COLUMBIA, S.C. - As the General Assembly enters its final weeks of this year's term, Gov. Mark Sanford called on lawmakers to focus on his proposals to reform education funding, to restructure state government and to cut income taxes while increasing the state's cigarette tax.

Since taking office in January, Sanford has pushed income tax relief as key to renewed economic prosperity in the state.

Sanford said his proposal to cut income taxes, coupled with a 53-cent-a-pack increase on cigarettes, would put more money into the pockets of small business owners and individual income earners. It also would attract more business and industry to South Carolina, thereby growing the economy, he said.

The extra revenue from cigarette taxes also benefits underfunded Medicaid programs and provides millions of dollars in federal matching funds Sanford said

If Medicaid is not funded, underprivileged people will turn to more expensive care at emergency rooms - which comes out of the pockets of taxpayers.

"If that money is not there, money that could have gone to education ... to criminal justice ... to corrections, will be pulled," Sanford said.

The proposal, which was introduced on March 13, had been part of the state's $5.2 billion budget approved by the Senate Finance Committee. But Tuesday, it was ruled out of order during Senate budget debate and was sent to a Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee.

Sanford also wants reform in how education is funded. A bill called Streamlined Management and Accountable Resources for Teaching, or SMART Funding, would give school districts flexibility to spend funds as they see fit.

The bill, introduced March 26 and currently in a House committee, would consolidate dozens of spending sources into six categories.

Sanford also called on lawmakers to work on his proposal to restructure state government.

Under the South Carolina Government Restructuring Act that was introduced April 16, the governor would appoint some statewide officers who are now elected and the governor and lieutenant governor would run on the same ticket.

"This is one of those things that will not be resolved in the first half," of the General Assembly's two-year session, Sanford said. "It will take both halves. But the more I'm around this place, the stronger I sense the need for change."

The final day of the Legislature is June 5. Any legislation not completed by then can be revived next year, as the General Assembly is in the first year of a two-year session.