cost-of-living pay increase. **SNIP** In his fourth year-end report on the federal judiciary, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said he has been repeating himself. "I suspect many...

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Making his annual year-end report, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday renewed his call for an increase in judicial pay. "Our country wisely preserves and maintains its national symbols. As citizens, we should strive with no less determination and vigor to preserve and maintain what our flag signifies and our anthem celebrates," Roberts wrote. "The Judiciary depends on such people, who have made American courts the envy of the world and the model for new democracies. As I have previously pointed out, however, widespread esteem is no reason for complacency." "I suspect many...

In light of the Abramoff scandal, there are many calls for reform. However, rather than making things better, it will as many past reforms have done, make things worse. Take for example, the John McCain and the Campaign Finance Reformers told us that there was too much money in politics, and this was the reason behind the McCain-Feingold legislation. However, what they did not eliminate was the NEED for money. There are two reforms that I believe are vital to making sure Congress works better. You Get What You Pay For Congressmen earn $162,100 per year which is a jaw-dropping...

Chief Justice John Roberts urged Congress to increase judicial pay to help keep good judges on the bench and to recruit new ones. “Our god-like power over mere mortals is insufficient motivation,” Roberts said. “We need more loot, too.” Roberts warned Congress that if judges' pay is not raised, many may be forced into brigandage or beggary. Roberts said judges are leaving the bench in greater numbers than ever before. “The attractions of crime and government welfare are too alluring for too many judges,” he said. Roberts says he has seen several former judges standing on freeway ramps in the...

WASHINGTON - In his first year-end assessment of the federal judiciary, Chief Justice John Roberts urged Congress to increase judicial pay to help keep good judges on the bench and to recruit new ones. Roberts, who succeeded the late William Rehnquist, warned Congress that judges' pay is an issue that is driving them off the bench and deterring qualified lawyers from throwing their names into consideration for judgeships. "A strong and independent judiciary is not something that, once established, maintains itself," Roberts wrote. "It is instead a trust that every generation is called upon to preserve, and the values it...

WASHINGTON - In his first year-end assessment of the federal judiciary, Chief Justice John Roberts urged Congress to increase judicial pay to help keep good judges on the bench and to recruit new ones. Roberts, who succeeded the late William Rehnquist, warned Congress that judges' pay is an issue that is driving them off the bench and deterring qualified lawyers from throwing their names into consideration for judgeships. "A strong and independent judiciary is not something that, once established, maintains itself," Roberts wrote. "It is instead a trust that every generation is called upon to preserve, and the values it...

Bush Signs Executive Order to Raise Federal Workers' Pay WASHINGTON - President Bush on Thursday outlined pay raises that take effect in January for federal workers, members of Congress, judges even Vice President Dick Cheney. Congress passed the pay raises earlier this year, but Bush was required to sign an executive order detailing the pay hikes before the end of the year. The president's annual salary of $400,000 is not affected by the legislation. The cost-of-living raise lifts salaries for members of the House and Senate by 1.9 percent from $162,100 this year to $165,200 in 2006. The measure provides...

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator George Allen (R-VA) today urged Congress to do more to help the families of soldiers killed in action by raising what is called the "Death Gratuity" to $100,000. The benefit is a cash payment to the survivor of soldiers killed in battle to help them cope with their immediate needs following the loss of their loved one. Currently, families receive $12,000 under the program......

CRAWFORD, Texas - President Bush spelled out in greater detail Thursday the pay raise that takes effect Jan. 1 for federal workers, members of Congress, judges - even Vice President Dick Cheney. Congress passed the pay raises earlier this year, but Bush was required to sign an executive order detailing the pay hikes before the end of the year. He did so Thursday. The president's annual salary of $400,000 is not affected by the legislation. The cost-of-living raise lifts salaries for members of the House and Senate from $158,000 this year to $162,100 in 2005. The measure provides civil servants...

Authorization Act Funds 3.5 Percent Troop Pay Raise, Cuts Housing Costs By Gerry J. Gilmore - American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 26th, 2004 -- Money contained within the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act will fund a 3.5 percent troop pay raise and eliminate servicemembers' out-of-pocket costs for family housing, DoD's top military personnel official noted. The January troop pay raise will be applied across the board to all servicemembers and won't feature pay hikes targeted to specific ranks as in past years, David S. C. Chu, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said during a recent Pentagon...