News
PRESS RELEASE: State Budget Passes House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2008 State Budget Passes House Under Cooper's Leadership, Spending Plan Passes Unanimously (Columbia, SC) -- Today, by the largest unanimous vote on a budget in state history, the House voted to approve the fiscal year 2008-2009 spending plan. This year's budget cuts government growth by 4 1/2 percent compared to last year's budget. Since Republicans have been writing the state budget, government growth has been held to an average of 4 percent a year. The budget was drafted by the House Ways and Means Committee, which is led by Chairman Dan Cooper of Piedmont. Cooper also led the budget debate on the House floor. "This balanced budget fully funds education and healthcare while cutting government spending instead of raising taxes to meet the appetite of government," Cooper said. "In the midst of a nation-wide economic slow down, the House rejected efforts to raise taxes and instead funded key areas of government while cutting others," said House Speaker Bobby Harrell. "I am pleased to see the House pass a budget that addresses our state's educational priorities, our health care concerns, and focuses on key economic development tools needed to grow our state's economy." The $7.2 billion budget fully funds public schools and college scholarships, gives state employees a pay raise, fully funds healthcare, reduces the number of annualizations, and increases the number of troopers patrolling South Carolina's roads. "This budget cuts government while still funding our highest priorities," Cooper said. "We start this budget process months in advance and every dollar we spend is scrutinized at many levels. This is a good budget that meets the needs of our state while still holding true to conservative principles." The budget now heads to the Senate and a final state budget should be completed in May or June. ###
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