Huntsville, AL- Republican Senator Shadrack McGill shook things up last week when he publicly said he did not think teachers should get raises, but State Senators should. McGill says higher pay would attract the wrong type of person to the teaching profession, while Senate raises would help keep legislators from accepting bribes. Democrats across the state have been quick to respond. Representative Craig Ford was vocal about his disapproval of McGill's comments.
"You can't tell me the teachers and educators don't need a pay raise. We are dealing with somebody that does not have a full deck and to say those statements and insult teachers and insult state employees--that is absolutely absurd."
A sentiment that Democratic Committee member Pam Miles shares. She says McGill's statement referring to Senators deserving pay raises is shocking.
"I think it is one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard. It's a part time job and I'm sure that teachers would love to swap places with him and get paid fifty thousand dollars for a part time job, literally working 30 days a year. "
McGill says his words were twisted around, but he stands by what he said.
" It's hard to be human and answer questions straight forward with some one because they have the tendancy to want to turn that into a dagger and stab you with it," he says. But Miles says his words were not twisted at all.
" I heard the audio clip, I heard exactly what he said, I saw the transcript and read exactly what he said and it was very clear to me."
