Session likely before Nov. 4

State's financial situation will become more clear after budget forecasters meet today

COLUMBIA — The way things looked Tuesday had state Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell thinking it's likely the Legislature will be back in session before Election Day.

Any decision on when legislators could return to the Statehouse will be more concrete after today when South Carolina's budget forecasters meet to assess the state's financial situation.

The Board of Economic Advisors likely will drop expected revenue collections by at least 4 percent, or $250 million, triggering a special session for the Legislature to rebalance the current fiscal year's budget.

"Time's running out for this General Assembly," McConnell, R-Charleston, said.

It is likely that the Legislature could come back between Oct. 21 and Nov. 1, just under the wire before terms expire for the 170 men and women serving in the House and Senate, McConnell said.

Candidates who win seats in the Statehouse on Nov. 4 could be sworn in as early as noon on Nov. 10. A new Legislature requires reorganization, adoption of rules and election of legislative leaders.

In the time between now and Oct. 21, McConnell said, talks should intensify in an attempt to build agreements on what government services must be cut.

Together with House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, McConnell will decide if, and when, to set a date for the Legislature's return. The quickest lawmakers could wrap up a session, even with consensus on budget cuts, is believed to be about two weeks.

Gov. Mark Sanford has been in a "vigorous tug of war" with legislative leaders during the last couple of months over targeted budget cuts. Last week, Sanford said he was considering calling legislators back rather than see all agencies take across-the-board cuts.

Tuesday, the governor led a budget summit with all the state's agencies to try to come up with ways to save money. In all, about 100 people gathered, including nearly 70 state agency directors.

Sanford asked for anonymous suggestions on note cards and for agencies to submit lists by Friday of potential places to save up to 10 percent on individual budgets.

Although not many specifics were offered at the summit, Jon Ozmint, director of the Department of Corrections, said making cuts for him might be eliminating schooling for inmates and grief counseling by prison chaplains.

Some ideas raised include allowing agencies to share ideas on a blog, using the Net to make phone calls, asking the Legislature to suspend certain regulations that might allow agencies to save money and partnering up on administrative or information technology services.

Also, several arguments were made for restructuring state government as a means toward efficiency.

Reggie Lloyd, State Law Enforcement Division director. Lloyd suggested agencies break up in working groups to come up with ideas to present jointly to the Legislature.

Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.