South Carolina lawmakers expect fierce debate on $61M lottery tax windfall

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In South Carolina's nearly $9 billion budget, one small pile of $61 million is likely to get a lot more attention than any other when the House starts debating Monday.

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The money comes from income taxes the state should get after the Mega Millions lottery pays a lump sum of $878 million to the person who turned in the winning ticket days ago from last October's drawing.

The plan in the Republican-dominated House is to add $35 million to the lottery tax windfall and give each of South Carolina's 2 million income tax payers a $50 rebate check.

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Other lawmakers have different ideas for the money that serendipitously fell into their laps.

Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg proposes a 2 percent raise to all state workers making under $50,000.

Associated Press