Morning Buzz: Key budget and roadwork debates start, police body cameras get hearing, Ben Carson visits
Senate budget writers begin debate
As the Senate Finance committee begins debate on the budget Wednesday, Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman wants to try to borrow money to pay for state building projects. This comes on the heels of the House’s rejection month last of a $500 million borrowing bill. Senators also will decide a number of spending issues, including whether to give more money to K-12 schools, give state workers a pay increase and hire more Social Services child-welfare workers.
House to tackle roads funding
The House is expected to debate a bill Wednesday that would generate $400 million annually for roadwork. It also cuts most taxpayers’ income taxes by $48 yearly. A bill up for debate in the Senate would generate roughly $800 million annually for roadwork but doesn’t address income taxes. South Carolina’s business leaders say legislators must pass a bill in the coming weeks that raises at least $600 million additional yearly for road and bridge work.
Police body camera hearing held amid growing support
South Carolina senators will have a hearing Wednesday on a bill that would require all police officers statewide to wear clip-on body cameras after a bystander shot a video of a North Charleston police officer fatally shooting an unarmed man. Equipping officers with body-worn cameras has the support from top politicians, including Gov. Nikki Haley, and state police and legal groups, including the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers' Association, S.C. Sheriffs’ Association and S.C. Bar.
Ben Carson travels to Columbia
Ben Carson, who will decide May 4 about running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, will make his first visit to South Carolina since forming a White House exploratory committee in March. The Florida retired neurosurgeon will speak at a federal balanced budget amendment rally at noon Wednesday at the State House. Carson also will meet with GOP House Caucus members for lunch.
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This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 2:05 AM with the headline "Morning Buzz: Key budget and roadwork debates start, police body cameras get hearing, Ben Carson visits."