State lawmakers know how to take care of each other – with your money.

The House carried over $25 million in its budget for this fiscal year which started July 1. That’s nearly $2.9 million more than its last $22.2 million budget.

The Senate had $6.1 million in reserve July 1.

That’s 43% of its $14.3 million budget for 2017-18.

The House and Senate each want $250,000 more for “other operating expenses” next fiscal year.

Rep. Micah Caskey, R-Lexington, said an extra $250,000 for the House was needed to help pay for outside consultants to study the proposed sale of state-owned Santee Cooper.

“You wouldn’t sell your truck without knowing what it’s really worth,” he told the Chronicle. “If we’re going to sell Santee Cooper, we need to know what it’s worth. Unfortunately there’s not a Kelly Blue Book for $9 billion energy companies.

“We need experts to ensure we don’t get ripped off. Experts are expensive.”

The two chambers made the top-10 list of state agencies with the highest percentage of reserves compared to their general-fund appropriations last year.

Lawmakers routinely carry over millions in taxes every year for its operations, under a proviso that lets them to keep all unspent funds.

As the House debated the proposed $30 billion spending plan last week, Rep. Jonathon Hill, R-Anderson, introduced amendments to reject the requested increases.

He pointed out it would be for “every year hereafter.”

“We’re not short on cash,” Hill said. “We have plenty to do what we need to do.”

Some lawmakers quickly challenged his amendments.

Rep. Russell Ott, D-Calhoun, said failing to get the $250,000 would “incentivize folks to spend money because they have it so they get it again next year.”

The House budget grew 19% and the Senate 50% over inflation since 2010. The House wants $22.4 million and Senate $14.8 million this year.

In final votes, the House approved $250,000 more for the Senate 100-1 with Hill casting the sole “no.”

The House approved the $250,000 for itself 105-3.

Unlike other agencies, lawmakers have not let voters see their budgets in advance of the debates.

Lawmakers have long ignored the state law requiring their budget-writers to hold public hearings on the governor’s proposed budget 5 days after his spending plan is presented to them.

We sent written requests to Senate President Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, and clerk Jeff Gossett, House Speaker Jay Lucas and clerk Charles Reid for details about the proposed $250,000 increases.

None of them responded.

Brundrett is the news editor of The Nerve. Contact him at 803-254-4411 or rick@thenerve.org