AGENDA: Roads, budgeting in focus in coming week

State senators are expected to start floor debate Tuesday on a multi-billion-dollar bill to repair the state’s crumbling transportation structure. As outlined in this story, there are three issues that need to be addressed for a deal: the amount of a gas tax increase, whether to cut the state’s income tax and how to reform the state Department of Transportation. Also next week, senators may take up debate again on beachfront management rules, spurred by controversy surrounding development of Captain Sam’s Spit at Kiawah Island.

In Senate committees next week, the Education Committee will meet Wednesday as will the Banking and Insurance Committee, which will take up several finance-related measures. Three Senate Judiciary subcommittees will meet Wednesday on an alcohol measure, appointing a state superintendent and a change to the process of appointing a chair of the Workers’ Compensation Commission. On Thursday, Judiciary subcommittee members will discuss heirs’ property.

• See the Senate calendar for next week.

In the House, eight Ways and Means subcommittee meetings are set for budget talks on Tuesday, followed by another five meetings on Wednesday. The full Agriculture Committee will meet Thursday.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, a request on the House floor schedule had not been answered.  We will update this paragraph with that information when we get it.

• See the House calendar for next week.

Also next week:

• Business Speaks meeting. The S.C. Chamber of Commerce will bring business leaders and legislators together at an annual event scheduled for 4 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Columbia Marriott, 1200 Hampton St., Columbia. On tap: Discussions on infrastructure, workforce, education and business licensing reform. For more information, go to net and see the full agenda here.
• My SC Education Rally. School choice proponents organizing a 10 am. Jan. 27 rally at the Statehouse say as many as 3,000 parents, students, educators and leaders will meet on the steps outside the building. The event is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week.