COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- 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.
The Senate gave the budget final approval Thursday evening on a 27-10 vote, sending its plan back to the House.
Approval came after senators defeated attempts by some Republicans to remove roughly $4 million for private nonprofits and local public projects. Items included $300,000 for a North Myrtle Beach museum and $100,000 for a fire station in Andrews.
Democratic senators trumped the amendment by adding dozens of items. The Senate then killed the whole thing.
The Senate also approved by 27-9 a separate measure distributing $105 million from this year's rainy-day fund.
The general fund represents one-third of the total state budget, which is more than $20 billion.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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