COLUMBIA--The message was clear Thursday as state business leaders joined Gov. Mark Sanford at a news conference touting his income tax reduction plan: Senate, approve this bill quickly.

Nearly a dozen business leaders, representing organizations ranging from the S.C. Chamber of Commerce to the S.C. Trucking Association, have endorsed the tax plan, calling the measure a boon for the state's economy.

Sanford's plan, which passed the House last week, would reduce the state's highest income tax bracket by .225 percent annually for the next 10 years, dropping the rate from the current 7 percent to 4.75 percent. It also would lower the small-business tax rate from the current 7 percent to 4.75 percent, bringing it in line with taxes paid by major corporations.

"This tax cut will be the catalyst for spurring economic growth in the state," said Hunter Howard, president of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce. "By providing such attractive incentives to those companies considering either locating here or expanding their operations here, we are creating the kind of environment that is necessary to win both globally as well as nationally."

The bill is in the Senate, which is dealing with a potential logjam of legislation. The state budget is on the horizon, and senators are embroiled in a filibuster on a potential primary seat belt law.Senators say Sanford's plan has about a 50-50 chance of passing if it makes it to the floor. The bigger problem is getting it there.

"A lot of people support the governor on this," said Senate Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston. "And I hope we get to it. But I know the difficulties bills face making it through the process. There is a possibility that it will lag in the Senate."

Sanford was joined Thursday by two senators and several state business leaders in asking for the Senate to put income tax reform high on its priority list.

"The governor has said all along that lowering income taxes is front burner issue number 1 for him," Sanford spokesman Will Folks said. "We hope the Senate will view this as a major priority."

Sanford's cause is hurt by a general feeling of tension between his office and the Legislature these days. Last week, legislators voted overwhelmingly to override his veto of the Life Sciences Act, a measure that would bring some $80 million to the Charleston area.

The next day, hours after the House officially passed the governor's tax plan, Sanford announced he was considering taking the matter to the state Supreme Court.

Sanford opposed the bill, which had grown to include more than 20 pieces of loosely connected legislation, over what he termed "politically driven, pork-barrel spending."

Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, said the governor later gave an interview to a Greenville radio station in which he suggested that people vote out leaders who don't support his agenda.

"That upset a lot of folks, particularly the ones from the Upstate," he said. "They were driving in their cars and listening to that, and they didn't like it."

House Ways and Means Chairman Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said lawmakers have been frustrated.

"We have a Republican House, Senate and governor's office," Harrell said. "We all want to work together. And we were trying to work on (Sanford's) agenda. But on the very day we pass his income tax plan, he comes out with something that makes it sound like it's us who won't work with him. And that's not accurate or fair."

Sanford's tax plan already faced stiff opposition in the Senate, where a large minority is likely to oppose the measure. If it takes the full Senate too long to take up the bill, then any filibuster by opponents would be hard, if not impossible, to break. It doesn't help that legislators feel burned by the governor.

The criticism of Sanford all along was that he would be unable to work with the Legislature. At the beginning of the session, much was made of the GOP's dominance of state government. Party leaders from McConnell and Harrell to House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, all vowed there would be solidarity between the executive and legislative branches.

Almost from the beginning, the truce was tenuous. Nerves were on edge after the governor floated a poll last December that seemed to pit the governor against the General Assembly.

While the results implied widespread support for Sanford and his ideas for reform, the loaded wording of some questions caused many legislators to take offense at what they saw as a shot over their bow.

Many see Sanford's response to the Life Sciences Act as another shot.

Folks said the governor hopes hurt feelings over one issue will not affect their votes on another.

"We hope they base their decisions on the merit of the individual proposal and not hold up income tax relief," he said.

McConnell said he was aware of the grumbling going on, but didn't agree with it.

"Some people just need to have a little thicker skin," he said.

Clay Barbour covers the Statehouse. Contact him at (803) 799-9051 or at cbarbour@postandcourier.com.