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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Gov. Nikki Haley is demanding that South Carolina state senators cut more taxes.

The Republican governor said Tuesday the Senate needs to include in its 2012-13 spending plan a reduction in personal income taxes.

Haley criticized the Senate as the chamber opened floor debate on the Finance Committee's budget proposal.

Gov. Haley said, “The Senate has a choice today: in a $6.1 billion dollar budget, will they give 1.6% back in tax relief or spend it? This is not partisan. This is about responsibility - to the taxpayers and small businesses of this state. This is the taxpayers’ money, not the legislature’s.”

Haley says she appreciates that the plan incorporates a bill reducing taxes paid by small business owners. That four-year phase-in is expected to reduce revenue by $15 million next year. But Haley insists the Senate include a second tax-cutting bill. The bill as passed by the House last month doesn't take effect until 2013, but Haley says the $78 million should be set aside now.

“The budget is the ultimate expression of our priorities as a government, as a state,” said Gov. Haley. “It is time for us to show South Carolina – and everyone else – that in our state, jobs, the people and our businesses come first.”

Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman says the budget already includes $752 million in tax relief.

Click here to read the governor's letter to senators.

Click here to review the state budget chart presented by the governor in a Tuesday press conference.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)