Teacher pay, insurance key issues at forum

HOT SPRINGS — Arkansas educators say the next governor of the state will need to help teachers overcome low pay and high health insurance premiums.

At a forum Tuesday in Hot Springs, the major-party nominees for governor told a meeting of the Arkansas Public School Resource Center they were sympathetic but that their ability to help is limited.

Responding to a question from the audience, Democratic candidate Mike Ross said tax cuts passed last year amid negotiations in Arkansas' Medicaid program will likely limit revenue growth to $50 million next year.

Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson agreed to the need to increase teacher pay and control insurance costs but told the crowd the next governor will face a challenge doing so.

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