Grand Canyon Times

State Rep. Matt Gress (R-4 joined Arizona Superintendent of Instruction Tom Horne at a state capitol press conference today in support of HB2800 — a bill to "increase the base salary of all eligible teachers" in Arizona.

"Today, @RealTomHorne, other lawmakers and education advocates joined me today at the Capitol to support #HB2800, the #PayTeachersFirst plan," tweeted Gress. 

According to the bill summary, HB 2800, "Mandates each school district and charter school (public school) increase the base salary of all eligible teachers as prescribed. Creates the Pay Teachers First Fund (Fund) and appropriates a total a $1,100,000,000 in FYs 2024 and 2025 to the Fund for required teacher salary increases."

"It’s simple," said Gress, the original sponsor of the legislation. "Provide every Arizona public school classroom teacher a permanent $10,000 raise – with 100% of the new state dollars going directly to teachers, rather than bureaucracy."

Gress said that the bill is "scheduled for a House floor vote next Monday."

The Arizona Department of Education tweeted in support of the bill, "Superintendent Horne is joining @AZHouseGOP in support of Rep.@MatthewGress's Pay Teachers First Plan. This bill would give Arizona's hard-working teachers a $10,000 raise and rank our state 4th in starting salary! #EducationForAll."

Gress (R) was elected in 2022 to represent Arizona District 4 in the state House of Representatives. He grew up in Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma. Gress received his Masters degree from Syracuse University and previously served as a public school teacher and budget director for former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R). Gress is openly gay and resides with his partner, Daniel, in Phoenix, Arizona.