(RALEIGH) -- North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis is defending a recent decision to give raises to his staff. The Raleigh News and Observer reported Tillis' office payroll grew by 10-percent compared to his predecessor, Joe Hackney. Still, Tillis said he still expects to cut his overall staff.
"By the end of this year we will be at least 15 percent - or lower - than the cost of staff over a [one] year period."

The current House Speaker says there was nothing wrong with the raises he gave his staff, adding that he put staff members on a probationary salary when members were originally hired, which were lower than standard level positions.