By Shannon Erickson
During our most recent House furlough, the Ways & Means committee held its full committee debate and vote to pass the budget bill out of committee favorably. As Chairman of House Education & Public Works, I am pleased to report that the budget proposal contains $200 million of the total $600 million of this years “state surplus” funds directed to public K-12 Education – including teacher pay increases – that’s 1/3!
Under the proposal:
- Teacher starting pay is proposed to increase to $47,000. (Some of you may remember when teacher pay in 2018-2019 was $32,000. That’s a $15,000 raise, or 47% raise in seven years.)
- Salary increases are more weighted towards the beginning of the pay schedule, but the average salary increase is 5.1%.
- Teacher salary schedule is not losing lanes this year.
- Teacher salary schedule is expanding from 23 years to 28.
- Teacher untaxed classroom supply check is increasing from $350 to $400.
- State health plan increase for teachers is covered by the state.
- In higher education, college and university tuition is frozen for the sixth year in a row.
- For the public works side of our committee, SCDOT is receiving extra $200 million for bridges.
Other important points:
– State Income tax is decreased to 6.3%.
– State employees earning under $66,667 may receive a $1,000 raise. Others may see a 1.5% raise.
– State health plan increases are covered by the state for the 11th year in a row.
We hope these priorities show parents that we hear their requests for options for children in early childhood, K-12 and higher education. Teachers, we hope you feel our appreciation. Citizens dreaming of career training, college or university degrees, we heed your request for more affordable options. And those traveling our roads and bridges, we grasp your need for safety and accessibility.
Many thanks to the House Ways & Means Committee and Staff for their hard work. I look forward to debating and passing our state’s constitutionally-mandated, balanced budget.
Part of the process is a week for all House members to read the full, printed or online budget bill. It is my sincere hope that they will read, research and get ready for a comprehensive, knowledgable, prepared debate on facts and policy so the following week will feature genuine debate.
Sadly, politics often takes over, and while some members will take this seriously, others will use it for political “gotchas and sound bites” with misleading media posts. Please do not fall prey to those insincere distortions and bad-faith innuendos. If you have any questions about the budget, an appropriation or debate point (or other legislation), please reach out and I will get you data and facts.You deserve professionalism and truth.
To the citizens of House District 124 and the State of South Carolina, please accept my sincerest thanks for allowing me to serve you in Columbia. Please reach out if I can be of assistance to you. “Dum Spiro Spero!”
Beaufort Republican Shannon S. Erickson represents District 124 in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
