SC State House eliminating budget earmarks

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Lawmakers at the State House say they are looking to eliminating budget earmarks, or one-time spending for “pet projects” in individual legislators’ districts in the budget proposal.

In a joint statement from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Harvey Peeler and House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister they agreed to “focus on what should be every member’s top priority, tax reform.”

The spending plan sets aside enough money to bring the state’s top income tax rate to 6% from 6.2%.

The Senate Finance Committee’s $14.4 billion spending plan now goes to the full Senate starting April 22.