COLUMBIA,
S.C. (AP) - Gov. Mark Sanford was to discuss common themes of
restructuring, government accountability and the economy
during his second State of the State address Wednesday
evening.
Earlier in the day, the governor said he already laid out
many of his priorities when he released his first executive
budget this month.
"I think that in fairly painstaking detail, we laid out our
priorities - what we wanted to change, what we wanted to add -
in our budget," Sanford said.
The speech was to highlight the same five basic themes that
were discussed in last year's State of the State: government
accountability, economy and the need for wealth creation,
government structure, education and quality of life.
The overarching theme that affects all of those issues is
government restructuring, Sanford said.
His plans to make government more streamlined and efficient
got a major boost last week when Senate President Pro Tem
Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, introduced restructuring
legislation.
"Government restructuring impacts how viable we are in
attracting industry. Government restructuring could well
impact the structure of how we provide education in South
Carolina. Government restructuring impacts the delivery
service mechanism we call government," Sanford said.
The governor's speech also will highlight reforms made
during his first year in office, including changes in the
Department of Motor Vehicles and campaign finance reform.
Last session, Sanford signed a bill moving DMV from the
Public Safety Department to a stand-alone agency that answers
to his office. Under the new law, drivers can get tag renewal
stickers and registrations from county treasurers' offices or
private entities that could charge a service fee more than the
standard $24 for the transaction.
Drivers' license expiration dates have been extended from
five to 10 years for most people. The agency also can contract
with public and private entities to administer driving tests.
Sanford also signed legislation last session requiring
political parties to disclose soft money contributions, making
political action committees unable to transfer money for state
campaigns among themselves and giving lobbyists more
restrictions on donations.
