January 14, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The South Carolina State Museum is raising admission prices to help offset a state budget cut of $800,000.

The State newspaper reported that adult admissions will go from $5 to $7 starting Monday. Senior citizens tickets will go from $4 to $5. There is no change in the price for children from 3 to 12, it will remain $3. Younger children are admitted free.

The museum is also requiring its 34 full-time employees to take nine days of unpaid leave this year.

There is no change in the annual membership rates, which offer free admission. Those are $35 for individuals and $45 for two people.

The museum's state funding has been reduced from $4.3 million to $3.5 million as the state struggles during the economic downturn.

------
Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)