(Columbia-AP) May 12, 2003 - The slow pace of budget deliberations in the Senate may mean taxpayers will have to pay for extended legislative session.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell says the chamber could finish by the June 5th adjournment, but that would leave no time to deal with vetoes.

An extended session would cost about $25,000, and the added costs would come as other state agencies are still trying to cut almost nine percent from their budgets to wrap up the current fiscal year.

Both the House and Senate have a Republican majority and party leaders in both those bodies say Senate Democrats are slowing the process.

Despite the lingering budget crisis, lawmakers have been able to find $4.1 million to fund projects in the districts. Seven projects have received more than $100,000 in state funding through the state Department of Health and Environmental Control's budget for the fiscal year that ends next month.

This one-time money goes through every large state agency, but the agencies have no control over the funds.

House Majority Leader Rick Quinn of Columbia, funneled $900,000 to the Richland County Recreation Commission to pay for soccer and baseball fields in his district.

Representative Bill Clyburn and Senator Tommy Moore, both Democrats from the Aiken area, got $500,000 for the Edgefield County Senior Citizens Council to help replace a senior center.

posted 8:18am by Chris Rees