Another $102 Million Cut From State Budget

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina budget oversight panel has cut $102 million from the state spending plan as it tries to head off a budget shortfall.
    The Budget and Control Board on Wednesday voted 3-1 to cut 2 percent from the budget that started in July at $7 billion and already has seen $1 billion in cuts.
    That has carved deeply into public school, college and health care budgets. Most of the state’s agencies have lost nearly 20 percent or more of their budgets.
    Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman of Florence said Wednesday’s reduction comes with less than four months left in the fiscal year and puts agencies in a bind to set aside the money.
    Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom voted against the reduction. He said it would be better for legislators to make spending decisions.
   
    (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)