SC Budget Problem Could Grow To $1.6B

By: Associated Press | WSAV News 3
Published: January 08, 2009

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South Carolina's budget problems will likely get worse.
The director of the Office of State Budget said Thursday that an
additional $567 million may need to be cut from spending plans that
are being considered now. That would increase the total spending
loss since last July to $1.6 billion.
Les Boles said the state's starting off the crafting of the next
budget with major holes. Since July, $1 billion has been cut from
state spending and the budget has fallen to $6.1 billion.
Boles says state revenue is $80 million lower than a year ago.
Meanwhile the state has to find $152 million to keep up with
obligations to schools, $127 million for current Medicaid programs
and $50 million for prison and juvenile justice system shortfalls.