"Today is all about sending a clear message that this administration is serious about encouraging more adoptions in our state, and that getting those adoptions finalized more quickly is a priority." Sanford said.

The governor was joined by members of the S.C. Department of Social Services, as well as several children aided by its current adoption program.

Friday's announcement was the first specific numbers to come out of Sanford's office regarding his upcoming budget, and it also marked a nice change for DSS, which has taken a series of budget hits in recent years.

Since mid-2001, the department's budget has been cut by almost 30 percent, down from $126 million in 2001-02 to $89 million this fiscal year. The agency has lost 1,300 employees in the last 18 months, 700 since January.

Adoption incentive pay is a one-time payment meant to help parents cover the fees associated with the process. Currently, parents receive $250. The change announced Friday would bring the total back to what it was before being cut during Gov. Jim Hodges' administration.

"This is to recognize the power and importance of the adoption process," Sanford said. "Not only to the children and the parents, but to the state of South Carolina."

There are some 1,300 children in the adoption process in South Carolina, and DSS Director Kim Aydlette said there are only 330 families certified to adopt.

"So you can see, we need more families, we need more good families," Aydlette said. "And this is an important step in making that happen."

Since taking over DSS in January, Aydlette has pushed through several reforms meant to streamline and expedite adoptions, including: unifying the certification process for adoptive and foster families; working with faith-based groups to recruit foster families; and working with court administration to identify ways to speed up the termination of parental rights.

Steve Hurley of Charleston said the increase in adoption incentive pay is a major accomplishment.

Hurley and his wife, Julie, have taken in 157 children in the last 21 years.

They have adopted four boys and are in the process of adopting twin 22-month-old girls.

Hurley owns Corporate Cleaners, a local janitorial service, and while not rich, he is doing OK financially. He is saving up to pay for the adoption of the twins, and he said other people are not so lucky.

"I can't tell you the number of times I have heard someone say, 'I want to adopt, but I can't afford it,' " he says. "It's sad."

Also Friday, Sanford instructed all state agencies to permit state-employed foster parents to use sick leave when caring for their sick children. Under the previous policy, most foster parents were required to take annual leave for that purpose.

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