Reeves says education agenda includes teacher pay raises

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves says he has a four-year plan to increase Mississippi teacher salaries if he’s elected governor.

He says it will not require a tax increase because Mississippi’s economy is good and state tax collections are exceeding expectations.

Reeves released his education proposals Wednesday, discussing them at a news conference in Gulfport.

On Thursday, he and the Democratic nominee for governor, Attorney General Jim Hood, are debating each other for the first time. That’s happening at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and is being carried on statewide TV and radio.

Hood released his education proposals, including a teacher pay raise plan, weeks ago. Hood said Wednesday that teachers have struggled with low pay during Reeves’ time as lieutenant governor.

The election is Nov. 5.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)