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House GOP to share agenda


BY CLAY BARBOUR
Of The Post and Courier Staff

COLUMBIA--House Republicans on Tuesday will roll out their "Palmetto Pledge," a five-point agenda detailing the party's focus for the upcoming legislative session.

The pledge is expected to closely resemble Gov. Mark Sanford's five-point "Contract for Change" that was announced last month.

Both agendas seek to reduce income taxes, broaden school choice, restructure state government and retool tort law, but they differ in one main area. A key part of Sanford's agenda is changing the rules of the state Senate, a measure the governor says is needed to help get his agenda through the General Assembly. Sanford blames Senate rules for helping a small group of senators stymie the progress of many of his ideas.

House Republicans, however, have chosen to focus on job creation. "With unemployment like it is, we need to create a favorable business climate here in South Carolina," said House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville.

Wilkins wouldn't provide details of his plan, saying it still was under construction but would be ready by Tuesday. "It will be comprehensive, I can tell you that," he said.

Wilkins said the two plans are similar because he and the governor worked together over the summer to come up with an agenda. The idea, said Wilkins, was to announce that plan together.

Sanford unveiled his agenda early, leading to some tension between the two sides. At the time, Sanford said there was no agreement to unveil a joint agenda. Wilkins has contradicted that, saying he and the governor "absolutely had an agreement."

Sanford's agenda is similar to one he fought for last session. Lowering income taxes again is a priority. Restructuring state government and increasing school choice also are important to Sanford.

Changing Senate rules, however, could be Sanford's most important agenda item. Without certain changes, most of his bills could suffer the same fate as last session.

Wilkins agreed that Senate rules are a problem, but said it would be inappropriate for the House to address the rules of the Senate.


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