(Columbia-AP) Jan. 22, 2004 - South Carolina
Democrats did agree with all the ideas of Republican Governor
Mark Sanford in his State
of the State Address Wednesday night.
Aiken Senator Tommy Moore said the governor was "very
sincere," but he did point out the difficulties the
state is facing with budget deficits, "I don't think you
can remove anything from the table for
consideration."
Democratic State Senator John Land from Manning says
just as important were things Sanford did not say in his
speech. Land says Sanford's budget proposal includes
about $1800 per student in South Carolina, $400 fewer
than demanded by law, "The governor and I align on a lot
of things. But, we need to put education as our top
priority, and his proposed budget and his speech tonight
doesn't put it on the front runner."
Land says he'll glad join the governor's exercise
plan and drop a few pounds, but Land says Sanford needs
to do something for the children of the state.
Moore also wanted to hear more about education, "I
was disappointed in that there wasn't specifics about
education other than saying that we've got a problem."
The Aiken Senator went on to cite examples of how South
Carolina stacks up with neighboring states in funding
education, calling the Palmetto State effort, "woefully
short."
Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum says the
governor focused on the negative views of education.
Land also pointed out that there are between 40,000
and 80,000 children in South Carolina who, if they lived
in the neighboring states of North Carolina or Georgia,
would have the health insurance they lack here.
He says the governor fell through on properly funding
healthcare, "But he didn't put the funds in his medicaid
budget that would give that health insurance to as many
as 80,000 people in South Carolina."
Land raised concerns about the governor's call for
restructuring, "Because the last time we restructured we
cost ourselves a lot of money. We never see the
savings."
Sanford, a Republican, presides over a state
government that has GOP majorities in both the House and
Senate.
updated 7:53am by BrettWitt
