Sanford’s tuition tax credit plan

Gov. Mark Sanford’s press secretary came under fire Thursday for making what some construed as a threat to stifle economic development in Anderson County because of a dispute over the governor’s tuition tax credit proposal.

Will Folks, Sanford’s primary spokesman, later apologized to Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce president Lee Luff.

The dispute began Thursday morning when the Anderson newspaper reported the local chamber had come out in opposition to Sanford’s tuition tax credit plan, called “Put Parents in Charge” by its supporters.

According to Luff: Folks called Luff, questioned why the chamber was getting involved and criticized Anderson County’s legislative delegation. He then said he would “take this article to the Commerce Department.”

Commerce is the state’s primary economic development agency.

Luff took Folks’ comments as a threat, although Luff said Folks denied he was making a threat.

When contacted Thursday by The State, Folks said Luff’s recounting is “totally opposite of my recollection of the conversation.”

Folks said he called Luff to share positive outcomes of a school choice program in Milwaukee. He called Luff’s description of the conversation “ridiculous.”

“That is absolutely insane,” Folks said. “We’re about creating jobs in every county in South Carolina. That is insane.”

Luff said Folks was, “frankly, trying to cover his” rear end.

But Folks later decided to attempt to defuse the situation.

“I certainly didn’t think there was anything (in the conversation) that would offend anyone,” Folks said. “I’ll be happy to call him personally and apologize.”

And he did, Luff said.

“We had a very cordial conversation,” Luff said. “I certainly respect and accepted his apology.”

But several Anderson County lawmakers, all of whom oppose the tuition tax credits bill as written, were upset that the governor’s office would hint that opposition to the bill could lead to punishment in terms of economic development.

“From all the interaction that I’ve had with the governor himself, he has always said to me, ‘Whether or not you support an issue, or don’t support an issue, we’re open to discussion and debate about it,’• ” said Rep. Ronny Townsend, R-Anderson, the delegation’s chairman.

“To threaten hardship on anybody to do anything different, I find that very objectionable.”

Rep. Dan Cooper, R-Anderson, said he would be “surprised that the governor would jeopardize economic development programs like that.

“But, if it’s true, that’s exactly why I’m not supporting any new restructuring to give the governor more power. I don’t want the governor to be able to arm-twist to get legislation passed.”

Rep. Michael Thompson, R-Anderson, said the governor or his staff should not question a chamber’s involvement in legislative affairs.

“That’s what they do,” Thompson said. “It’s just a very unfortunate situation.”

This is not the first time Folks has been criticized for his actions or words:

• In June 2004, the governor chastised Folks when it was revealed he had free use of a Corvette loaned to him by a local car dealer with ties to the Sanford administration.

• In March 2004, Folks apologized for what he said was a humorous remark about the governor’s decision to cut funding for the Commission on Women.

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