Sen. Pierce applauds inclusion of teacher salary increases in supplemental budget passed by Legislature, signed by Governor
AUGUSTA — Today, Senate Majority Leader Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, applauded the inclusion of minimum teacher salary increases in the supplemental budget passed by the Maine Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills last week.
“Our teacher shortage continues to grow as the majority of Maine’s teaching workforce prepares for retirement over the next 10 years,” said Sen. Pierce. “This budget allows us to prepare for that wave of retirement and begin aggressively recruiting and retaining the next generation of teachers to meet this need. Our schools, the families in our districts and the future of our communities rely on well-qualified educators who teach and mentor our students, allowing them to grow, compete and shine. It is our responsibility to ensure public education and the workforce behind it remains strong.”
This investment in Maine’s educator workforce gradually raises the minimum teacher salary to $50,000, helping schools recruit and retain the next generation of teachers. By strengthening pay and stability in the profession, this budget supports students, bolsters public education and builds a stronger workforce and economy for Maine’s future.
In 2019, then-Rep. Pierce supported Governor Mills’ initiative to increase the minimum teacher salary to $40,000. This supplemental budget builds on that work, and reaffirms the Legislature and Governor’s commitment to supporting public education.
The 2026 supplemental budget delivers for working families, prioritizing stability and responsibility through a targeted tax increase on those earning more than $1M per year, allowing the state to respond to real pressures facing Maine people — from rising housing and energy costs, to child care access and health care, while maintaining discipline around ongoing spending and preparing for continued economic uncertainty. It will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.
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