Apr 9 2008

state workers’ pay increase cut instead of pork

In our special meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 SC Senate Finance removed the 2% salary increase from the budget. This pay increase did not include legislators – not to be confused with the retirement 2% COLA in S. S. 1124. If this was the last option we had to balance the budget, I might consider the cut. I did not vote for this cut because there are other areas to look first. For example, the Legislative Slush fund (competitive grants) has $18 million remaining from last year, but I’m told the law doesn’t allow us to use that money to balance the budget. Last time I checked we write the law so I’d like to explore ways to get that money. Also, we’re sending $3.5 million to the Greenwood Genetics Center whatever that does. We’re sending $24 million in scholarships to Coastal Carolina. We could expand medicaids’ prior authorization on prescriptions to save us millions, but no, we pick on our dedicated state employees. Go figure…

By Kevin Bryant • Uncategorized •