SC House sends budget safety net to Senate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The House has sent to the Senate a measure to keep government running at current levels if the chambers can’t finish a budget before the fiscal year starts July 1.

The House gave final approval Thursday to the continuing resolution. The Senate has yet to vote on it. A Senate Finance Committee meeting was canceled as floor debate continued.

A compromise on the chambers’ separate $6.6 billion spending plans is at a stalemate over a tax break for small business owners. The House plan contains a $60 million tax cut, while the Senate’s has only $15 million. The budget conference committee has not met since Monday.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman says budget conferees will meet Friday morning. The Senate could return in the afternoon if progress is made.