NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Some Tennessee teachers are feeling shortchanged after receiving their bonuses tied to the school voucher bill that passed earlier this year.

Republicans promised educators would receive a one-time bonus of "no less than $2,000," but after federal taxes and other expenses were deducted, the checks were worth around $1,300.

“We keep saying we’re giving teachers a $2,000 bonus, and when they open it up and it’s $1,329, that’s not $2,000," JC Bowman, executive director and CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee, said.

The bonuses were considered "earnable compensation," which is tax-deductible under TN law. However, Bowman told News 2 that both teachers and some lawmakers were under the impression educators would receive $2,000 after taxes.

“I know from talking to legislators they expected teachers to get $2,000, and that just simply did not happen, and they need to know that," Bowman said.

House Majority Leader William Lamberth issued the following statement to News 2 regarding the tax deductions:

"Republicans in the General Assembly fought hard to provide Tennessee teachers with raises and bonuses this year, and we're proud to be a zero-income tax state. It's extremely disappointing that the federal government would take such a large portion of our teachers' bonuses and hard-earned pay.  President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to eliminate the federal income tax and Tennessee Republicans gratefully and enthusiastically support this effort."

However, Bowman said that isn't the only issue. The bonuses were supposed to be distributed by the end of July, but, according to Bowman, some districts have yet to give them out.

“Teachers have a lot of back-to-school expenses, both for clothes; they buy a lot of school supplies," Bowman said. "When the tax-free holiday was there, they’re going to buy a lot of materials themselves for their classrooms that they could have used that money for, so getting it into their hands earlier would have been better for them.” 

Bowman encouraged teachers to inform their legislators about the issues, but said at the end of the day, the bonuses put a little extra cash into teachers' pockets, where every dollar counts.

“I would tell them to take the money, spend it on their family, and bank some of that money if they can, the little bit that they can have.” 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/tn-teachers-say-voucher-bill-bonus-falls-short-after-taxes/