Legislative session ending, budget battle continues

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina legislators are wrapping up their session and will spend much of the week dealing with Gov. Mark Sanford’s vetoes of a $5.7 billion budget that forces him to request nearly $350 million in federal bailout cash.
   
Sanford will detail his veto plans Tuesday afternoon. The House is expected to begin trying to override them Wednesday.
   
Sanford has declined to request the federal cash unless it is used to offset state debt. The White House twice rejected that idea. Legislators expect this year’s budget fight to end up in court.
   
Sanford has a reputation for exercising his veto power. He’s issued an average of just under 100 per year since taking office. In 2006 he vetoed the entire budget, but in 2007 he vetoed 243
items.