Legislative Bill S.64

To:                   South Carolina PBA Members

 From:               Dave Soderberg, Division President

 Date:                May 20, 2003

 Subject:            H. 3218, R.76, Law Enforcement Memorial

 On May 14, 2003, Governor Mark Sanford vetoed H. 3218, R.76, Law Enforcement Memorial resolution.  Governor Sanford’s office contacted the PBA in regard to his decision to veto this resolution.  Upon speaking with Mike Easterday about Governor Sanford’s decision, I was convinced that the Governor was making the right decision based on financial responsibility to State Law Enforcement Officers and to our State as a whole.  I commend and support Governor Sanford’s decision.

 I believe the creation of a Law Enforcement Memorial is an important endeavor that can be accomplished through private donations.  I personally have given to the memorial fund and would encourage everyone who feels as strongly as I do to do the same.

 I have included the Governor’s response to the South Carolina House of Representatives to better inform our membership as to his reasons why he vetoed H. 3218, R.76.  It reads as follows:

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

 May 14, 2003

 The Honorable David H. Wilkins

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Post Office Box 11867

Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

I am hereby returning without my approval H. 3218, R.76, a Joint Resolution:

DIRECTING THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, AFTER OBTAINING THE APPROVAL OF THE STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE AS TO DESIGN AND LOCATION, TO PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CAPITOL COMPLEX USING STATE FUNDS PROVIDED FOR THE PURPOSE AND PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS.

 This veto is based upon my belief that H. 3218, R.76 would appropriate scarce public funds to a purpose that, although very worthwhile, is presented at a time when our state is in its worst budget crisis in decades. In the 2001-02 fiscal year, we experienced a 2.96% reduction in state revenue, and during the current fiscal year state agencies experienced an 8.77% across the board budget cut. If just the law enforcement area is considered, the State Law Enforcement Division is running a deficit of two million dollars and the Department of Corrections is running a deficit of twenty-seven million dollars. State resources are desperately needed at the frontline of law enforcement and corrections. I support the construction of a Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on the State House grounds to honor South Carolina's officers killed in the line of duty. However, I cannot support beginning construction and diverting $500,000 of public funds at this particular time due to the current state budget crisis. I would support a resolution to begin construction if this project were funded entirely with private funds. For these reasons, I am returning H. 3218, R.76 to you without my signature.

 Sincerely,

Mark Sanford

Governor