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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A House panel has approved plans to merge the state Museum Commission and the Arts Commission into the state's parks agency.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Cooper said Tuesday the move will save about $500,000. The measure now moves to the House floor for debate.

The reduced spending would come from a combination of savings on rent and utilities as well as cutting management jobs.

The $5.3 billion spending plan the House approved last month called for merging the two agencies into the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Gov. Nikki Haley has told lawmakers that no more taxpayer money should go into the Arts Commission.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)