By FITSNews || Barring huge tax increases or another massive “stimulus” package from Washington, D.C., South Carolina’s state budget will shrink considerably next year – the first time that’s happened in nearly a decade.
Prior to appropriating a record $21.1 billion this year, S.C. lawmakers appropriated $20.8 billion two years ago and $20.6 billion last year – although revenue failed to keep up and they were forced to trim back both of those budgets to just over $20 billion apiece.
In the five years leading up to the recent recession, though, lawmakers grew the annual budget from $15.4 to $20.2 billion – a 31 percent increase. In the process, general fund revenues went from being the largest part of the state budget to being the smallest, replaced by the explosive growth of federal funds and “other funds,” which are generated by fees and fines paid by South Carolina taxpayers.
For example, this year’s state budget includes $5.1 billion in general funds (24 percent), $8.2 billion in federal funds (39 percent) and $7.7 billion in “other funds” (37 percent).
A decaded ago – in fiscal year 2001-02 - general funds totaled $5.4 billion (37 percent), compared to $4.3 billion (30 percent) in federal funds and $4.8 billion in “other funds” (33 percent).
Obviously, the state has becoming increasingly reliant on Uncle Sam to bail out its bad decisions, but with no “stimulus” funds coming next year - the “free ride” (remember, we still have to pay for federal funds) appears to be at an end.
So … how deep is next year’s hole?
Right now? It’s a cool billion although lawmakers made it worse by effectively growing government by $1 billion this year.
By countryboy June 7, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Here’s an idea, cut out some of those do nothing jobs held by state workers in Columbia.
By Eyes Open June 7, 2010 at 2:29 pm
How about cutting out those nothing jobs all over the state?
By CNSYD June 7, 2010 at 4:55 pm
countryboy and Eyes Open, please educate me on EXACTLY which jobs these are and also whether or not they were legislatively mandated.
By Cancerman June 7, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Cut some of these for starters.. most of these top levels are already on the Terri Program talk about double Dipping..
Agency First Middle Last Title Salary Date entered
Budget And Control Board Frank W Fusco Agency Head $173,380.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board William E Gunn Chief Of Staff-Exec Comp $148,354.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Edwin E Evans Attorney-Unclassified $145,642.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Thomas Lucht Dpty/Div Director-Exec Comp $137,500.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Peggy G Boykin Dpty/Div Director-Exec Comp $128,343.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board R Lester Boles Office Director-Exec Comp $124,331.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Delbert H Singleton Secretary To The Board $122,229.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Bobby M Bowers Unclassified $122,170.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Barbara J Teusink Asst Director-Exec Comp $121,456.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Thomas J Fletcher Asst Director-Exec Comp $120,788.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Robin E Tester Asst Director-Exec Comp $120,159.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Marvin R Roberson Dpty/Div Director-Exec Comp $120,154.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board A Baron Holmes Program Manager II $119,601.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Stephen L Elliott Attorney-Unclassified $118,757.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Samuel L Wilkins Office Director-Exec Comp $116,984.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Patrick M O Cain Asst Director-Exec Comp $116,951.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Dianne T Poston Dpty/Div Director-Exec Comp $114,920.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Samuel L Jones Asst Director-Exec Comp $113,632.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board R Voight Shealy Office Director-Exec Comp $109,323.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Stephen R Van Camp Attorney-Unclassified $108,811.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Anne Macon F Smith Office Director-Exec Comp $108,000.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Anne R Rochester Program Director-Exec Comp $107,595.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Mary C Agardy Program Director-Exec Comp $107,557.00 3/9/2010
Budget And Control Board Timothy A Frier Program Manager II $100,907.00 3/9/2010
Read more: http://www.thestate.com/salaries/?appSession=775157367667889#ixzz0qDGcAbCt
By Rod Tidwell June 8, 2010 at 4:35 am
government in SC may shrink as a result of bad budgeting over the last decade but this cut when times are bad and spend when times are good thinking will only change when the cesspool of intellectual and governnmet thought that runs our state changes. SC may change only when we have a few more good elections and funerals
By J June 8, 2010 at 9:44 am
I agree that there are a lot of bloated salaries in state government. In my state agency there are too many bosses and not enough people doing the actual work. I’ll let you guess who is getting cut and furloughed around here. It isn’t the fat cats down the hall…its the people trying to get the work out the door!
By SassySally June 8, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Well J, you are correct that there are too many bosses and not enough wokers in State Government. But unless you are on vacation, you apparently you have time to cruise the internet and read FITS while you are on the state “clock”. 9:44 am?
By Juliet Delarosa June 15, 2010 at 4:39 pm
If only more than 36 people would read about this.
By Lourdes Best June 15, 2010 at 5:20 pm
If only more than 24 people would read about this!