SC government restructuring bill dies in Senate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A government restructuring bill that is the cornerstone of Gov. Nikki Haley’s agenda is dead for the year.

The House voted 65-35 on Thursday on a compromise approved by a panel of House and Senate members. But following hours of debate, it died in the Senate without a vote as the special session ended at 5 p.m.

Opponents complain the proposal was restructuring in name only.

Supporters say it gave the governor’s office control of day-to-day functions of government to make it run more efficiently.

The compromise divided the duties and budget of the Budget and Control Board between several new agencies. Most employees would have transferred to the new Cabinet-level Department of Administration. That gave the governor control of functions such as computer technology, and fleet and property management.