Posted on Thu, May. 18, 2006

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Revenue estimate up as conference meets

“I’m still looking for an underground creek of money as opposed to Sen. McConnell’s river.”

— House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Cooper, R-Anderson, during the budget conference committee. Cooper was referring to stories in The State about Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, and spending on H.L. Hunley submarine projects.

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 campaign finance rules.

IN THE SENATE: Convenes at 11 a.m. At 10 a.m., 207 Gressette Building, a Judiciary subcommittee considers creating a statewide Crimestoppers council.

THE DAILY BUZZ

ON THE CLOCK

Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Horry, held a reluctant filibuster Wednesday on a bill changing common-law marriage rules.

Rankin was arguing that many people affected by the rules change, which would require more paperwork for a marriage to be legally recognized, would not be aware of how they might be affected.

After two hours of debate — the time required by rules before the Senate can end a filibuster with a three-fifths vote — Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, asked if the time had arrived.

“I’ve been watching the clock,” Rankin said. “We’ve been talking five minutes longer than we needed. Vote, folks. Please!”

An effort to force Rankin to stop talking failed. The Senate adjourned for the day. When senators reconvene today, Rankin still will hold the floor.

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 S.C. State Board of the Associated Marine Institute

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

State economists added another $180 million to current and future year revenue estimates as House and Senate members began working out a final budget agreement.

The expected boost by the state Board of Economic Advisors revised estimates upward for the second time this year, but the board said rising federal interest rates could send revenues plunging just as quickly as they have risen.

The new money could be a boon for House and Senate members as they haggle over differences in property tax relief ($117 million cost), gas tax relief ($100 million) and millions in local projects.

The new revenue was anticipated when the Senate crafted its plan. It put together a “wish list” of projects using some of the money. The rest would be sent to a reserve account. The House was banking on the new money when it added a three-month suspension of the state gasoline tax to its budget last week.

Gov. Mark Sanford challenged lawmakers — who have roughly $1 billion in increased revenue for this year and added projections for future years — to limit spending and refund or rebate the money to taxpayers.

Lawmakers hope to have a budget agreement next week, as long as the two bodies also can reach an agreement on statewide property tax relief.

PROPERTY TAX

The House amended its property tax proposal, opening up more options as House and Senate members try to work out a compromise.

Under the changes, portions of a state sales tax increase, such as 0.8 cents needed to cover school operations or 0.5 cents to cover county operations, could be added or withdrawn to reach a compromise.

The House bill would raise the state sales tax by two cents on the dollar, with the revenue paying about 85 percent of owner-occupied tax bills.

In addition, the House added language allowing more choice in how much to reduce the sales tax on groceries.

House and Senate negotiators have yet to be named but could meet as early as today.

COLLEGE DEGREES

Two state senators introduced legislation requiring the state’s constitutional officers to hold four-year college degrees.

Sens. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland, and Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, introduced the bill and said it was not aimed at anybody in particular.

Jackson and Knotts both are major supporters of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, a USC graduate. One of Bauer’s opponents in the June 13 Republican primary is Mike Campbell, a Columbia businessman who attended but didn’t graduate from USC.

The bill was sent to the Judiciary Committee. It is not expected to pass this year.

BEAR HUNTING

A bill adding a week to bear-hunting season in South Carolina’s mountains is all but dead for the year.

The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee declined to send the bill to the full Senate because of lingering disputes between hunters and mountain residents.

The committee is not scheduled to meet again this year. The current bear-hunting season is two weeks in late October.

In other news:

• A bill that clamps down on hog-dog fights and cockfighting in South Carolina has moved to the House floor. The House Judiciary Committee advanced a Senate bill closing loopholes in laws banning hog-dog fights. After much debate, committee members approved tacking on a House bill that strengthens penalties for cockfighting.

• A separate criminal offense for harming a fetus during a crime would be created under a bill sent to the House floor.