Sanford's proposed budget cuts jobs

COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford released a lean and balanced $5.1 billion budget proposal Thursday that includes the closing of more than 15 state agencies and the loss of an estimated 1,300 jobs.

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The closings and additional restructuring will save the state about $26 million, according to the proposed budget, which reflects the governor's push for a more streamlined and efficient government in light of projected revenue shortfalls of more than $500 million this year.

Mr. Sanford's plan calls for all state agencies to reduce phone and travel expenses by 15 percent, for an estimated savings of $12.3 million. The plan would generate $31.7 million through the sale of nonessential state property and the reduced use of one-time money to fund recurring expenses.

"We need to get out of that business," he said of the state's travel budget. "With the loss of cars, some people will lose their jobs, but in the process of restructuring, that is an inevitable part of it."

Some legislators welcomed Mr. Sanford's balanced budget, which they said they'd never received from Democratic former Gov. Jim Hodges, while some agency heads expressed disappointment in his choices.

"He gave us a real, legitimate budget to work from," said Rep. Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston and Dorchester counties and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. "This is refreshing."

The governor answered the concerns of many legislators by budgeting $140 million toward Medicaid to replace most of the one-time relief money the federal government gave to the state last year. The money goes to help the poor pay for health care.

Education Department Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, a Democrat who's running for the U.S. Senate, wasn't as pleased with Mr. Sanford's plans.

Among other education funds taken out of specific programs and applied to the amount the state pays to educate each public school pupil, the governor took $22 million out of the National Board Certification program, which gives pay increases and training to exceptional teachers.

However, even with this rearrangement of the department's finances, the state will be spending $1,810 per year on each pupil, when it needs to be at the national standard of $2,234, Mrs. Tenenbaum said.

"It's an inadequate budget," she said.

Rep. Roland Smith, R-Langley, who heads the House Ways and Means Committee subcommittee on K-12 education, said the budget would have to be retooled until it met the federal pupil standards.

"That's peanuts compared to where we need to get," he said of the $1,810. "We have a lot of work to do."

One of Mr. Sanford's customary critics, state Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Clearwater, welcomed the budget plan.

"It's late, but nevertheless it's timely enough," he said. "We're in desperate economic straits in this state, and any and all recommendations are welcome."

Reach Josh Gelinas at (803) 279-6895 or josh.gelinas@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Friday, January 9, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle