State Of State Speech Focuses On Restructuring

Gov. Mark Sanford asked for help from lawmakers to restructure state government in his fifth State of the State speech Wednesday night.

Sanford says he's learned that he can only propose ideas. He says change is in the hands of state lawmakers.

In his 22-page speech, the governor also hit on themes he had been talking about in his previous State of the State speeches, including restructuring and controlling spending.

It was Sanford's first State of the State speech of his second term.

While much of Sanford's first-term legislative priorities remain incomplete, no one was expecting him to break much new ground.

The governor focused on restructuring state government, improving underlying conditions to improve the economy and the quality of life in the Palmetto State.

Chief among his proposals for improving quality of life is strengthening the state's DUI laws.

Sanford laid out many of his priorities two weeks ago in his executive budget and last week in his inaugural address.

The governor is calling for a 30-cents-per-pack cigarette tax increase to help pay for lowering the state's top income tax rate.

And he's asked legislators to curb spending while setting aside $439 million to cover future state retiree health care costs.

Legislators are taking some action on those requests.

For the first time, the Senate Judiciary Committee has sent several bills calling on restructuring to the Senate floor for debate.

The bills call for letting the voters decide in 2008 whether they want to keep electing statewide officers or give the governor the power to nominate them.

The bills deal with the posts of state comptroller general, secretary of state, adjutant general, commissioner of agriculture and education superintendent.

Changing the government's management structure requires amending the state constitution.

The committee postponed voting on questions for the state treasurer and lieutenant governor.