Sanford mum on details of State of State speech

By AARON GOULD SHEININ

Staff Writer

Gov. Mark Sanford’s fourth State of the State address Wednesday will feature his thoughts on how best to reform the state’s property tax system.

Beyond that, there are few clues as to what the Republican governor will say in his annual address to the General Assembly.

Sanford’s office isn’t sharing any insights.

“He’s laid out pretty much where he’s coming from in the coming (legislative) session,” Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said. “What he says really shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.”

That would mean Sanford likely will discuss most of the major themes laid out in his proposed state budget, including:

• Limiting growth in government spending

• Sending $75 income tax rebates back to each taxpayer

• In public education, fully funding the state’s base student cost

• Increased spending on law enforcement

• Caps on the rise of tuition at colleges and universities

• Reforming the state’s workers’ compensation system as sought by employers.

When it comes to property taxes, some lawmakers are hoping for agreement. The House has proposed eliminating almost all taxes on owner-occupied homes. The Senate would eliminate property taxes that pay for school operations. Both bodies would replace that lost revenue with an increased state sales tax.

House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Charleston, said Sanford hasn’t divulged his plans.

“I want the governor to acknowledge that this is a serious problem and that he agrees with the General Assembly that we should take care of it,” Merrill said. “I don’t know that anyone has the perfect plan, and I’m sure that’s true with him, as well.”

However, Merrill noted, Sanford has long been more focused on lowering income taxes. But Sanford has acknowledged that this is the year that legislators will deal with property taxes.

“I think it’s a positive that he acknowledges property tax as a concern,” Merrill said.

In an interview with The State in December, Sanford said, “any given year there will be one large tax issue dealt with, and this is the year of property tax.”

In that interview, Sanford also said he might use the State of the State to “lay out a couple of markers about where we are in that debate.”

In past years, Sanford has used the State of the State to more fully explain his positions, taking advantage of the one moment each year when all eyes are indelibly on him.

Last year, for example, Sanford spoke at length about the need for passage of the “Put Parents in Charge” bill, which would provide tuition tax credits for students to attend private schools. While Sanford drew attention to the proposal, it was not adopted by lawmakers.

Sanford faces a primary challenge in June and re-election in November.

Reach Gould Sheinin at (803) 771-8658 or asheinin@thestate.com.

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