SC governor rails against bailouts

COLUMBIA, S.C. - At a time when other states are clamoring for cash, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is saying no thanks.

The newly minted head of the Republican Governors Association is carving out an identity as the anti-bailout governor, speaking against calls for more money from Washington for new state public works spending, lifesaving dollars for the auto industry and even stimulus checks.

At a time when the nation sinks deeper into a recession, state budgets everywhere are growing greater holes and unemployment rates are soaring, Sanford knows he doesn't have many people rallying around him. But he doesn't care.

"I find myself in a lonely position," he said in an op-ed column in The Wall Street Journal last month. "While many states and local governments are lining up for a bailout from Congress, I went to Washington recently to oppose such bailouts. I may be the only governor to do so."

Sanford, a trim, 48-year-old former real estate investor who requires his sons to memorize a family constitution, clashes often with the Republicans who control both chambers of his state Legislature, once famously carrying two piglets to the door of the House chamber in opposition to what he said was pork-barrel spending. He fought lawmakers' spending increase proposals long before the housing crisis hit, warning of a looming recession.

He's loudly decried the $700 billion bailout of the financial services industry and the proposed bailout of the auto industry. He spoke against a proposed $150 billion economic stimulus proposal this fall and against one by fellow governors to provide billions for state infrastructure projects. His rationale has been consistent: More debt is not the answer, and the nation is already sinking in it.

"(W)e must be wary of the moral hazard present in the idea of bailing out the private or public sector," he wrote to President-elect Barack Obama during a meeting of the nation's governors earlier this month.

Sanford said Wednesday that bailouts sap people of their initiative, "which is the ultimate economic stimulus."

SC volunteer firefighter charged with arsons

BETHUNE, S.C. - A Kershaw County firefighter has been arrested and charged with setting several fires, including a blaze that destroyed a community center.

Authorities say 18-year-old Matthew Catoe was charged Wednesday with six counts of arson. Officials say he confessed to setting six fires, including a Nov. 24 fire that destroyed the gym at Bethune Recreation Center.

Authorities say the total damage from the fires totals $1.1 million. No injuries were reported.

Catoe has been a volunteer firefighter for several months. He is also the son of Bethune Fire Chief Darren Catoe.

Matthew Catoe was being held at the Kershaw County jail Wednesday. Officials did not know if he had an attorney or when he would have a bond hearing.

SC Medicaid agency cuts payments for health care

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina residents will lose some meal, dental and health benefits beginning in February as the Department of Health and Human Services deals with a $61 million round of budget cuts.

The agency released a list Wednesday showing how it will handle reductions that bring its losses for the year to $137 million. It is the latest fallout from the state's budget problems as agencies are forced to deal with $1 billion being cut from state spending as tax collections stall.

The cuts effective Feb. 1 include plans to stop building wheelchair ramps, pay only for a maximum of seven home-delivered meals weekly; stop adding people to an HIV waiver program and end hospice care payments for people who aren't covered by Medicare.

10,000 soldiers leaving SC for holiday

COLUMBIA, S.C. - More than 10,000 soldiers will march out of Fort Jackson in the coming days on special holiday leave.

Fort Jackson officials say the mass of troops will gather in the pre-dawn hours Thursday and travel by bus to airports in Columbia, Charlotte and Atlanta. Others will leave by train or private car for points across the country.

The troops have until Jan. 2 to enjoy a break from their military routines.

Officials began planning for the move six months ago.

A spokeswoman at Columbia's Metropolitan Airport says additional lines have been added to deal with the crush of soldiers and no extra wait times are expected.