S.C. lawmakers nix proposal to give 2 percent raise to state workers making less than $100K

COLUMBIA (AP) - South Carolina lawmakers are starting to debate items in the $9 billion state budget where some of them disagree.

The House started its second day of budget talks Tuesday after spending the day before approving dozens of sections of the budget by large margins and without debate.

The first major debate came in a proposal to give state workers who make less than $100,000 a 2 percent pay raise.

Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg suggested an amendment that would give an additional 2 percent raise to state employees who make less than $50,000. The House voted 76-37 against the additional raise.

Other items expected to be debated Tuesday include adding $44 million to freeze tuition for in-state college students and $40 million for new voting machines.