A Senate Finance subcommittee scuttled House plans to refinance tobacco settlement bonds to pay for Medicaid programs and rejected a tax trade-off plan sought by Gov. Mark Sanford. Instead, the subcommittee approved a plan Wednesday that would increase cigarette taxes by 53 cents a pack, up from 7 cents a pack. That plan also decreases sales taxes on groceries by a half cent each year. In nine years, the grocery sales tax would be a penny on the dollar. The plan would raise about $150 million for Medicaid programs.

Lending bill would protect consumers

The House approved a bill that would protect consumers from high-interest loans and other controversial lending practices. The bill defines high- cost loans and prohibits certain provisions such as interest increases or balloon payments. The Senate passed its version of the bill last week. One major difference in the House version is the omission of mandatory credit counseling for someone seeking a high-cost loan.

Legislation hogties local restrictions

The House last week approved legislation that would prevent counties from imposing stricter regulations on large hog farm operations. The bill has divided lawmakers, with supporters saying counties are overstepping their authority and opponents saying the bill could strip power from local governments. The bill now moves to the Senate for debate. Five counties -- Clarendon, Darlington, Lancaster, Lee and Marlboro -- adopted such strict zoning regulations that industry officials say they cannot locate in those counties and worry other local governments will follow.

Panel debates repeat DUI bill

A House subcommittee began debate Wednesday on a bill that would revoke the vehicle registration of drivers who receive multiple drunken driving convictions. Under the bill, the registration of the vehicle driven in the offense would be revoked for 60 days to a year. All other vehicles owned by the person would have their registration revoked or suspended for at least five days. The House Criminal Laws Subcommittee will discuss the bill again this week.

House furlough to help save money

Members of the House plan to take a three-day furlough later this month to help save money during the state's budget crisis. House members are taking a furlough April 15-17, House Speaker David Wilkins said Thursday. The House should save about $42,000 in mileage and per diem costs that usually are paid to lawmakers, Wilkins said. No House staff members will be affected by the furloughs and Wilkins said he is "committed and determined" to avoid laying off any employees.