The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tax credits for the owners of homes and businesses who install fire sprinklers became law Wednesday, along with 14 other bills when the Legislature reconvened to take up Gov. Mark Sanford's vetoes.

Lawmakers showed overwhelming support for the sprinkler incentives, the one legislative action to come from last year's Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine Charleston firefighters.

"I was very grateful," said Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston. "I couldn't imagine leaving here without having tried to address fire safety after what happened."

The lawmakers met for more than five hours to consider the vetoes issued by Sanford after they closed regular session earlier this month. They left open, however, the possibility of coming back once more this year.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell and House Speaker Bobby Harrell, both Charleston Republicans, could set a date before Oct. 31 to call lawmakers back to deal with budgetary issues.

That could happen for one of two reasons. If the economy continues to slump and revenue shortfalls are projected to reach a certain level, McConnell and Harrell would have to call lawmakers back to rework the state's budget.

Lawmakers also would be called back if Sanford vetoes a measure sent to his desk Wednesday intended to handle budget problems already identified. The Legislature crafted a bill that would shift money intended to cover one month of expenses for state employee insurance premiums to cover school bus operations and election costs. The cost for the insurance premiums will now have to be picked up by the individual agencies.

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