(Columbia-AP) Nov. 14, 2003 - A Columbia newspaper reports some lawmakers Governor Mark Sanford says are backing his income tax reduction plans have reservations.

The State newspaper reports half of the 24 Republicans Sanford says support his plan say there are parts of the plan they do not support. The newspaper says seven lawmakers say they fully back the proposal. The State could not reach the other five legislators.

Sanford has proposed raising the tax on cigarettes from seven cents a pack to 68 cents per pack. He also wants to add the five percent sales tax to lottery tickets.

Sanford says the money should be used to reduce the income tax rate from seven percent to 5.9 percent. Sanford spokesman Will Folks says a list of endorsements released Tuesday includes "a number of different levels of support."

posted 8:10am by Chris Rees