Legislature’s $7.5B Spending Plan Heading to Gov. Haley

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The Legislature has given final approval to a $7.5 billion spending plan that increases spending on K-12 schools by more than $300 million and provides technical colleges more than $100 million for building improvements and equipment.

The House’s vote Wednesday sends legislators’ compromise to Gov. Nikki Haley, who has a week to issue her vetoes.

Legislators will return June 15 to deal with those vetoes before the fiscal year starts July 1.

The budget includes a 3.25 percent cost-of-living increase for state employees and a 2 percent raise for public school teachers. They will also see a step increase for experience, through 23 years in the classroom.

Other education increases include $9 million to help recruit teachers to poor, rural districts and $23 million for school buses.