(Charleston-AP) Jan. 12, 2004 - Governor Mark Sanford's executive budget would cut money for the state's eight-horse caisson team which has been used in the funeral processions of former Senator Strom Thurmond, US Representative Floyd Spence and police officers killed in the line of duty.

Sanford proposes eliminating $100,000 for the unit. The volunteers who run it say they can't raise that much from donations. Steve Riggs, who heads the 15 volunteers, says it's hard to put a price on those who die protecting people.

Gubernatorial spokesman Will Folks says difficult decisions must be made when the state faces a $350 million shortfall for the coming year. Folks says Sanford has promised to help raise the money from private sources.

The money is used for feeding, boarding, transporting and outfitting costs.

posted 12:49pm by Chris Rees