COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford laid out a plan for economic development, waded into the property tax debate and detailed proposals for all levels of education during his State of the State address Wednesday.

Some lawmakers, though, were looking for more details

"I was a little bit surprised that solutions, more solutions weren't given," said Rep. Bill Clyburn, D-Aiken.

South Carolina's unemployment rate rose in November. At 7.1 percent, it is the third-highest in the nation, behind only hurricane-battered Louisiana and Mississippi.

Mr. Sanford, though, prefers to emphasize a different statistic: In 2005, the South Carolina labor force grew by 45,000.

"It means someone is loading up a U-Haul rental trailer and leaving Michigan because they think South Carolina represents greater opportunity," he said.

"In the short run, that lowers Michigan's unemployment rate and raises ours, but in the long run, we will be better off for these folks making South Carolina home."

Regarding property taxes, Mr. Sanford laid out several guidelines:

- Any "swap" of property tax for sales tax should be revenue-neutral or a net tax cut.

- Any changes to the sales tax should be more comprehensive than an increase and should "look at exemptions that are not serving their purpose."

- Lawmakers should consider the effects on the business community in any swap scenario.

- The state should be open to giving local governments more flexibility in addressing the issue of rapidly increasing property taxes.

- If the state takes over education funding, the state also ought to "align or cap" the growth rate of spending in local schools.

Rep. Robert "Skipper" Perry, R-Aiken, said the governor "really didn't put a solid (property tax) proposal out there."

But Mr. Perry agrees with Mr. Sanford that the state should spend conservatively.

"Do not spend more than you take in, and just because we got some new money, don't act like a drunken sailor and spend it," he said.

Mr. Sanford also addressed education, from preschool on up to the universities.

Of Judge Thomas W. Cooper Jr.'s December ruling that the state must do more to educate low-income preschoolers, Mr. Sanford said he would encourage private-public partnerships "directed toward the people for whom it will make the biggest difference."

He also proposed tuition caps and asked lawmakers to support a bill to make it easier to establish charter schools.

"Education is the great equalizer in the 21st century, and I believe that every - not just wealthy folks who can afford the right neighborhood that has a good school - but every parent ought to be able to send their child to the school they believe works best for their son or daughter," he said.

Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, said it was an excellent speech.

He said the governor's goals are good for business and schools.

Mr. Sanford said he believes the General Assembly can pass significant legislation this spring, even as the November election looms.

"The election comes toward the end of the year, not toward the beginning," said Mr. Sanford, who is seeking re-election.