COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford is extending an olive branch to lawmakers.
On the eve of the final legislative session of his first term, the governor
dismissed any perceived schism with the Legislature and pledged to work with
lawmakers to accomplish his agenda.
Sanford plans to communicate with rank-and-file lawmakers through weekly
e-mails and conferences in addition to the regular meetings with legislative
leadership.
"Ongoing conversation is part of the equation, but we're going one step
beyond that," Sanford said. "On a very regular basis I am going to be meeting
with those guys throughout the year."
The seemingly small steps could go a long way toward easing some of the
friction between the governor's office and the GOP-controlled General Assembly
going into the 2006 elections.
When lawmakers adjourned last June, tension was running high because of an
especially contentious budget process. The last days of the session were spent
overriding all but 10 of Sanford's 163 line-item budget vetoes.
In the off-season, the governor and legislative leaders worked to mend
fences.
House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, said Sanford's overtures
and overall attitude adjustment will go a long way.
"When Mark's talking about these gigantic issues like restructuring, it's not
just a matter of saying it's a super-duper idea," he said. "It's a matter of
putting together the coalitions in order to pass the things."
Some lawmakers are optimistic about a fresh start when the Legislature
returns Tuesday.
"He has a different style from any other governor that's come before the
General Assembly," said Rep. Chip Limehouse, the Charleston delegation chairman.
"We've gotten used to him and he's gotten used to us. I think this is a
break-out year."
Democrats say Sanford's efforts are too little, too late.
"He was ranked one of the worst governors for a reason," said Lachlan
McIntosh, executive director of the state Democratic Party, referring to a
recent Time magazine article about the best and worst governors in the country
based on interviews with political analysts, academics and former governors.
Pressure is on
South Carolina political observers said a positive legislative session
couldn't come at better time, especially for the governor.
"It's an election year when his record is going to be scrutinized," said Bill
Moore, a political science professor at the College of Charleston. "It is
important for Mark Sanford to go into the campaign with a track record of
success."
Moore acknowledges that Sanford remains "relatively popular because of his
anti-government focus," but that might not be enough.
"Regardless of who is governor, the mark of leadership is getting passed
proposals that the Legislature is lukewarm to," he said.
Winthrop University pundit Scott Huffmon said Sanford realizes this when he
reaches out to the Legislature.
"It's a politically strategic decision," the political science professor
said. "This is the only way to get something accomplished or he is going to lose
his job."
Sanford said he isn't putting any more emphasis on this legislative session
than past ones. "It's always important to get stuff done in the legislative
process," he said. But "we don't view it that way."
The governor touts numerous victories during his tenure and dismisses talk of
a contentious relationship with the Legislature. "The nature of change includes
tension," he said.
Sanford cites as some of his top accomplishments: paying down the state's
debt, passing legislation to limit frivolous lawsuits and signing a
small-business income tax cut.
Last year, lawsuit reform and updating the Senate rules were two completed
items on the governor's 5-point "Contract for Change."
His other proposals - broad income tax relief, government restructuring and
school choice - never made it out of the Legislature.
Sanford's income tax relief passed the House but was pared down in the Senate
to apply only to small businesses.
Looking toward this year's legislation season, the governor said he needs to
deliver on his vow to overhaul the worker's compensation field and increase
choice in the charter school system. He said he would lay out more priorities
for his final year in next week's State of the State address.
Sanford doesn't pretend that he has achieved everything he promised on the
campaign trail. He hasn't, and that's why he's running for a second term.
"The wheels of change turn much more slowly than I thought when I came here,"
he said. "The ideal for me would have been: You put in your four years and go
back to spending a little more time at the farm and a little more time with the
family. But that isn't in the cards."
Contact John Frank at jbfrank@postandcourier.com or (803)
799-9051.
