SC Budget

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The Senate Finance Committee has unanimously advanced a budget that provides higher raises to state workers, pays for long-deferred maintenance at all public colleges and spends more money on special needs students. The committee voted unanimously late Wednesday to send the 2012-13 state spending plan to the Senate floor. It provides 3 percent raises to most state employees, 5 percent raises to state law enforcement officers, and 2 percent raises to teachers statewide. The plan also covers the rise in employees’ health insurance premiums. The House plan passed in March gave 2 percent raises to most, while providing a waiver for school districts that didn’t get enough to provide the raises. The plan includes $36 million for special needs students to prevent further federal penalties.