Columbia’s “hot issue” is state budget

State lawmakers continue to work toward the passage of a new state budget. This afternoon Senator Thomas Alexander said amendments, such as on road funding, are standing in the way at this time. Resolved yesterday was a decision on whether the state accepts more than 300 thousand lower-income residents lacking health insurance. The Oconee-Pickens Republican cast his vote with the majority to table the Medicaid coverage amendment. The vote was 23-19