Sanford said that special legislation wasn't needed because he signed legislation in June that gives all local governments the power to delay the sting of rising property tax bills.

Governments have long had the authority to delay reassessment for one year, but the law created last year allows delays for a second year.

The vetoed bill also is a type of single-county legislation that violates the South Carolina constitution, Sanford said.

Now it is up to the House and Senate to decide whether to override that veto.

Sanford signed two other bills into law.

One raises penalties for store clerks who sell cigarettes to minors, limits locations for cigarette vending machines and makes it unlawful for minors to possess tobacco. Police would notify parents and minors would face a $25 fine or could be ordered to perform five hours of community service.