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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The Senate is taking up debate on $488 million in budget cuts that carve into health care and college budgets.

The Senate is expected to approve the changes in the state's $7 billion budget by Thursday afternoon.

The state's sales tax collections stalled as soon as the budget took effect in July. That's forcing university and technical colleges alone to take $123 million in cuts. But other programs dealing with the state's most vulnerable residents are hurt, too.

Craig Stoxen of the South Carolina Autism Society says a program that uses intense therapy to get autistic children ready for first grade probably will stop enrolling newcomers.

Final approval of the bill is expected on Friday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)