Legislature nixes veto to defund Arts Commission

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s Legislature has voted to spare the Arts Commission from being shuttered by a budget veto issued by Republican Gov. Nikki Haley.

Override advocates said Haley’s veto would cut off state support for arts in public schools around the state.

The House voted 105-8 to override Wednesday as it worked through 34 vetoes totaling $105 million. The Senate followed later with a 32-6 vote.

Haley says the Arts Commission should be able to get along on private funds. But commission executive director Ken May said there would be no commission left if the veto cutting $3.6 million stood.

May said he was relieved and happy that his agency was spared.

The state’s $6 billion spending plan takes effect Friday.