A Texas Senate committee gave unanimous approval Thursday to a bill giving across-the-board pay raises for public school teachers, the first step forward for a top goal of lawmakers in both political parties.

The proposal comes as public school teachers in Texas are leaving the profession in droves and many districts are trying to make up budget shortfalls.

Conroe, comes as Texas educators have left the teaching profession in droves and the state has increased its reliance on instructors who lack formal classroom training. Gov. Greg Abbott declared teacher pay an “emergency item” earlier this month,