When Gov. Mark Sanford delivers his first State of the State address tonight, lawmakers will be listening for specifics of the governor's plans to improve economic development, education and health care.

"It is time to absolutely start rowing the boat," said state Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg. "I want him to tell me these are my goals, specific targets, and I want him to demonstrate the passion and discipline to see it through."

For Sanford, a Republican sworn in just last week, tonight's speech to a joint session of the House and Senate will be his first and best chance to explain his legislative priorities. During his inaugural address last week, Sanford laid out a broad slate of issues important to him, including education, government restructuring, tax reform and the budget.

Now, lawmakers say, Sanford needs to fill in the gaps.

"He covered a lot of things in his inaugural address," said Senate Minority Leader John Land, D-Clarendon. "I want to know what his particulars are. I want to be there to support him, but I want to know what his ideas are."

Sanford, who is writing the speech himself, is still working on it, spokesman Chris Drummond said. He declined to provide details other than to say it will include more on issues mentioned in the inaugural address.

During the campaign and since the election, Sanford has said a primary goal for his administration will be to increase individual incomes, but that the state's budget crisis makes everything more difficult.

Many of his ideas - from improving education to restructuring government to reforming the tax system - are aimed at increasing wealth. Smarter citizens can earn more, a more efficient government requires fewer tax dollars, and a more equitable tax system will level the playing field, Sanford has said.

Democrats and Republicans alike are anxious to hear Sanford's plans to deal with anticipated continued revenue shortfalls in the state's $5.3 billion budget. Sanford has said he expects the state budget to need up to $1 billion in cuts for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

"People are looking for answers, and the public is looking to the governor and the General Assembly," said Rep. Vida Miller, D-Georgetown. Sanford "should offer specifics on how he's going to address the shortfall. We want to work with the governor to accomplish workable solutions."

Sanford, too, will find lawmakers eager to hear whether his plans for the budget include raising the tax on cigarettes to fund Medicaid. "I would like to know what his position is," Land said.

House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee chairman Harry Cato, R-Greenville, will be listening for Sanford's plans to stimulate the economy.

"He doesn't have to have all the details, but I'm greatly interested in how he intends to steer more high-tech jobs, what we should do with venture capital," Cato said. "We can't leave manufacturing out, but we have got to add the high-tech jobs."

Those high-tech jobs will require well-educated workers, said state Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland. For the past four years, former Gov. Jim Hodges, whom Sanford defeated Nov. 5, made education his top issue. Rutherford said he and others are anxious to hear Sanford's plans for schools.

"I'm really curious," Rutherford said, "and not any more generalities about educating everybody.

"Tell me what you're going to do."

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