Across the region

Broun declines debate invitations from rival

ATHENS, Ga. --- U.S. Rep. Paul Broun will skip an October debate in his hometown, a year after slamming an opponent for refusing to come to the same event.

Mr. Broun, R-Athens, declined an invitation Wednesday to appear at an Athens Press Club debate. He has not ruled out debating Democratic opponent Bobby Saxon at least once, but he will be selective about which events he attends, spokeswoman Jessica Morris said.

"Our focus will not be on debates," Ms. Morris said.

Mr. Broun does not have a conflict that would prevent him from attending, she said.

In 2007, Mr. Broun criticized opponent Jim Whitehead for skipping debates and forums, including an Athens Press Club debate.

Mr. Saxon has challenged Mr. Broun to debates in all 21 counties in the 10th Congressional District, but Ms. Morris said Mr. Broun won't be taking him up on it.

Panel to investigate collection, spending

COLUMBIA --- A Senate panel said Thursday it will examine how more than $7 billion in fees, fines and other special sources of money is being collected and spent by agencies increasingly depending on the charges to pay expenses as legislators shy from cutting spending and raising taxes.

The reviews include charges for restaurant inspections and birth and death records at the Department of Health and Environmental Control, voter files at the Election Commission and fishing and hunting permits at the Department of Natural Resources.

Sen. David Thomas, a Fountain Inn Republican leading the panel, said fees, fines and other special charges have become the biggest source of cash to run South Carolina's agencies and programs.

He noted it was only the beginning of the effort and that more state agencies should expect the same type of review.

-- Edited from wire reports