SC budget cuts spur pay cuts for lawmakers

Some South Carolina lawmakers will go without travel and expense payments for additional weeks next year because of the state’s budget troubles.
   
House of Representatives Clerk Charles Reid said Tuesday that members of the chamber plan to go without that pay for three weeks in March and April and some are discussing forgoing legislative salaries. Staff members also will have 10 days of unpaid leave been January and June.
   
Reid says the House should save $58,500 weekly on travel and expenses and about $180,000 through the staff furlough. He also hopes to save about $100,000 by ditching fancy stationery used by 124 members and 11 committees.
   
Furloughs, printing savings and tapping reserves still leave the House short after a 20 budget percent cut.