Senate passes measure to keep government running

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — With the chambers deadlocked over a budget compromise, the South Carolina Senate has approved a measure preventing a government shutdown.

The Senate voted 35-2 Monday on a resolution keeping government running at current levels if there’s no budget when the fiscal year starts Sunday. It’s a scenario that seems increasingly likely.

The budget conference committee recessed Monday afternoon further apart than last week.

The resolution requires another vote in the Senate to become law. The House passed it last week. But it likely will be amended and returned to the House.

That’s because the budget compromise rests on the details on any agreed-to tax cut being tacked on to the resolution.

The impasse is over the amount and method of giving a tax break to small business owners.