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| Governor Holds Budget Meetings |
| (Columbia-AP) -- One week after completing
vetoes to the state budget that takes effect in July, Governor Mark
Sanford began a series of hearings Tuesday to get input from
agencies on the 2004-2005 state budget. Sanford plans to meet with agency directors and staff throughout the summer. By starting the budget process early, Sanford hopes to better understand the needs and priorities of agencies. The budget process begins when the governor submits a proposal to the General Assembly in December. Lawmakers usually accept the proposal as a formality, but then set it aside to craft their own version. Legislators spend months on the budget before finishing by the end of the session in June. The final document is sent to the governor to approve or veto portions. Sanford met Tuesday with officials from the departments of Parks,Recreation and Tourism; Revenue; and Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. The hearings will continue Wednesday when Sanford meets with officials from the departments of Corrections; Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Juvenile Justice. |