Governor Sanford to Push for Spending Limits

Governor Mark Sanford plans to make stops across South Carolina Wednesday and Thursday to push for spending limits.

Sanford will join the state’s comptroller general and legislators in calling for spending to stay in line with inflation and population growth. The group will stop in Greenwood, Anderson, Seneca, and Easley.

State lawmakers plan to return to Columbia on Monday to decide on major budget cuts. According to ‘The State’ newspaper hundreds of state jobs could be cut.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may close on Saturdays at six locations. Programs to help sick children and promote a clean environment may also be pared down.

One of the ideas to cut spending was proposed by South Carolina Education Superintendent Jim Rex. Rex suggested that the legislature allow districts to adjust their school weeks to a four day school week with longer days instead of the required 180 days of instruction. He also wants a temporary stop to student testing not required by the ‘No Child Left Behind Act’.

He said that he believes both these measures, along with others he proposed, could help cut costs.