A look at what went down at the State House:

FORECAST COULD PUMP UP BUDGET

A new state economic forecast this week could pump $100 million or more into the state’s $5.4 billion budget just as the House and Senate begin working out a final version of the state’s spending plan.

Traditionally, the Board of Economic Advisors’ last budget estimate of the year reflects the best guess of which direction tax collections are headed. Many are expecting the economic forecasters to say the state will have more tax money for the budget.

The Senate’s version of the budget already includes expectations that the state will generate about $150 million more than expected last fall.

HOUSE APPROVES ALLOWING LESS SCHOOL SPENDING

House Republicans pushed through a bill Wednesday allowing local school districts to put less money into schools just three days before a State House rally will call attention to state spending on schools.

The bill would mean local school districts won’t have to put as much money into school operations on a per-student basis next year as they did this year.

It comes at the same time as proposals for tax credits for private schooling and to move charter schools out of direct oversight by the Education Department and school districts.

SENATE PANEL APPROVES CHARTER SCHOOL BILL

A Senate subcommittee approved a bill Wednesday that would create a statewide charter school district, intended as a way to get around local school district opposition and streamlining approvals for charter schools.

Charter schools are publicly funded, but they don’t have to meet the same rules that regular public schools meet, including teacher standards.

The vote came after senators learned that a Virginia-based organization is offering $20 million for South Carolina’s charter schools if the Legislature approves the bill.

Gov. Mark Sanford’s co-chief of staff Tom Davis told a Senate Education subcommittee Wednesday that Dennis Bakke, president and chief executive of Imagine Schools, has pledged the money.

Bakke has personal connections to the Sanford administration. He and the governor are friends, and he is the son-in-law of Davis’ law partner. Bakke has a home on Fripp Island and lives in Washington, D.C., Davis said.

STATE RECOGNITION OF INDIAN TRIBES OK’D

The Legislature adopted new rules Wednesday that give the state power to officially recognize Indian tribes in South Carolina. Now begins the arduous task of determining which tribes to recognize.

The tribes who want to be recognized will have to submit historical information, birth certificates, school and census records or other items that prove a legitimate tribe exists.

American Indian leaders have said state recognition would mean cultural items such as pottery could be branded with a tribe’s name. State tribes also may be able to participate in federal programs.

POLICE CRASH BILL MOVES TO SENATE

The state’s laws on accident investigations related to police chases would be clarified under a House bill the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Tuesday.

The legislation stems from how Forest Acres police investigated an accident after a chase that left Beverly Meyers, 50, dead. A suspect fleeing police crashed into the car the Columbia woman was riding in May 27.

The bill would make it clear that similar accidents would be investigated by another police agency. It now heads to the Senate floor for debate.

FETAL RIGHTS BILL CLEARS COMMITTEE

A House bill giving the right to sue over the death of a fetus any time after conception in accidents and assaults is headed to the Senate floor. The Judiciary Committee approved the bill Tuesday.

The bill “expands the rights of the unborn,” said Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg.

Existing laws already provide that protection, Sen. Maggie Glover, D-Florence, said. “This bill just takes South Carolina to another level,” she said, opening the door to making women criminals for smoking or drinking alcohol.

BILL WOULD LIMIT GOVERNOR’S ABILITY TO CLEAR BOARDS

Governors wouldn’t be able to get rid of state boards like Santee Cooper or the Ports Authority and appoint their own nominees under a House bill that cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. The Senate previously passed similar legislation.

The bill considered Tuesday now goes further, requiring a review board to screen Santee Cooper board members for a range of qualifications similar to new rules governing who serves on the state Public Service Commission. Those standards require a minimum of a four-year college degree and experience in a field related to work on the board.