Perdue proposes pay hike, insurance rate freeze for teachers

<p>COLLEGE PARK _ Gov. Sonny Perdue proposed giving Georgia's teachers a pay raise of at least 4 percent and said Tuesday the state will freeze any increase in health premiums paid by teachers.</p><p>He said his plan could translate into an overall pay raise of 7 percent for more than half of the state's teachers, due to added salary steps and other adjustments.</p><p>Perdue, a Republican, told a crowd of hundreds at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce's Eggs and Issues breakfast that he hopes to make education the foundation of his re-election campaign.</p><p>Teachers are paid an average of $45,988, the highest teaching wages in the region, the governor said.</p><p>"During my administration, we will ensure they'll stay at the top of the pack in the Southeast," he said. The 4 percent raise will cost the state $217 million and the freezing of health premiums will cost another $138 million.</p>