S.C. Education Funding Would Drop Under Haley's Budget

Credit: S.C. Governor's Office

Gov. closer look shows her recommendations would actually decrease state...

S.C. Appropriations and Expenses

Cost Per Student and Teacher Salaries

By: Associated Press | SEANNA ADCOX
Published: February 20, 2012

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COLUMBIA, S.C. --

Gov. Nikki Haley says her proposed budget for the next fiscal year increases money for public schools. But a closer look shows her recommendations would actually decrease state funding by nearly $80 million.

The Republican governor is correct only by disregarding some pots of money. Her proposal represents an increase in recurring money for K-12 schools, when factoring in all state revenue sources - chiefly, the penny of the state sales tax that goes directly to education programs.

However, closer look shows her recommendations would actually decrease state funding by nearly $80 million.

That includes $56 million legislators added to the budget to boost a key funding source that pays primarily for teacher salaries - money they added over her veto.

The full House budget-writing committee will begin debating the budget this week.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)