(Columbia-AP) April 18, 2003 - State Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum is applauding a Senate committee's work to find funding for schools. Car buyers would pay higher taxes under a plan approved by a Senate committee Thursday.

Tenenbaum says the Senate Finance Committee's plan to eliminated tax breaks for car sales and manufacturing equipment is creative thinking during the budget crisis.

The committee says lifting the $300 tax cap on car sales would generate about $93 million to help pay for education. The plan would raise the tax cap to $2500. That mean anyone who buys a vehicle that costs $50,000 or less would pay the state five percent sales tax.

The committee also eliminated a tax break on manufacturing equipment, which would raise about $53 million.

Senators say the two changes would help cover payroll for most teachers who face losing their jobs because of budget cuts. Education officials estimate about 6600 teachers could be cut next year.

updated 8:17am by Chris Rees