COLUMBIA--Gov. Mark Sanford spent part of Tuesday
afternoon meeting with House leaders trying to find common ground on issues that
could set the agenda for the next session -- and the tone for next year's
elections.
The legislative agenda they're leaning toward involves a handful of key
issues: property tax relief; the ability of government to take privately owned
land; and changes to the state's Medicaid system and worker's compensation laws.
With an election year looming, cooperation could be helpful to Sanford and
legislators who have sparred repeatedly during the past three years.
The Republican governor and leaders in the GOP-controlled Legislature have
had off-session meetings before that left lawmakers optimistic only to have the
good feelings fade fast when they returned to their desks. During his first
term, Sanford has held the threat of a lawsuit over legislators' heads and
hauled two squirming piglets to the House's door two years ago after
representatives rushed through overriding 106 budget vetoes.
"This one felt different than the previous meetings we had," said House
Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston. "I had a sense that we're going to try to
accomplish these common goals together."
Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer says the discord has come in details.
Legislators and the governor "have been on the same page about their goals
but there has been some disagreement on how to fix" problems or address issues,
Sawyer said.
Sanford also has been meeting and talking with Senate leaders, Sawyer said.
In the past, Sanford's office has been sharply critical of Rep. Dan Cooper,
R-Anderson. A year ago, Sanford used Cooper's efforts to get a fire truck for
Powdersville as an example of "fiscal gimmickry" in the state budget. Sanford
would have vetoed money for the truck, but Cooper put it in the budget in a way
that the governor's veto pen couldn't touch it.
Now Cooper is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and responsible
for writing the budget.
"I certainly hope we're going to get along a little better," Cooper said
after meeting with Sanford.
The governor's hasn't reached out to the House's top Democrat so far.
"I'd be glad to go and talk over some legislative items with the governor,"
said House Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews. "I'm still waiting on the
telephone call."
