THE BUZZ

“The property owners are not going to be in the lobby, but the people who have a line item in the budget are going to be packed in the lobby.”

— Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, arguing that Senate debate on property tax changes should not be pushed back to May 2 because the money needs to be included in the budget, which members will take up this week

CLOSING TIME

There were plenty of bad analogies and misplaced modifiers during Senate debate on property taxes last week, but, as always, there was a special place for Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington.

Knotts put the debate into terms everyone could understand when he turned the State House into group therapy.

As the Senate searched for a compromise, Knotts said that body was like someone leaving a club at 2 a.m., looking for someone — anyone — to go home with.

Considering some of the special-interest legislation already passed this year — billboard bill, anyone? — The Buzz thinks the Senate already has found a few friends it likes.

I’LL RAISE YOU

Remaining on the subject of the “people’s senator,” The Buzz especially liked Sen. Knotts’ explanation of the “blame-and-shame” game being played around the state.

In that game, Knotts said, local governments raise taxes but blame state government for forcing them into said tax hike.

The Buzz wondered how that game worked when Knotts spoke at a public hearing in Lexington County last year, advocating a tax increase to pay for new recreation programs.

County Council voted to approve that $17 million bond issue, first recommended by recreation commissioners appointed by Knotts and other state lawmakers from Lexington.

OUT TO LUNCH

In all the theatrics surrounding the Senate debate on property taxes, The Buzz only could wonder about the impact missing Finance Committee chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, might have had on the talks.

With the power of the purse at his side, The Buzz was curious whose shoulder Leatherman would have “laid his hand upon,” as he is fond of saying. But Leatherman was out of town on personal business.

With the budget likely gone by the time property taxes comes back up again, The Buzz rues the missed opportunity.

WAKE ’EM UP

Lest readers think the House was on vacation last week, House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Charleston, provided an apt quip about the ongoing legislative debate in the Senate.

Asked about frustrations when the Senate sits on items important to the House, Merrill noted the Senate’s much-cherished view of itself as the more meditative, deliberative chamber.

“There’s a difference between deliberative and catatonic,” Merrill joked.

ON THE AIR

The Galivants Ferry Stump Speaking, set for May 1, goes national this year.

C-Span, the public service television network, is set to televise the entire event on a future broadcast of its “Road to the White House” series, which airs at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Sundays.

The keynote speaker will be U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., a potential Democratic presidential candidate. He will be introduced by his old friend, retired U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C.

Tonight, the program will show remarks by U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., speaking at the S.C. Republican Convention earlier this month.

• AT THE STATE HOUSE

Some ways to influence lawmakers this week:

TUESDAY

• THE HOUSE convenes at noon. At 2:30 p.m., 433 Blatt Building, Education and Public Works Committee discusses financial literacy requirements.

• THE SENATE convenes at 10 a.m. Budget debate.

WEDNESDAY

• THE HOUSE convenes at 10 a.m. About 1½ hours after House adjourns, 521 Blatt Building, Ways and Means Committee considers tax credits for hybrid vehicles.

• THE SENATE convenes at 10 a.m. Budget debate.

THURSDAY

• THE HOUSE convenes at 10 a.m. At 9 a.m., 511 Blatt Building, a Judiciary subcommittee discusses minors’ use of cell phones while driving.

• • THE SENATE convenes at 10 a.m. Budget debate.

MORE MEETINGS

• Go to http://www.scstatehouse.net/ for a list of meetings.

LAST WEEK

PROPERTY TAXES: The Senate adjourned without reaching an agreement on how to give property tax relief. In their sixth day of floor debate on the issue, senators finally approved a template to work from. But they still are far from agreement. Following a Senate huddle Thursday evening, President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, took the podium to postpone the debate. The Senate will take up the budget next week and return to property taxes May 2.

HEART CENTER: The House approved a bill that trumps state health department regulators and would allow a new heart surgery center at Lexington Medical Center. The administrative law measure was amended in the Senate to include the allowance, which the House agreed to. Now the legislation is on its way to Gov. Mark Sanford, who has not indicated whether he will sign or veto it.

SEX OFFENDERS: State representatives said they plan to consider a bill already approved by senators that would allow some sex offenders to be put to death. House approval is seemingly the last step before the bill, which already has the support of state Attorney General Henry McMaster and Gov. Mark Sanford, could become law.

INMATE RIGHTS: A bill that would restore some inmates’ ability to attend a relative’s funeral is heading to the Senate floor. The measure would allow inmates in minimum security prisons who have earned “good” status to attend the funeral or viewing of a parent, sibling, spouse, child, grandparent or grandchild.

TAX BREAKS: Moviemakers would see some tax breaks double for bringing their film productions to South Carolina under legislation that is heading to the House floor for debate. The legislation, pushed mostly by Charleston-area lawmakers, would increase the state’s rebate on film wages and in-state production expenses to 30 percent from 15 percent. The legislation also broadens the break to include television series produced in the state.

TO LEARN MORE

• YGA Today, midday news from inside the State House, is updated several times each legislative day at http://www.thestate.com/.

WHAT THEY MAKE

• Go to http://www.thestate.com/ for an updated, searchable list of salaries for state employees earning more than $50,000 a year.