COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) - South Carolina lawmakers passed a $14.7 billion state budget that covers a wide range of priorities, from roads and disaster relief, to pay raises for teachers, state employees, and even lawmakers.
Legislators returned to the State House to review the final version of the budget. It was shaped by a Conference Committee, a small committee of three Senators and three Representatives, who worked through compromises last week. But there’s something different this year: despite having an extra $1 billion, there will be no money going to fund local community projects.
"Putting the brakes on earmarks is not easy... at least every single one of you is concerned about no earmarks but it has to be done… has to be done. It's gotten out of hand," Senator Harvey Peeler (R - Ch