S.C. House approves 2 percent pay raise for state employees

The S.C. House approved a 2 percent pay raise for state employees Tuesday as they are considering the state’s $7.5 billion general fund budget.

The House approved picking up state employees’ increased health-care costs. However, employees would have to pay a .5 percent increase for retirement contributions.

The House budget panel’s proposal is lower than a 5 percent pay hike for state workers that a bipartisan group of state senators plans to push.

“It’s where you put your money that matters,” said state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, adding state employees are underpaid and overworked.

“State employees deserve better from us,” said Cobb-Hunter who has advocated for higher pay for state employees.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 3:33 PM.