AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) A Maine legislative committee has approved a proposal to provide a minimum salary to the state’s teachers with a party-line vote.

The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted 6-4 in favor of a minimum $40,000 salary on Wednesday, with Democrats supporting the measure. The proposal is also designed to increase mentoring for early-career teachers and bump the amount of student loan aid available to students who want to become teachers.

The Portland Press Herald reports the four Republicans who voted against the bill support an amendment to include a $40,000 base pay as part of a statewide teachers’ contract.

Maine last increased the minimum teacher pay in the state to $30,000 in 2005. The average beginning salary in the current academic year is a little more than $35,000.