COLUMBIA S.C. — The South Carolina House of Representatives passed its version of a $14 billion state spending plan 99-13 late Tuesday after more than 13 hours of debate.

All 124 House members stayed past midnight into Wednesday so that the measure could have its third reading, sending them home for the rest of the week.

If the $14.6 billion budget passes, state workers would have to pay more out-of-pocket for health insurance premiums. For the first time in over a decade, the state would not cover all state health plan premiums, only allotting $89.3 million.

It also includes pay raises for teachers and state employees. Starting pay for teachers would increase to $48,500 a year, a $1,500 raise.

The budget plan vows $270 million to help pay for damages left during Hurricane Helene and $200 million to drop the state’s highest income tax rate to 6% from 6.2%, a move Gov. Henry McMaster has pushed for.

Members of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus attempted to cut $1 billion from the state budget in an effort to end tuition freezes at state universities and defund agencies like the South Carolina Arts Commission, the state Human Affairs Commission and the Sea Grant Consortium.

“This is not just a trim. This is a fundamental reshaping of the way we think about government just as President Trump has proven in Washington,” said Freedom Caucus leader and Republican Rep. Jordan Pace of Goose Creek.

However, the proposals did not gain any traction.

The South Carolina Senate is expected to debate the proposed budget late next month.