South Carolina’s budget estimate for the current fiscal year (2009-10) was cut by $120 million on Tuesday, which means that state government agencies will likely face another across-the-board cut later this year.
Additionally, state revenues were projected to be flat next year, which means that lawmakers will have to scramble to cover a mounting tab of unfunded liabilities.
Tuesday’s cut brings the current year’s budget shortfall to $344.7 million – further evidence of just how dramatically South Carolina’s Republican-led General Assembly overspent this year when it passed the second-largest budget in state history.
Not surprisingly, South Carolina’s government-lovin’ mainstream media is continuing to pimp the fiction that this is a draconian cut – one that represents a huge portion of a vastly-depleted budget. From La Socialista (a.k.a. The State newspaper)’s coverage …
The state budget – $7.2 billion in 2007 – is now $5.6 billion.
Um, no. That’s not even friggin’ close, people.
La Socialista is referring only the state’s general funds, which represent less than a third of the total state budget. The total state budget – which includes general funds, federal funds and “other” funds appropriated by lawmakers – is at $20.3 billion after this cut, or precisely where it was two years ago.
From an article we published on Monday, here’s a breakdown of the growth of the state budget over the past six years …
YEAR – TOTAL S.C. BUDGET (STATE, FEDERAL, FEES)
FY 2003-04 – $15.4 billion ($4.9 billion, $5.1 billion, $5.4 billion)
FY 2004-05 – $16.8 billion ($5.2 billion, $5.7 billion, $5.9 billion)
FY 2005-06 – $18.0 billion ($5.6 billion,$6.2 billion, $6.2 billion)
FY 2006-07 – $19.2 billion ($6.1 billion, $6.5 billion, $6.6 billion)
FY 2007-08 – $20.2 billion ($6.7 billion, $6.9 billion, $6.6 billion)
FY 2008-09 – $20.8 billion ($6.7 billion, $7.1 billion, $7.0 billion)
FY 2009-10 – $20.7 billion ($5.7 billion, $7.8 billion, $7.2 billion)
For the truth on the state budget, click here.
By John Steinberger November 11, 2009 at 10:36 am
Who is willing to admit that our 7% personal income tax and 5% corporate income tax inhibit job creation and revenue? Join the effort to pass the South Carolina FairTax Act. FairTax = Jobs!
By Richard Dichman November 11, 2009 at 12:31 pm
They should start by cutting those glorified rest areas known as WELCOME CENTERS. Have you stopped in one lately. The employees are full time state employees with full state coverage. They also have Direct TV so we get to enjoy the latest global warming feature on the Weatherless Channel. Just great that’s where my taxes should go. Other states have closed there’s and we should do the same.
By me November 11, 2009 at 1:33 pm
no i will not admit that, i will see the large corruption in our government is the reason.
By James the Foot Soldier November 11, 2009 at 5:12 pm
thank you for not referring to the next round of cuts as “mid-year”.
Those cuts will come in February after our math challenged leaders fuckup yet another simple math equation.
The cuts in the 2011 budget – what are they gonna call those since “draconian” has already been used?
By baker November 11, 2009 at 9:10 pm
So what does this say about funding for schools? If they are affected by these cuts in any significant way, does that throw off the numbers SCRG and others have cited based on initial budget plans?
By SCCON November 12, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Didn’t have the guts to actually cut that one up, eh?