The 14th week of the legislative session:

STATE BUDGET: The Senate Finance Committee approved a $5.2 billion state spending plan Thursday that includes about $150 million in tax increases to shield schools from budget cuts. Those increases involve eliminating sales tax breaks. The current $300 cap on car sales would rise to $2,500, manufacturers would have to pay taxes on machinery they buy and seniors over age 85 would have to pay the state's full 5 percent sales tax. The bill now heads to the Senate floor for debate.

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LOTTERY PROFITS: Six weeks ago, the Board of Economic Advisors estimated the lottery would generate $181 million during the 2003-04 budget year. The lottery commission now says the games are expected to bring in at least $195 million, but the three-member BEA wasn't convinced Wednesday and refused to approve that amount. BEA Chairman John Rainey and board member Mark Kelley voted not to increase the estimate, saying the increase could be tied solely to the huge Powerball prize last December.

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IDENTITY THEFT: Consumers would get new tools to fight identity theft under a bill approved Wednesday by the Senate. The Consumer Identity Theft Protection Act would let consumers get free credit reports and legal help when they discover someone has fraudulently used their identification to get credit. The bill would require information about fraudulent accounts to be deleted from victims' reports. Credit card companies also would have to verify change of address requests. The bill heads to the House, where a similar Senate bill died last year.

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GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING: A state government restructuring proposal was announced Wednesday by the state's top Republicans. Under the proposal, the governor would appoint the secretary of state, education superintendent, treasurer and agriculture commissioner. The governor and lieutenant governor also would run on the same ticket. The South Carolina Government Restructuring Act also would give the governor greater flexibility to move Cabinet agency programs and functions from one department to another. It would greatly reduce the size of the Budget and Control Board, and create a Department of Administration as a Cabinet-level agency.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: People convicted of criminal domestic violence would face tougher penalties under a bill the Senate passed Tuesday. A first conviction of causing physical harm to a spouse or other household member would bring a fine of $500 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within 10 years brings the same penalty and a third offense could mean as much as three years in prison. When an abuser is convicted of using a weapon, the offender could spend up to 10 years in prison for the felony.

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EDUCATION RALLY: About 500 educators, parents and students gathered at the Statehouse on Wednesday, asking lawmakers to restore education funding. Senate budget writers on Thursday raised the sales tax cap on cars, generating a potential $93 million for public schools next fiscal year. Sen.s also agreed to eliminate a small sales tax break for people 85 and older, which would send $5.9 million more to public schools. The House version of the budget gives schools about $1,643 per student. The Senate version approved Thursday raises that to about $1,894.

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PORT SECURITY: A naval militia would be re-established in South Carolina under a bill the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Tuesday. A maritime security commission would oversee the militia and it would operate under the State Law Enforcement Division, according to the bill. The militia was created in 1892, but became part of the federal government in 1917 as the U.S. Naval Reserve. The new militia would protect ports as part of the state's homeland security efforts in cooperation with the Navy and Coast Guard. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.

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PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: A Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee approved a bill Tuesday that would lift restrictions for medications for mentally ill Medicaid recipients. Under the bill, those patients would not have to get approval for drugs needed to treat mental illness. Officials at the Health and Human Services Department said they were worried the change would increase costs for its prescription drug programs. Prescriptions for mental illness are the most expensive of all drugs it covers. But supporters of the bill say people with mental illness could become violent if they are not given the right medication.

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SANFORD'S CABINET: The Senate confirmed Robert M. Kerr as director of the state Health and Human Services Department on Tuesday. Kerr, 42, has served as chief financial officer at the department since 1999. He also has served as director of internal audit and compliance during his 17 years with the cabinet-level agency. The 1981 University of South Carolina graduate takes over an agency with a total budget of $3.7 billion. The department oversees Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor.