Key points in Gov. Mark Sanford's first executive budget:
_ Raises and saves a combination of $344 million, mostly closing
the projected $350 million gap between expected revenues and
spending demands.
_ Asks agencies to cut 15 percent out of their travel, meals and
phone expenses. It also makes other targeted cuts and calls for
operational changes to save money to generate $82 million. The
Legislature is spared from cuts.
_ Generates $94 million from sales of surplus property, including
a Columbia Mental Health Department facility and nearly 6,200 cars
from the state's fleet.
_ Combines or eliminates agencies. The state, now with 87
agencies including colleges, would have 72, under Sanford's
proposal. The University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie, USC-Union
and the John de la Howe School all would be eliminated. Wil Lou Gray
Opportunity School and the School for the Deaf and Blind would
become part of the Education Department.
_ Raises the state's per-pupil spending by $67 to $1,810, partly
by using state lottery funds.
_ Cuts $4.6 million from the National Board Certification program
by barring new entrants. Teachers in the program would continue
receiving benefits.
_ Imposes higher fees on the insurance industry to replace the $3
million eliminated from the Insurance Department's budget.
_ Saves $1.4 million by turning over management of some state
parks, cabins and golf courses to private companies.
_ Cuts Clemson University's extension programs and redirects
money to agriculture-related programs. That would involve closing
urban extension offices and curtailing programs that help residents
with food
safety.