COLUMBIA -Gov. Mark Sanford surprised Rep. Billy Witherspoon last week by vetoing a bill that would have required hunters to wear a piece of blaze orange clothing.

Witherspoon, R-Conway, got the bill passed this year with the help of his new status as chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Previous attempts had failed.

Usually opposed to measures that affect personal choice, Witherspoon is pursuing the law at the request of a constituent whose teenage son killed his brother in a hunting mishap.

After passing the House with some wide-ranging discussion of hunting attire, the bill passed the Senate fairly easily. Then, it hit Sanford's desk with a clunk.

"The governor felt it was an unnecessary infringement on personal liberty," said Will Folks, Sanford's spokesman.

Witherspoon, a supporter of Sanford during his campaign last year, said he wasn't mad but hoped to get enough votes to override the veto.

He put off consideration of overriding the veto, which takes a two-thirds majority, until May 28. He said he wanted to see what Sanford does with another of his bills, one that forbids counties from regulating farms. Sanford has hinted he will veto it, too.

Ashby Ward Highway

Horry County's House members got a resolution through last week naming the portion of the proposed Interstate 73 that runs through Horry County for Ashby Ward.

Ward, the president of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce for nearly 30 years, died earlier this month. He worked on many road issues, including serving on a regional I-73 committee in the 1990s with delegates from other states.

The bill went to the Senate, where a similar measure is also being considered.

Remapping

Attempts are still under way to draw new Senate district lines, which could help Horry and Georgetown counties get more representation.

A bill calling for redistricting was pulled out of a committee Thursday and put on the agenda for floor debate, though with objections.

Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, said there still are no maps, so there is nothing to discuss. Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, the Senate's leader, said he will not order maps to be drawn until there is more agreement among members about how new lines should run.

But putting the bill on the agenda nudges members to work on consensus, Hutto said.

Next week

The Senate debates the state budget on the floor and will do little else. Debate should be lively, with the Senate Finance Committee's proposal for a cigarette tax increase and other members saying they will push for a higher sales tax.

Either scenario, if adopted, sets up a fight with the House over the final version. The House refused to pass a cigarette tax increase.

The House will debate a volunteer nursing home ombudsman bill sought by the S.C. Silver Haired Legislature and possibly a prescription drug program urged by Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach.