Sanford announces 22 budget vetoes

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The Republican governor also axed $321,949 for litter control, saying the campaign is already funded through court fines, $99,955 for the Commission on Women, and a "wish list" of items for various agencies to be used if the state receives any surplus revenue from the conversion of mutual insurance companies.

Sanford, who took office in January, also warned lawmakers that he wants to see more specific items listed in next year's budget or he will strike whole blocks in which objectionable items might be hidden. Lawmakers routinely link unrelated items in the budget or don't mention specific expenditures in an effort to shield them from vetoes.

"Forty-three other governors in this nation possess the authority to veto specific sections or items in appropriation bills, and we are heading down a path that severely undermines this authority in South Carolina," he wrote legislative leaders. "We cannot afford to alter this essential component of the balance of powers doctrine that is central to our constitutional form of government."

House Speaker David Wilkins said he understood Sanford's frustration but he does not expect great changes in the process.

"I suppose if you were governor you'd like every item lined individually so you could veto everything that you wanted to," he said. "Obviously things are going to be linked together and I think that practice will continue to some extent. I certainly understand where he was coming from."

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell agreed with Sanford's suggestion that lawmakers separate distinct budget items for scrutiny.

"I think it's possible and it's what we ought to do," he said.

Sanford's vetoes will leave $524 more in the $5.4 billion budget than when lawmakers left town.

Legislators will have to wait until January if they choose to override any of his vetoes because they were unable to agree during their regular session to return this month.

Rep. Kenneth Kennedy, a Williamsburg County Democrat who sits on the House budget-writing committee, said he saw nothing in Sanford's vetoes that would warrant a return.

"I don't see any significance in what he has done, really," he said.

Sanford said while he understood the Legislature's urgent search for funds this year, he does not believe taking money out of trust funds and restricted accounts is the answer.

"We breach our trust with the citizens of South Carolina if we expend these donated funds or their earnings for purposes other than that for which they were donated," Sanford said.

The governor removed items from the budget paid for by the diversion of the trust account money.

Environmental officials praised Sanford's vetoes.

"Governor Sanford stands for sound fiscal policy," said Angela Viney, Executive Director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. "Raiding trust funds and diverting private donations is not sound fiscal policy."

Sanford also vetoed a wish list of more than $8 million for various agencies, saying lawmakers should not attempt to fund items with money the state doesn't have.

"This practice creates unrealistic expectations and avoids the prioritization and hard decisions that are necessary in our current budget environment," Sanford wrote.

The governor said while he removed the funding for the Women's Commission, he would attempt to keep it staffed using some of his personnel on a part-time basis. He said the state's poet laureate has agreed to serve without pay.

He vetoed $118,675 for a motorcycle safety program run by the technical college system, saying it should be funded through tuition or general operating funds.

Sanford also vetoed a provision involving the use of the State Highway Patrol at ball games and other special events. With his veto, Sanford said, the Highway Patrol will be able to assess fees for their services at such events, which he said should restrain some schools or agencies from over-using the troopers.

The governor said he was tempted to veto several items but didn't, preferring to handle his concerns through upcoming public budget hearings and his own budget recommendations.

Among the items he said he was tempted to strike were $500,000 for a wildlife magazine, $6 million for teacher recruitment and an unspecified amount for eight workers in a governmental affairs unit for the Department of Education.

Sanford said he thought spending millions for teacher recruitment didn't make sense at the same time when teachers were being laid off because of budget cuts. He said the eight governmental affairs workers "seemed a bit big."

Department of Education Spokesman Jim Foster said three of the eight workers in the governmental affairs unit work auditing the agency, one is an ombudsman and one works with the State Board of Education. He said none are full-time agency lobbyists.