Actually there those cost estimates are not accuratte, and a shell game. Fifty percent of the costs come from step increases. And those are "modeled", meaning they are calculated by moving everyone up a step ASSUMING NO ONE QUITS OR RETIRES. So you have no new hires at the bottom and no exits at the top. A fantasy. The result is a serious overestimate.. That in turn is budgeted for. But the state then maintains empty classrooms and generally 4 percent fewer employees than whats budgeted for. Youbthen have a billion dollar surplus. Which indicates not just one time  money that available for new raises but ongoing money already available for these raises. There is the level of raises, which are basically inflation adjustments. News flash! Our tax system automatically collects tax revenue on inflation and that funds these raises. Remember all the problems the SHOPO contract was going to cause Honolulu government. Care to guess the government cuts that occured?