(Columbia-AP) March 24, 2004 - Governor Mark Sanford is defending the sizable raises he's given three of his staff members in a tight budget year.

The Republican governor gave spokesman Will Folks a raise from $42,500 to $60,000 a year, and increase of more than 41 percent. The salary form communications director Chris Drummond was raised from $70,000 to $80,000, an increase of 14 percent. Neither Folks nor Drummond was given new job duties.

Sanford's representative in Washington, Scott English, got a raise from $67,500 to $75,000, an increae of 11 percent. English had the role of policy adviser added to his job description.

The governor says the three men work long hours and make less than their predecessors.

Most state workers have --not-- received a pay raise in the past two years because of budget problems.

posted 12:27pm by Chris Rees