SC senator attempting to remove items from budget

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) ? A South Carolina Republican senator said Monday that state taxes should not go to private colleges or local projects, and he wants them removed from the budget.

Sen. Shane Massey is proposing an amendment to the 2012-13 budget plan that takes out more than $4 million worth of items; including money for a North Myrtle Beach museum; a fire station in tiny Andrews; and two small, private, historically black colleges.

Massey's amendment is up for debate Tuesday as senators resume discussions on the $6.6 billion spending plan for state taxes. He acknowledges his amendment deals with a tiny fraction of the overall budget but says it's a matter of principle.

Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, said local senators requested all the items in Massey's amendment. Whether they survive the budget process remains to be seen, he said.

Massey, R-Edgefield, said he tried to pick out all items funding private nonprofits, while noting many of them "do very good work."

"I just don't think those are statewide taxpayer obligations," he added.

He specifically referred to the $100,000 for a nonprofit that provides services to sickle cell patients and $250,000 for a Habitat for Humanity project in Marion County, which usually posts the state's highest unemployment rate.

While he supports budget items that cover some of the long-deferred maintenance needs at public technical colleges and universities statewide, he contends it's unconstitutional to give $200,000 to Clinton Junior College in Rock Hill and $300,000 to Voorhees College in Denmark. Messages left at the colleges Monday were not immediately returned.

"That's an easy one," he said, pointing to a clause in the state constitution that bars using public money to benefit private schools. "I would feel the same way if we were sending money to Wofford or Furman."

Local public projects he wants stripped out include $300,000 for the North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum and $100,000 to the town of Andrews.

Massey said election-year politics helps explain the local projects, as well as the state's improved economy, which caused state economic advisors to adjust its revenue projections for this fiscal year and next. The vote earlier this month gave the Senate an additional $292 million in one-time and recurring money.

"It represents trying to help some people with re-election," he said. "I also think if we're building museums and sending money to 501c3s, we have more money than we need."

He wants more money put in state savings accounts. The proposed budget puts nearly $400 million in reserve accounts ? $60 million more than state law requires this year. Massey said that's a positive step, but he believes twice that should be set aside for the next economic downturn.

Museum director Jenean Todd said the money will help fund long-term exhibits for the museum set to open this fall. Its foundation has spent more than $400,000 to renovate the former library and has little money left for exhibits on area history, with topics including beach culture and the shag, the official state dance.

She contends the project is of statewide importance for a state reliant on tourism ? an industry anchored along the Grand Strand.

"If we can help promote the region by having a cultural museum in a tourist area, I think it's a benefit," Todd said.

Roland Windham, Andrews' interim administrator, said the town of fewer than 3,000 is in dire need of a new fire department to house equipment now kept in a metal building. Temporary roof work recently covered golf-ball-sized holes due to a severe hail storm, he said.

A $60,000 item proposed for deletion is meant to keep a commuter service between Camden and Columbia operating. It is among two mass transit systems that provide a ride for Midlands-area residents who work in Columbia. The other originates from Newberry. Both are in their fourth year and funded through a combination of rider fees and taxpayer dollars.

Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Camden, said he requested money for SmartRide-Camden to keep the service viable in a state with few mass transit options.

Without it, "it probably means more cars on the road. It's a step backward," he said. "This is a pilot to get the state moving in the right direction so we don't have to build more interstate and spend billions on road construction. I'd hate to see the beginnings of improvement die."

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