COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford touched on a smorgasbord of hot-button issues during Wednesday night's State of the State address, making sure few voters went away hungry.

The Republican governor largely avoided breaking new ground, sticking to familiar objectives and trumpeting myriad accomplishments during the 50-minute speech.

In his fourth address to the General Assembly, Sanford described South Carolina as being "in a state of transition."

"The bottom line is that we have to change to successfully compete in this new world," Sanford said.

Sanford asked lawmakers to work with him to improve the "soil conditions" for business development so that the state can produce in a global economy.

But that was just one of the many issues he noted during the speech. Sanford mentioned everything from property tax relief and boosting economic development to improving early childhood education and the need for more black judges.

"I can't think of anything he didn't touch on," said Neal Thigpen, a political pundit at Francis Marion University. "There wasn't a (voter) base that he didn't reach out to."

At the same time, many Republican and Democratic lawmakers left the speech disappointed that Sanford skimmed over the topics and avoided detailed positions on major issues.

"He offered us no real specifics at all," said Senate Minority Leader John Land, D-Manning. "He's supposed to give us concrete ideas we can put into legislation and he didn't do that."

Sanford's GOP primary challenger, Dr. Oscar Lovelace, called the speech "disappointing."

"It was long on rhetoric and short on results," said the Newberry physician who watched from the Statehouse lobby.

Land and other Democrats said he also neglected to mention the state's high unemployment rate, the third highest in the nation, and the fact the state is near the bottom in job growth.

"With tonight's speech, Sanford again refuses to take responsibility for his failed policies and ... the voters have about had enough," said Joe Erwin, chairman of the state Democratic Party.

Scott Huffmon, a political science professor at Winthrop University, said the dynamics of the speech were affected by the upcoming elections.

"I think the election was in the back of his mind as he put forth his agenda," he said. "He didn't paint himself into any corner with details ... and this was smaller in terms of agenda items than previous State of the State offerings."

Democrats agreed.

"It seems to me he is in full campaign mode," said Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg.

At many points, the lawmakers and state government officials in the audience seemed numb, applauding only twice during the speech - once when he endorsed property tax relief and once when he called for more blacks judges on state courts.

The governor saved the property tax topic for last, laying out five parameters for the keystone debate that will dominate the Legislature this year.

Sanford said he supports a tax-swap plan that reduces home taxes and increases sales taxes if it is revenue neutral. He promised to veto the bill if it raises taxes.

He asked lawmakers to scrutinize sales tax exemptions that "no longer serve their purpose," consider seriously the concerns of the business community, factor in impact fees to fund growth and cap local school spending.

After the speech, lawmakers and taxpayers said they were pleased to hear that Sanford was on board the property tax bandwagon.

"Finally, the governor's behind it," said Don Bowen, an Anderson taxpayer. "He was the only one who hadn't signed on."

Again in this area Sanford was vague and careful, lawmakers and political observers said. His outline largely mirrored what lawmakers have already proposed. "He was very cautious about the property tax reform," Thigpen said. "He only mildly signed onto (it)."

 

Main points

Gov. Mark Sanford's mapped out these five guiding principles for legislators during his State of the State address:

1. Stimulate job growth

2. Provide for a great education

3. Maintain high quality of life

4. Address property tax reform

5. Bring greater diversity to state government

 

Reaction

"I was particularly pleased to even hear him talk about the things that he and the General Assembly had done together over the last two years. What was even better (was for) to him to talk about the agenda this coming year and to focus on the things the House Republican Caucus rolled out last week."

- House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston

"The governor has spent the last three years cutting the job creation department which resulted in the third-highest rate in the nation. ... Now in an election year, the governor wants to start over and pretend the last three years didn't exist and that's just not going to fly."

- State Democratic Party Executive Director Lachlan McIntosh

"Tonight's speech shows us that our governor has matured while in office not only in the way he approached the issues but in the way he approached the individuals."

- Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney

"I think the governor played a middle of the road speech with few turns, which plays fairly well in an election year."

- Todd Shaw, political science professor at the University of South Carolina

"The governor, as he has from day one, laid out a clear vision for moving South Carolina forward."

- State Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, and candidate for state treasurer

"Tonight, an unpopular politician was giving an election-year speech. We're in a job crisis in South Carolina. ... We can do better. We need a change."

- Joe Werner, spokesman for Florence Mayor Frank Willis' Democratic gubernatorial campaign

 

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford delivered
his State of the State 2006 address in Columbia.

For the full text of Governor Mark Sanford's State of the State address, click here.

For the full text of the response of Senate Minority Leader John C. Land III, click here.

 

Contact John Frank at jbfrank@postandcourier.com or (803) 799-905.