A Monday leadership meeting, however, went nowhere.

"We'll probably see (the bill) again before the session is over," said Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem.

Money for teachers has been a popular venture in the past two years. Legislators last year upped the WPU 4 percent and gave teachers a $2,500 raise and a $1,000 bonus.

But this money is less popular.

The Utah Education Association wished teachers could have talked to the governor before he brokered the deal. Union bosses says the money might be better used on other needs, be it in science lab equipment or pay for classified employees.

Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, echoed other union concerns.

"I'm also concerned we are implementing a pay difference before we have committed to study it," It goes back to the notion of studying issues before we adopt policy, because I think that is the best way to enact legislation."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com