South Carolina lawmakers clash over budget and First Steps fate
State leaders debate fully funding Medicaid pro rata and restoring 96 million in education cuts. They weigh preserving First Steps while Hodges exits, and consider highway maintenance funded by tax shifts or user fees. Lawmakers mull government restructuring and tighter campaign finance rules.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jim Hodges
Hodges
House
Budget gaps loom as Legislature opens session
State budget outlook shows a 2000-04 plan at 5.6 billion with a 30.7 million shortfall after midyear cuts. Recurring expenses reach 255 million, education funding 70 million, Medicaid growth 100 million, and health plan costs about 358.6 million. Lt. Governor Andre Bauer will preside over the Senate after winning November 5.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ther
Iscal
Senate
Erncr
Andre Bauer
Bush pitches tax cut plan to bolster economy and fraud probes
President Bush urged Congress to approve an 842 million dollar 2004 SEC budget and 25 million for the Justice Department to expand corporate fraud investigations. He touted the tax cut plan and new funds as a response to shaken investor confidence and ongoing market jitters.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Bush
Congress
Securities and Exchange Commission
SEC
Justice Department
FBI
White House
New Mexico
Bill Richardson
Clinton
Also Mentioned on This Page
Leatherman
Enate
John Land
Manning
Education Department
Land
James Smith
Mark Sanford
Rick Quinn
R. Solumbia
First Steps
Ways and Means
Bobby Harrell
Charleston
Yong
Sanford
David Wilkins
Smith
Loages
Santore
Avenue Expected Board of Economic Aawsers
Bilion
The
Associated Press
Craig Heat
Scott Heath
Kellog
University Parkway
Aiken, SC
Aiken Hospital
Kroger
Silver Bluff
ACCP
Aiken Municipal Conference Center
Fred Kotoske
Area Health and Human Services Collaboratives
Aiken County