Barring an unexpected economic boost, Gov. Mark Sanford fears midyear cuts to the state budget are on the horizon.

Sanford, taking questions on live television Thursday in a program sponsored by the S.C. Cable Television Association, said "both the national, and particularly in our state, the economy has faltered."

Sanford did not have specifics of how deep the cuts might be or when they might occur. If state officials determine that the taxes and other revenues the state brings in are not keeping up with expectations, state spending will have to be reduced to keep the state's books balanced.

The new fiscal year began July 1. Revenue figures for the month were not immediately available.

The most likely way to reduce spending would be an across-the-board cut to reduce every state agency's funding. State agencies have already suffered through three years of cuts, with some agencies seeing total reductions of up to 40 percent.

Sanford's statements were in response to an e-mail question from a viewer wanting to know why the state continues to have a sales-tax holiday weekend if tax revenues are hurting.

On one weekend each year, consumers can purchase goods without paying the 5 percent state sales tax. The idea was implemented under former Gov. Jim Hodges. Sanford, who defeated Hodges in November, thinks the program is a bad idea.

"I think frankly it's a political gimmick," Sanford said.

Sanford dealt with questions about driver's licenses for immigrants, motorcycle helmet laws, his trip to Bermuda during budget negotiations this spring and the future of the SilverCard prescription drug program.

If Sanford had a ready answer, he gave it. Otherwise, he urged the caller to contact his office for more information. A caller from Columbia wanted to know Sanford's plans for dealing with Head Start money should Congress approve a new funding plan.

Sanford professed he had not been paying attention to the federal debate. "Call in to our office tomorrow, and brief me on it," Sanford said.

An e-mail question dealt with why the state forces people to wear seat belts in cars but doesn't force bikers to wear helmets.

Sanford said that there are lots of contradictions in politics, but in this case, he'd lean toward the "freedom side."

"People should have the freedom to do things that are inherently stupid," Sanford said.

The governor did not always agree with those asking the question. One e-mail question asked if Sanford would push for a law banning political campaigning from outside polling places.

Sanford said he would not favor such a thing. "I've stood outside the Hanahan precinct myself," he said. "I think there's a real value to that human interchange."

From another caller, he hoped to glean answers to the difficult problem of funding Medicaid. The caller, from Greenville, asked if someone "had a possible solution for funding Medicaid, where do they start?"

Sanford was eager. "You can start right here," he said. "Go for it."

The woman's idea was to use lottery money to fund the health-care program that cares for children, the elderly and the poor. The state constitution, however, requires that lottery money fund education programs.

In addition to the TV appearance, Sanford is still communicating directly with the public with his monthly "Open Door After 4" events.

Reach Gould Sheinin at (803) 771-8658 or asheinin@thestate.com.