The budget proposal headed for debate by the South Carolina House includes roughly $50 million to boost state law enforcement and better secure prisons.
/ FILE
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The budget proposal headed for debate by the South Carolina House includes roughly $50 million to boost state law enforcement and better secure prisons.
The House Ways and Means spending plan for 2013-14 calls for hiring 25 agents to supervise parolees, 10 natural resource officers and 15 people at the State Law Enforcement Division. It would also add 18 highway troopers through a personnel shift.
Rep. Mike Pitts says public safety agencies need to be restored following recession-era budget cuts. His subcommittee's plan would represent the second consecutive year of employee increases. Still, officers' ranks wouldn't return to 2008 levels.
