(Columbia-AP) Jan. 18, 2004 - Political observers say Governor Mark Sanford seems to be learning to work better with legislators.

Sanford won praise this session after submitting a budget that can be used as a starting point for House budget writers and for meeting with legislative leadership.

A Francis Marion University political scientist says Sanford may be learning he has to be a little more political to push an agenda forward.

Sanford annoyed some legislators after taking office when he vetoed local issue bills that his predecessors had routinely allowed to become law. He also told lawmakers that if they didn't go along with his plans to raise the cigarette tax and lower the income tax, he would go to their districts to pressure them to change their minds.

The strains on the relationship between Sanford and the General Assembly showed when the governor failed to get any major piece of his agenda passed during the first legislative session.

Posted 5:30pm by Eva Pilgrim