AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci has signed into law a bill to increase Maine teachers’ minimum salaries to $30,000 a year in two phases.

Baldacci, who signed the bill in routine fashion early this week, plans a formal bill signing ceremony later this month.

The first increase would bring pay to $27,000 later this year for teachers not already receiving that amount. The minimum would then rise again to $30,000 after June 30, 2007. The state is to cover the costs of the salary hikes for cities and towns.