Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

Friday, May 25, 2012  The South Carolina Senate has approved a $6.6 billion spending plan that gives most state workers a 3 percent raise, distributes more money to public schools and hires more than 100 law enforcement officers.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012  The Senate voted 27-12 on second reading, though plenty of debate remains.

Tuesday, July 05, 2011  Educators say South Carolina's new budget adds money to classrooms and school buses and could ease problems in school schools around the state.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011  The House narrowly approved the compromise with a 57-54 vote Wednesday morning.  The Senate still has to approve the final compromise before it gets sent to the governor.

Monday, June 13, 2011  South Carolina legislators are resuming work on a compromise version of the state's proposed $6 billion general fund spending plan.

Wednesday, June 08, 2011  South Carolina lawmakers have met briefly to work out a compromise on a $6 billion general budget spending plan, but aren't ready to address plans to put more money into schools or tax breaks for businesses.

Thursday, June 02, 2011  South Carolina legislators are attempting to wrap up their work on the last day of the regular session.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011  South Carolina senators expect to take up a final spending bill that pays $110 million on college maintenance and a long list of other one-time expenses.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011  South Carolina lawmakers have three days left in their regular session and no hope of finishing key work before adjourning this week.   A brief visit to the Senate chamber by Gov. Haley touched off a heated exchange on the Senate floor Tuesday.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011  The S.C. Senate has approved the $6 billion general fund portion of the budget after nearly five weeks of debate.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011  Plans for the South Carolina Senate to resume debate on a $6 billion general budget spending plan have been sidetracked as legislators argue over how to handle a proposed sales tax collection break for online retailer Amazon.

Thursday, May 19, 2011  South Carolina senators are close to wrapping up debate on $6 billion general fund spending plan for the new fiscal year.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011  South Carolina's schools are in line to get $105 million to head off teacher furloughs and cuts. The state Senate added the money to the state's $6 billion general fund budget Wednesday after a daylong debate on the spending plan for the next fiscal year.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011  Lexington tea party activist Talbert Black said during a State House news conference Tuesday that lawmakers need to cut spending the same way families have cut back during the recession.  State senators resumed debate on the budget after the activists spoke.

Thursday, May 12, 2011  South Carolina legislators are getting good economic news as they wrap up debate on the state's $5.9 billion general budget spending plan that will give them $210 million more to decide how to handle.