By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Education Association will ask for a seven percent cost-of-living raise for teachers when the Legislature convenes in February. That would be an extra 24 hundred dollars a year for teachers earning an average salary. Public school employees received their last cost-of-living raise in October 2002. It was a three percent increase. But John Matson, spokesperson for Governor Bob Riley, says it's too early to discuss raises. He says the administration is still working on the budget estimates it will present to lawmakers next year.