We are seldom reluctant to second-guess
Gov. Mark Sanford on his plans for overhauling government and adjusting
the state's tax structure, so we feel obliged to praise him when he uses
his bully pulpit effectively.
In recent days, the governor has vetoed an ill-advised bill to cap
property taxes, advocated more money for South Carolina's overworked and
underpaid law officers, and asked the General Assembly to relieve state
employees of staggering increases in health-care costs.
The governor waited until virtually the 11th hour to reject a
proposed law that would prevent local governments from raising taxes on
private homes by more than a set percentage in a given year. The intent
of the bill was to keep homeowners in areas where real estate is
skyrocketing from being clobbered by periodic reassessment, which tax
officials are required to conduct. The problem is aggravated when
citizens of modest means have owned the same dwelling for many years but
now find themselves in a heated housing market.
Gov. Sanford isn't insensitive to the plight of citizens hard-pressed
to pay the taxes on their homes. His reason for the veto makes eminently
good sense. Property taxes are a major source of taxes for local
governments, and by holding the lid on tax increases for some citizens,
the burden of paying for public services would be shifted to other
citizens and other communities. That the business lobby opposed the bill
because it unfairly would hurt commercial and industrial firms,
certainly didn't deter the governor.
Sanford hinted he might view more favorably a bill that would cap tax
hikes until a home was sold, although why that would be any less unfair
escapes us.
As for helping law enforcement, Sanford issued a bold challenge to
legislators to put an additional $54 million into hiring 425 additional
prison guards and S.C. Highway Patrol troopers, as well as paying them
more and giving them better equipment.
Given that South Carolina has one of the worst highway safety records
in the country, it's hard to argue with his request. The Palmetto State
pays prison guards peanuts but expects them to supervise more inmates
than their counterparts in most states -- a situation some say has
created a powder keg in our penal institutions.
And on Monday, Sanford called for an additional $23 million to help
state employees pay for health insurance, which increased by as much as
one-third this year. Because they have borne the brunt of cutbacks in
the state budget in recent years, including going without merit raises
some years, it's refreshing to hear the governor stand up for state
employees.
No doubt the governor faces an uphill struggle in getting lawmakers
on board with his plan. Although most experts think the state's economy
will grow, resulting in higher state revenues, no one is predicting the
Palmetto State will be awash in surplus cash in 2005. Besides, if there
is any extra money available, legislators likely will have their own pet
projects to fund.
And, keep in mind, Gov. Sanford as well as GOP leaders in the General
Assembly have been steadfast opponents of raising taxes.
Still, some things need to be said, and we credit the governor for
saying them.
