Posted on Thu, Apr. 27, 2006

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Senate settles on budget plan

“I am not aware of secondhand eating.”

— Rep. Joe Neal, D-Richland, arguing for a bill banning smoking in restaurants and taking issue with a public health comparison to obesity.

TODAY AT THE STATE HOUSE

For a complete list of legislative meetings, go to http://www.scstatehouse.net/ and click on the “Meetings” link.

IN THE HOUSE: Convenes at 10 a.m. At 9 a.m., 516 Blatt Building, a Judiciary subcommittee discusses increasing the number of Supreme Court justices.

IN THE SENATE: Convenes at 10 a.m. No committee meetings scheduled.

THE DAILY BUZZ

RINGING TRUE

Cell phones are a required piece of equipment at the State House, with more than a few regulars having the devices seemingly stuck on their ears.

Now, it appears Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, would like a little less buzz from inside the state’s deliberative body.

The Senate leader took to the floor early during debate Wednesday to chastise members for their cell phone etiquette.

Senators and members of the gallery, McConnell said, have been failing to turn off the ringers on their phones and the chiming had interrupted proceedings.

“It has become a daily occurrence in this Senate,” McConnell said. “It is a violation of Senate rules.”

The Buzz wonders if ring tones set to “Dixie” might draw less criticism from McConnell, whose off-session focus is on his CSA Galleries memorabilia business.

SCHMOOZING

Where and from whom state lawmakers will be able to get free food and drinks

• Breakfast: 8 a.m., 221 Blatt Building, hosted by Health Sciences South Carolina.

MORE ON THE WEB

What you can find online at thestate.com

• YGA Today, midday news from inside the State House, is updated several times each legislative day.

• Our searchable list of state employee salaries for workers earning more than $50,000 a year.

A QUICK SPIN AROUND THE STATE HOUSE

The Senate gave final approval to a $6.5 billion state spending plan that increases funding for schools, colleges and health care costs, but has drawn criticism for allocating too much and saving too little.

After a second full day of debate, the final proposal was changed little from what the Senate Finance Committee recommended two weeks ago. The plan includes millions for local projects around the state, including about a dozen in the Midlands.

There was spirited debate on a proposal by Sen. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson, which would earmark more than $200 million for tax rebates. Others questioned the Senate’s creation of a more than $80 million “wish list” of projects awaiting state funding.

“I believe the taxpayer has been overcharged,” Bryant said, noting his proposal would give each taxpayer about $125. The Senate voted 30-12 to reject Bryant’s proposal, which is similar to an approach advocated by Gov. Mark Sanford.

Debate broke down for a while in the evening as lawmakers argued about whether the Senate should authorize projects for which they do not yet have money.

Gov. Mark Sanford opposed the Senate budget for a different reason, believing budget growth will outpace revenues.

“You cannot defy gravity in the long run,” Sanford said. “Gravity always works.”

Senate Finance chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, defended the budget, arguing Bryant’s proposal would mean cutting money — requested by Sanford — to buy generators, food and supplies for hurricane shelters.

The budget, Leatherman said, already includes $848 million in tax relief or savings.

“I do get tired of this talk of runaway spending,” Leatherman said. “We’re looking out for the services we need, whether it be education or public safety. Yes, we’re looking out for the taxpayer.”

Leatherman and others acknowledged a spending increase, but they have referred to this year’s plan as restoring state services following leaner budget years.

The budget includes millions for Midlands projects, including streetscaping in Columbia, water and sewer projects in Lexington and Kershaw counties, and road improvements for Hard Scrabble Road and the new Shop Road farmer’s market.

In other news:

House members halted an attempt by York County legislators to exempt their school districts from the state’s new uniform school start date. Debate could resume today.

The House gave key approval to several bills. These measures are headed to the Senate for consideration:

• Allowing USC Sumter to offer four-year degrees, subject to funding

• Giving tax credits to banks that put their headquarters in South Carolina

• Establishing a state grant program for volunteer fire departments, which can use the money to buy lifesaving equipment

• Allowing the state Department of Social Services access to juvenile criminal records, so juveniles with criminal records are not placed in foster homes with small children

Also, the Senate gave key approval to a bill requiring hospitals and other surgical facilities to collect data on hospital-acquired infections and state regulators to make the information public.