SC House budget-writing committee to debate raises

By: Associated Press | SCNOW
Published: February 22, 2012

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina legislators writing the state spending plan are expected to debate teacher salaries and pay raises for other public employees.

The House Ways and Means Committee will continue its work Wednesday on the 2012-13 state budget. Members hope to complete their proposal Thursday.

Democrats are pushing to give public employees their first raise in four years, following years of furloughs that reduced take-home pay. They also want to increase an education funding that primarily pays teacher salaries. Gov. Nikki Haley's budget proposal would reduce that so-called base student cost.

Many Republican legislators say they want to increase the amount in another education funding account by some amount.

Legislators will also likely debate how much to set aside for deepening the Charleston harbor.