(AP) -- South Carolina legislators have agreed to a $6 billion state budget plan that cuts Medicaid spending and gives businesses an unemployment tax break.
The House approved the proposed compromise with a 57-54 vote Wednesday and the Senate followed hours later with a 24-17 vote.
The measure now heads to Gov. Nikki Haley, who can use a line-item veto if she chooses.
The spending proposal locks in reductions in state Medicaid spending that include reducing payments to doctors and hospitals by at least $125 million. Critics say that threatens jobs and care for the elderly, disabled and poor.
The proposed budget also gives $146 million to businesses that complained their unemployment taxes were too high.
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