Across South Carolina

House sends Senate $5 billion budget plan

COLUMBIA --- The South Carolina House sent the Senate a $5 billion budget for the coming year on Thursday, after an all-night session that focused on abortion, cigarette taxes and a loan to a golf tournament.

The House approved the budget 64-52 as daylight filled the chamber, with a final vote minutes later. It was the House's first all-nighter in at least a decade.

The plan would raise the state's cigarette tax by 30 cents a pack to 37 cents. The money goes to a trust fund for Medicaid expenses, to be used starting in 2011-12. Legislators rejected repeated efforts to raise the tax more.

The budget is down from $7 billion two years ago. It allows state employee furloughs as a way of dealing with cuts. Layoffs are expected at many state agencies.

Family of firefighter killed in store is suing

CHARLESTON --- The family of the ninth firefighter killed in a furniture store fire has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

The suit was filed Wednesday by the family of Mark Kelsey who perished in the June 18, 2007, Sofa Super Store fire along with eight fellow Charleston firefighters.

Attorney Kevin Dean told The Post and Courier of Charleston the suit naming the store, its owners and three other defendants, was delayed until Kelsey's now 17-year-old son could participate. Kelsey's family has also settled with several other defendants. Families sued 30 defendants in all and have now settled with 20 for about $7.6 million.

Attorney Richard Rosen has said the store's owners have worked to ensure a similar tragedy never happens again.