Cash-Rich States Eye Preschool for All, Raises for Teachers

A 7% teacher pay bump in New Mexico. A record increase in education spending in Kentucky. Bonuses for school bus drivers in South Carolina.

U.S. governors are drawing up ambitious spending plans, seizing on revenue surpluses and a $195 billion lifeline from the Biden administration.

A bevy of recent budget proposals aim to take full advantage of states’ improved balance sheets to tackle everything from ailing water infrastructure to the U.S. labor shortage.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, is pushing for his state to help ease the burden of childcare with full-day kindergarten and preschool for all of ...