Senate Gives Budget Critical Second Reading Friday May 16, 2003 6:18am How Concered Are You About Catching SARS?  Very Concerned  Somewhat Concerned  Not Concerned At All disclaimer  |  results  |  more polls ___  ABC News 4 Interact  ___    • Signup for eNews Alerts    • ABC News 4 Pulse Poll    • Whats Your Opinion?    • Printable Version    • E-Mail This Story ___  Related Stories  ___ Senate Rules Kill Another Tax Plan Senate Rule Kills Sales Tax Proposal Senate's $5.2 Billion Budget Going Nowhere Fast Columbia (AP) - Governor Mark Sanford's plan to increase the cigarette tax by 53 cents while lowering the income tax failed in the Senate Thursday night. Senators voted 27-to-18 to table the issue.  The tax increase would have generated about 171 million dollars needed for the state Medicaid programs for the poor, disabled and elderly.  The tax reduction would have moved income tax rates from seven percent to five percent during the next few years.  Greer Senator Verne Smith, a Republican, says there is no other clear way to save Medicaid programs from cuts. Smith says without the increase, costs will be shifted to paying patients.  But West Columbia Senator Jake Knotts, a Republican, says the state is throwing money into a wasteful program.  Sanford's tax plan could re-emerge next week as the Senate continues the longest budget debate in years. » Find More Articles Related To This One » Search The Internet For More On This Topic Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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