Governor Bentley Announces Education Trust Fund Budget Solution

MONTGOMERY— Governor Robert Bentley on Friday announced a budget resolution has been reached protecting active and retiree education employees from a health insurance cost increase.

Under the solution, the Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan (PEEHIP) will be funded to a level of $780 per individual per month.

Governor Bentley, House Education Chairman Bill Poole (R-Tuscaloosa), and Senate Education Chairman Trip Pittman (R-Daphne) issued the following statements:

“Our teachers, support personnel and retirees work hard and do a great job to prepare our students for success,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “Their take-home pay should not be reduced by inadequate funding for the health insurance program. I appreciate the House and Senate Leadership, especially Budget Chairmen Bill Poole and Trip Pittman, for working with me to reach a solution that will not require our active and retired education employees to pay more out-of-pocket for their health insurance.”

“Obama’s so-called Affordable Care Act has proven to be anything but affordable, and teachers and support staff are being affected like everyone else,” House Ways and Means Education Committee Chairman Bill Poole said. “I’m proud that by working with Governor Bentley, Speaker Hubbard, and the legislative leadership we were able to come up with a solution that would guarantee active and retiree health care costs will not increase.  I’m also proud that this agreement continues to prioritize students by putting funding directly into classrooms and local school systems where it’s needed most.”

“The vast majority of feedback we received from educators was over funding for PEEHIP,” Senate Finance and Taxation Committee Chairman Trip Pittman said. “I appreciate the leadership of Governor Bentley and Senator Marsh, along with the hard work of Representative Poole, in finding a responsible solution that protects against out-of-pocket increases to our hardworking teachers, administrators and support personnel.”