Governor Chet Culver went before the state teacher’s union Tuesday night to thank the group for endorsing his bid for governor in 2006 and helping convince legislators to endorse a series of education bills earlier this year.
“Every teacher in the state getting a $9,000 raise, moving a step closer to universal preschool and passing the safe schools initiative,” Culver says. “…This group was especially helpful during the legislative session to accomplish all of our goals.” The Iowa State Education Association — the state teacher’s union — is holding its summer meeting in Storm Lake.
“We have roughly 36,000 teachers are they really deserve most of the credit for the legislative successes of 2007,” according to Culver. “Everyone knows a teacher. Everyone has been impacted by teachers and they are clearly some of the most effective lobbyists at the capitol and in their communities.” Culver spoke with Radio Iowa by phone as he was making his way from the airport to the I.S.E.A. meeting in Storm Lake.