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$7 billion, to $5.8, and now maybe to $6.6 -- that's the size of the state budget before the economic crisis, what Gov. Mark Sanford's suggested, and what is now proposed in Columbia.

Read more stories on this subject in our state budget topic page. The key difference? You guessed it: Billions in federal stimulus money.

The Associated Press has a solid write-up of what's happening with this year's budget, while The State points out three things you should watch for during the forthcoming debate.

Meanwhile, an editorial at The State points out that city, councils, and other public bodies should be cutting provided meals from places where taxpayer money is spent.