As the South Carolina House started working Tuesday on next year's state budget, new details were coming to light about the proposed Palmetto Bowl football game that's part of the budget. Initial reports were that starting the new bowl game in Charleston would cost the state $700,000. Now, House Ways and Means Chairman Bobby Harrell says it'll take $380,000 a year of state tax money for 15 years.

Local governments in Charleston would have to put up $320,000 a year. The money would expand the seating capacity at The Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium.

According to athletics director Les Robinson, the stadium now seats about 20,000 people. The NCAA requires seating for at least 35,000 to host a bowl, according to Robinson.

Rep. Harrell, a Charleston Republican, says, "We shouldn't be in the business of building it hoping they'll come. Nor should we be in the business of just spending the money without some anticipation that it's going to generate something back for the state. In this case, this $380,000, or total of $700,000 of total tax dollars, local and state combined, will generate $48 million a year of impact on our economy. That is huge. It would be a shame for us to not make this investment and lose this opportunity."

That money would come from the fans who travel to the game and stay in hotels, eat in restaurants and shop. The game would feature a team from the ACC, which means thousands of fans within driving distance.

He brought to the House chamber a letter from ESPN to show to lawmakers worried about the network's commitment to sponsoring and airing the proposed Palmetto Bowl. The letter confirms the network's interest, and that the bowl hinges on expanding the seating at Johnson Hagood stadium.

So why have the bowl game in Charleston, if there's not a suitable stadium already there? Why not have it in Columbia at Williams-Brice stadium? Rep. Harrell says it's because in 2001, USC rejected the opportunity to have the Aloha Bowl move from Hawaii to Williams-Brice. He says Charleston would also make a more desirable destination for fans in December.

Even though more details are coming out about the proposal, skeptics still haven't heard enough. House Democratic leader Rep. James Smith, D-Columbia, says, "I'm concerned that this is a down-payment on a huge, multi-million dollar commitment for the state when there are a host of other questions to determine whether it's worthwhile."

The House debate over the budget is expected to last all week.