21.   Inflation is rising and will likely eat up most of the pay hike, the board predicts.

22.   Kaiser officials declined to say whether they will have to raise premiums because of the pay hikes in the new contract.

23.   Nonetheless, behind the emotionalism that can be generated by this issue, serious cases are being made for and against the pay hikes.

24.   Other areas of the country where enrollment has remained stagnant or declined may have had more money available to fund pay hikes, he said.

25.   Opponents said the measure did not provide sufficient tax relief for employers that would have to support the pay hike.

26.   Recognizing this, Hayworth pledged to donate his pay hike to charity.

27.   Teacher unions across the country have vehemently protested tying teacher bonuses or pay hikes to student performance.

28.   The agreement also covers school counselors, psychologists and librarians, who will receive smaller pay hikes.

29.   The congressional pay hike is really a cost-of-living raise.

30.   The NTU recently joined with Nader in opposing the congressional pay hike, which was approved without a recorded vote.