Posted on Fri, Jan. 05, 2007

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Discord shows up early

Lawmakers, governor waste no time on niceties

By JOHN O’CONNOR

johnoconnor@thestate.com

On the eve of a new legislative session, lawmakers spent Thursday wondering whether their relationship with Gov. Mark Sanford has soured already.

On Wednesday, House leaders took exception to criticisms in the governor’s budget that they reneged on promises to limit spending and refund taxes. Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said the comment showed the governor was not interested in cooperation; Sanford said the statement was accurate but not a personal attack.

The discourse continued at a legislative news briefing Thursday, where Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, said debating governing with Sanford was like telling a vegetarian English professor how to butcher a hog.

“He’s more interested in correcting your grammar than the sharpness of your knives,” Peeler said. “And you both know he isn’t going to eat the meat anyway.”

Sanford’s spokesman Joel Sawyer said the budget was an attempt to hold lawmakers to their promises as House members pledged last year to cap spending.

“No offense was meant. We hope none was taken,” Sawyer said. “It may could have been said a little differently, but the facts are the facts.”

Lawmakers said they and the governor often agree, but Sawyer said state spending is a major point of contention.

Peeler said the continued sniping could draw the ire of voters.

“The people in South Carolina are tired of this bickering. You’ve seen it at the national level. Around this table, you better wake up,” Peeler said. “They expect us to produce, or they’ll send someone down here who will.”

Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8358.