COLUMBIA --- A budget that eliminates every pork barrel project the House approved last month and cuts $50 million in overall spending was passed Thursday by a Senate committee worried about a souring economy.
The plan passed by the Senate Finance Committee also gives state workers a 2 percent raise, up from the 1 percent raise in the House budget, by using $20 million taken in a roundabout way from the state lottery.
The House cut most agency budgets outside of public schools and health care agencies by 2.4 percent, but the Senate Finance Committee's plan calls for average reductions of 3.6 percent, said Chairman Hugh Leatherman.
The cuts aren't spread evenly and "some of those were very, very deep cuts," said Mr. Leatherman, who wouldn't provide specifics.
The full Senate will consider the budget in two weeks. If the plan stands, it could set up some interesting political maneuvering next month when the House and Senate negotiate a final version. House members could end up having to publicly argue to restore money for local projects cut by senators, with all lawmakers running for re-election.
Revenue collections in South Carolina through February are already more than $50 million behind projections.
The Senate plan cut $20 million of the $30 million the House set aside in lottery money for research projects at Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina.
Instead, that money was used to cover college scholarships, freeing money elsewhere to give state workers a 2 percent raise.
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