Committee OKs pay hike for teachers
By JIM DAVENPORT Associated Press Writer

COLUMBIA - South Carolina teachers would get a raise and have more money to spend on supplies under the first pieces of the state budget approved Tuesday.

A House budget-writing committee is working this week on the state's $7 billion spending plan. Some of the first proposals approved include raising average teacher pay to $47,000, up from $45,179.

The move would cost state and local taxpayers $98.9 million, but it would keep the state on track to pay teachers $300 more than the average for Southeastern states.

House committee members also agreed to raise the amount teachers are paid for supplies to $270 from $250.

They also approved a measure that would prohibit school districts from selling advertising space on school buses. While no district has started selling the space, some have indicated a willingness to.

This year's budget is being debated amid fears of a recession and an economic downturn. Gov. Mark Sanford told legislators in January that he wants $326 million cut from state spending.

The Republican governor proposed cutting a health care program for poor children and a program that delivers hot meals to seniors.