House gives final approval to budget

COLUMBIA — The House gave final approval Thursday to a $7.2 billion budget that includes a slight raise for state workers and more money for public schools.

The spending plan also includes $1 million for a rural infrastructure development program.

The budget cuts spending by more than 4 percent and relies on reserve cash.

The final action Thursday sends the budget to the Senate for debate in April.

Gov. Mark Sanford wanted the Legislature to make deeper spending cuts to ward off the effects of what he expects will be a deep recession.