Senate kills $236M borrowing package, but effort still alive

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate has killed a $237 million borrowing package on a technicality, but efforts to pass it remain alive.

Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster agreed Tuesday with Judiciary Chairman Larry Martin’s argument that the bonding portion was not sufficiently related to the rest of the spending bill.

The Senate refused by a 14-31 vote to override McMaster’s ruling. Three Democrats joined with the entire GOP caucus.

The move killed the portion of a spending bill that would have borrowed $15 million for National Guard armories and split the rest between the state’s 33 public colleges and technical schools.

Less than three hours later, the Senate Finance Committee revived the proposal as a stand-alone measure. It’s highly unlikely to pass this year, with just 11 days left in the session.