SC legislators return for special session

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Legislators are back in Columbia for a special session to try to finish their work.

The main issues left incomplete when the regular session ended June 7 are the budget, pension reform and government restructuring.

But legislators don’t seem to be in any rush to wrap up.

Conference committees of House and Senate members didn’t even meet Tuesday on the chambers’ differing budget and pension plans. House leaders have made a budget compromise contingent on the Senate agreeing to its bigger tax break for small business owners. A pension meeting has been called for Wednesday.

The fiscal year starts July 1. State law allows the governor five days, excluding Sunday, to issue any vetoes.

This week’s special session will cost taxpayers about $71,000 if legislators stay their normal three days.