That is the same principle Gov. Mark Sanford has brought to the budgeting process again this year. Just as families must establish priorities for the things they think are necessary, the governor thinks state agencies must also establish priorities.
Sanford began his close examination of state agencies last year in an unprecedented round of budget hearings. This year's sessions began by examining the minute programs that can drain needed money from state government. For example, the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department director recounted efforts to privatize bait shops at parks and camp grounds, which cost his department money that could be use for a more important purpose.
It may seem like an ornery process, but it helps to establish priorities for the goods and services that South Carolinians consider important. State agencies provide services that someone has considered important at one time or another. But some aren't as important as others. The mid- and late-year budget hearings are a prelude ensuring that kindergarten through 12th grade education, health and public safety don't sustain additional and midyear budget cuts that severely diminishes their ability to provide services.
While South Carolina completed the fiscal year June 30 with its first surplus in three years, the health of the bank account will depend on an improving economy.
Living within the state's budget may mean using a less optimistic forecast from state economic advisors. For his part, the governor says he will continue to examine the more than 1,400 programs and services state government finances and the benefit citizens derive. Instead of across the board budget cuts, those far down the priority list will get less money, the same as it is with a family which lives within its means.
The future of budgeting in South Carolina must include department-by-department cuts and individual program cuts instead of across-the-board percentage cuts. In his examination of agencies this summer, Sanford has been bluntly truthful with a number of agency heads, mental health and ports authority to name just two.