COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says in his last budget that legislators have avoided making tough choices by using federal bailout money and raising taxes.
Sanford released his final executive budget on Tuesday. He leaves office in a week after wrapping up his second and final term.
Sanford says that despite the recession, state spending has grown and proposed an overall reduction of at least $266 million in state spending in a $5 billion budget. He also wants state workers to choose two state holidays to take without pay.
The governor's proposal calls for consolidating school districts and saving $26 million. He says colleges should get $68 million less.
He wants legislators to create a new, flat income tax of 2 percent by eliminating deductions and loopholes.
Read more about the budget here.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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