Every dollar they take out of my pocket to put in a teachers pocket makes it harder for me to pay my bills.  Also, I understand how they feel about going 2 years without a pay raise but they should try going 16 years without a raise. In fact, I was making $32,000 a year in 2008 and today I make $20,800 a year working for the same company and the same hours. If that isn't enough, try having the assessed value of your property go up $60,000 or more with no improvements to justify an increase.  I don't even have kids and I have to pay for someone else's kids indoctrination.