Senators likely to debate higher pay for workers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Senate’s tweaks to the House spending plan for 2012-13 may include higher raises for state workers and sending more money to local governments.

But the $180 million set aside for deepening the Charleston Harbor appears likely to stay.

Board of Economic Advisors’ chief economist Frank Rainwater and state budget office director Les Boles gave presentations Tuesday to the Senate Finance Committee.

Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman said the ports drive the state’s economy, and deepening the harbor is “very much a priority.”

Democratic Sen. Darrell Jackson made it known he will fight to give state workers a 4 percent pay increase — up from the 2 percent approved in the House plan. Other senators say the state needs to send local governments the full amount that state law requires.