state budget

South Carolina lawmakers wasted little time returning more than $150 million in local projects into the state budget after the governor removed the items through his vetoes last week.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster wants lawmakers to cut more than $150 million in spending on local projects out of the state budget, even choosing some of his own priorities to make a point.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 22, 2021, we dig into the $11 billion state budget heading to Gov. Henry McMaster's desk this week, speak with state Rep. Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington) about the problems facing the SC Department of Juvenile Justice, learn about getting vaccinated while pregnant, and much more.

South Carolina's nearly $11 billion budget was sent to Gov. Henry McMaster's desk on Monday as lawmakers cut close the deadline to get the spending plan in place before it begins July 1.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 19, 2021, we look at the finalized state budget SC lawmakers agreed to this week, take the pulse of the Palmetto State's economic recovery, hear the latest on the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, and more.

South Carolina lawmakers have agreed to a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the state's more than $10 billion budget. The Post and Courier reports that members of a conference committee voted Thursday to approve the $10.7 billion spending plan for the upcoming year. State employees, teachers and law enforcement officers will all see pay bumps in this budget.

South Carolina lawmakers are hammering out differences between the House and Senate versions of the state's nearly $11 billion budget ahead of the new fiscal year next month.

The South Carolina House has put its final touches on the state's nearly $11 billion budget. The spending plan for the year starting in July includes raises for teachers, law enforcement officers and nearly every state employee. It fixes buildings at colleges and helps art centers and festivals hurt by social distancing. But it won't include million-dollar drawings for people who are vaccinated against COVID-19. Nor it will have a $1,200 pandemic bonus for state employees making under $50,000. The Senate decided Tuesday it would not agree with the House changes to the budget, so a conference committee of senators and House members will meet next week to finalize the plan.

The House committee that writes South Carolina's budget is setting aside $23 million to the state spending plan to buy a convent that includes waterfront land on Charleston Harbor. The House Ways and Means Committee approved putting the money into the spending plan as they sent the $10.7 billion budget to the House floor for debate starting Tuesday. The 23 acres is owned by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. It includes 750 feet of land on Charleston Harbor. The House plan would have the Department of Natural Resources buy the land and rent the buildings. The site could be used for weddings, educational field trips, conferences and for walking and bicycling on trails.

The state spending plan heading to the South Carolina House floor next week offers state employees a 3% raise and teachers a $1,000 bump in pay.