Sanford starts anew on big tax cut bid

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It's a road Sanford has traveled before.

This time, it was on tax filing day.

His bid for a $1 billion state income tax cut over 10 years by gradually cutting the rate to 4.75 percent from the current 7 percent has been rejected by the Legislature — primarily the Senate — each of his first three years in office.

Standing in front of 89-year-old, family-owned Smith & James clothing store in Greer's resurgent downtown, Sanford said Thursday's enactment of a tax cut for small businesses by two points to 5 percent over four years was a good start.

"But we're currently doing nothing to attract a growing number of retirees, management teams and most importantly we're doing nothing for the individual taxpayers of South Carolina," he said.

"I'm glad we've gotten tax relief for the small business owner. I'm disappointed more friends in the Senate weren't willing to provide it to the small business employee."

Sanford said he would ask the 2006 General Assembly to enact it and, singling out the House for praise in passing his version and "some brave senators" who supported it, he sought to generate public pressure on the Senate for next year's rematch.

Todd Gibson, 43, owner of the adjacent eatery, Lunch & Such, was all for both tax bills.

"Anything that helps small business is a plus," he said. And Gibson wouldn't mind having his personal bill trimmed.

Sanford said he would continue to make across-the-board tax relief his administration's priority.

Inside the store, Manager Brandon Price chatted with Sanford and said, "We'd like to be your clothier."

Sanford, whose penny-pinching, limited wardrobe and penchant for khakis and workshirts are legendary, laughed and told him, "You'd go to the poorhouse with me as a customer."

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Dan Hoover covers politics and can be reached at 298-4883.