Posted on Sat, May. 27, 2006

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Panel works out budget details

Negotiators will return Tuesday to give spending plan final approval

By JOHN O’CONNOR

joconnor@thestate.com

House and Senate negotiators could not quite finish work on a $6.6 billion spending plan Friday, instead agreeing to a framework to be given final approval next week.

Lawmakers labored for eight hours to work out final details, and will return Tuesday to look over dollar amounts before giving final approval. The budget must then be approved by both houses.

One new emphasis in the budget is on emergency preparedness. The budget includes $7 million to prepare shelters and communications, and also creates a new reserve account that could be spent for relief following a hurricane or other disaster.

“I think we’re trying to be as prepared as we can for a big storm system,” said Rep. Dan Cooper, the House’s chief negotiator, “and hopefully we won’t get hit.”

The budget will likely include:

• An additional $570 million in property tax relief and $130 million, annually, in sales tax breaks on groceries

• Increases in the budgets for state troopers, corrections, juvenile justice and commerce

• Raises for state employees, as well as paying additional health care costs.

Because the budget was not approved, lawmakers will likely need to return after the scheduled June 1 end date to deal with expected vetoes from Gov. Mark Sanford.

Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8358.