Issue of abortion coverage resolved

Lawmakers overturned a ban on abortion coverage under state insurance coverage included in the budget late Tuesday, approving exemptions in cases of rape, incest or a threat to the mother's life.

The original draft of the $5.1 billion spending plan would have banned state insurance from covering any abortion procedure, but Democrats pushed for the change during an emotional floor debate. The measure narrowly passed by a 57-54 vote.

"This is an issue that is larger than us," said Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Bamberg. "Don't vote on this because you want to be the next governor. Don't vote on this because you want some political favors. Vote on this because it's in your heart."

But others argued against the coverage, and that allowing such procedures was unfair.

"We live in a civilized society," argued Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester. "We do not kill children for what their fathers do. We don't execute victims. That's all we're saying: The state insurance plan shouldn't pay to execute victims."

Rep. Wendy Nanney, R-Greenville, made an impassioned plea that every child was a gift from God, and that no mother is given the right to end that life.

But it was Rep. Lester Branham, D-Florence and a retired minister, who seemed to sway lawmakers in his hushed tone during a trip to the podium.

"Some things are put on God's shoulders that are not God's. They're our sins, our crimes," Branham said. "That act of impregnating a girl against her will is not a gift of God. It's a crime."

Budget debate slowed frequently on Tuesday, as lawmakers spent hours debating changes in the spending plan and accused each other of political showboating.

Among the most contentious items was a proposal from Lexington Rep. Nikki Haley, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor, to require school districts to spend at least 70 percent of their funds on classroom expenses. Opponents said the change was a feel-good measure that would have little effect.

Haley's proposal would raise the current requirements on "instruction, instructional support and non-instructional pupil services" spending from 65 percent in order for school districts to qualify for more flexibility to spend state funds while dealing with budget cuts.

South Carolina's schools rank among the nation's worst, Haley said, because of how school districts spend money.

But during the more than two hours of debate on the amendment, opponents said the measure would change nothing.

Rep. James Smith, D-Richland, said State Department of Education figures show nearly 87 percent of money is spent on instruction. Others said school districts could categorize spending so they met the requirements.

"It won't do anything," Rep. Kris Crawford, R-Florence said.

Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Laurens and candidate for the U.S. House, introduced an amendment that would require schools to purchase school textbooks that include, but are not limited to, Columbus' discovery of America, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the American Revolution.

But Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston, pointed out Duncan's amendment would bar the state from purchasing a South Carolina history textbook if it did not include those items. Ways and Means chairman Dan Cooper, R-Anderson, noted money to purchase textbooks had been removed from the budget.

Lawmakers adjourned Tuesday evening with more than 90 amendments remaining, including whether to raise the nation's lowest cigarette tax, repealing portions a 2006 property tax relief law and raising hundreds of millions by repealing sales tax exemptions.

The House will continue budget debate this morning.