Headlines from the State Capitol (click here for a summary of Wednesday’s schedule):
–The House Ways & Means Committee began drafting next year’s budget Tuesday. Before doing so, Republicans on the committee voted to suspend a law requiring 4.5 percent of the state’s General Fund to go to local governments. House leaders say it does not appear the state will have enough money.
–The committee also voted to set up a special fund that will help fund the Charleston harbor dredging. The state is responsible for paying 60 percent of the project, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responsible for the rest. The Corps is currently in the first year of a feasibility study.
–The Senate passed a bill by Sen. Mike Rose (R-Summerville) that would require the Department of Transportation to maintain an online register all of its transactions. DOT caught flak over the summer when it was revealed the agency was struggling to pay its contractors on time. Transportation officials admitted starting too many projects without settling cash-flow issues. The bill now heads to the House.










