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Gov. Mark Sanford offered thanks this morning to members of the General Assembly who supported his failed initiative to rebate state revenue to taxpayers.
The state Senate on Wednesday approved a 2006-07 budget that “grew state government by nearly $1 billion dollars without sending any new dollars back to the state's citizens, despite a recent report showing that over the past three years the state's revenues have grown the fifth-fastest in the country,” according to a Governor’s Office press.
A $6.5 billion budget that won final Senate approval during a late-night sessions would provide new school buses, more Highway Patrol personnel and increase public school funding by almost $250 million.
Sanford singled out 10 senators as “Taxpayer Heroes” for supporting his plan for $400 per family tax rebates.
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"These Senators really put their money where their mouths are when it comes
to keeping an eye on the taxpayers of this state," Sanford said.
Included were Sens. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson, who pushed for $250
million for rebates; Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee; John Hawkins, R-Spartanburg; and
Danny Verdin, R-Laurens.
Defenders in the bipartisan coalition that
supported the budget said it was a matter of meeting constituents needs.
“Some may call it a wish list, but for my district it’s a needs list,”
said Sen. Kent Williams, D-Marion.
Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, the
Finance Committee chairman, said the funding the proposed rebates would have
crippled essential programs.
(The Associated Press contributed to
this report.)