By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | Senators wrapped up two days of fierce deliberations this week on the $9.3 billion state spending plan.
The budget, H. 4000, passed 38-4 with Republicans Richard Cash, Wes Climer, Larry Grooms, Greg Hembree, Shane Massey and Rex Rice voting against the bill.
One item that was rejected from the Senate budget was a Finance Committee proviso that directed the sale of state-owned utility Santee Cooper through the Department of Administration, according to Grooms, who opposed the proviso. According to Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, the bill that seeks to authorize this move has been moved to special order of the calendar.
Here is a roundup of stories on the budget this week:
- Senators approved an amendment 40-4 to prevent S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control or local government entities from using state funds to approve licenses or permits associated with offshore drilling or seismic testing. Read more.
- Where did lawmakers choose to send the nearly $1 billion windfall that came to state coffers this year? Check out the sidebar in this Post and Courier story.
- Senators reject effort to ban local governments from enacting single-use plastics bans.
- An attempt to ban all abortions from covered medical procedures for state employees was rejected.
- Teacher pay raises (4 percent) and state employee pay raises (2 percent) were kept the same as the House. Read more.
- Lawmakers approve $50 rebates.
In other news:
- Amid the budget deliberations on the Senate floor, senators confirmed the gubernatorial nomination of S.C. Department of Social Services Director Michael Leach. He received unanimous support.
Weekly update on Palmetto Priorities
Throughout the legislative session, we’ll provide you relevant updates related to our list of Palmetto Priorities, which are 10 big policy areas where major progress is needed for South Carolina to escape the bottom of lots of lists. Over the last week:
EDUCATION: Briefing on Senate version of reform Tuesday. The full Senate Education Committee convenes one hour after adjournment April 23 in room 209 of the Gressette building to discuss the massive education reform efforts in the state. See the agenda here. It could get an up-or-down vote from the committee as early as Wednesday.
HEALTHCARE: Medical marijuana to be heard in committee Thursday. The Compassionate Care Act will be in front of the full Senate Medical Affairs Committee 9 a.m. April 25 in room 209 of the Gressette building. See the agenda here.
Looking ahead
Click below for other items coming up in the Statehouse:
- House calendar
- Senate calendar
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
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