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Sanford to offer his vision of S.C.

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Gov. Mark Sanford will deliver his fifth State of the State address tonight.

The governor and his staff have been predictably tight-lipped, but spokesman Joel Sawyer said Sanford "will present some new proposals, but will largely talk about the themes he's talked about for the last four years."

• Restructuring state government: Sanford wants the power to appoint some constitutional officers, many of whom are now elected. He also wants to consolidate health care agencies and disband part of the state Budget and Control Board in favor of a new department that would report directly to him.

• Limiting government spending: Sanford wants the state budget tied to population growth and inflation. His proposed $6.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2007-08 contains $205 million in cuts to personal, small-business and corporate income taxes.

• Improving "soil conditions" for businesses: Includes several measures allowing small businesses to grow.

• Enhancing quality of life: This spans a wide variety of initiatives, including enhancing conservation efforts and toughening alcohol-related traffic laws.