Letters between state leaders grow divisive

COLUMBIA — A flurry of letters concerning how to handle the state's slumping revenue were sent back and forth between Gov. Mark Sanford and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell and House Speaker Bobby Harrell.

Sanford wants the Legislature to return to session to issue targeted budget cuts instead of making all agencies cut their costs by 3 percent, especially because the departments of Education and Corrections are already forecasting deficits.

McConnell and Harrell, both Charleston Republicans, said that they agree with making targeted cuts as opposed to cutting all agencies equally; however, they argue that the Legislature is not able to reconvene because of provisions in the law. Lawmakers can target the cuts when they return in January, McConnell and Harrell said.

The tone in the letters, dated Aug. 26 through Sept. 3, has grown more divisive.

In response to Sanford's criticism, McConnell writes: "I do not like feuding in public. I am a firm believer that we should settle out internal squabbles so as not to hurt our state. However, when I am unjustly attacked, or the body I am elected to represent is needlessly attacked, which they have been constantly, I am forced to reply in kind in order to defend both my colleagues and myself."

Read tomorrow's editions of The Post and Courier for more on the story.