(Columbia) June 4, 2003 - January 2003 marked the beginning of a new era of governorship for South Carolina with the swearing in of Mark Sanford. The new governor had his work cut out for him with a state budget crisis and campaign promises of an income tax cut.
 
The issues six months later, for the time being, are decided. DMV restructuring could be counted as a victory. Promises to restructure the legislature is on hiatus for next year. Sanford called the biggest disappointment of the session the income tax cut.

The governor gives himself a B+, "The reason I wouldn't give me an A is what you'll find is I'm the first governor in 50 years who's come to Columbia who's not a product of the legislature. "

Rep. John Graham Altman (R) Charleston, says for a governor to make any promise a reality requires the legislature's cooperation, "Those comments like, we got a Republican controlled House, a Republican controlled Senate, we're in the majority, but that legislative process is designed to see that things do not happen."

Rep. James Smith (D) Richland, "How successful they are legislatively is going to depend on their ability to influence."

Rep. Bobby Harrell (R) Charleston, "Far from being a failure, I would say we're a work in progress and he'll get a lot done before this is over."

Voters, like John English, at Zesto's restaurant in West Columbia are willing to give it time, "Kinda still trying to feel him out with the budget."

Others seemed to be willing to give the governor some leeway as well, "We need to give him more time to do what he said he's going to do," and, "He's got to do some battling. He's got to take charge. He may get what he needs in South Carolina."

Sanford calls it a lesson in persistence, "There are no sudden explosions, for the most part, in the legislative process. It's really a process of erosion, of water running over that rock long enough to just flat-out wear a hole in it. "

Sanford says he's treating the income tax cut like a second campaign and plans to zero in on places where he didn't get support this legislative session to visit over the summer.

By Megan Hughes
Posted 6:44pm by BrettWitt