Jan 04 2009
Sanford to Focus On a Few Key Issues for Last Two Years
Gov. Mark Sanford will take a slimmed-down agenda into his last two years in office, abandoning some of the plans he brought with him to Columbia.
In an interview with The State, Sanford reflected on his first six years in office and what can be done in his remaining time.
Declining to publicly name names, Sanford said lawmakers who have a financial interest in the status quo — whether a paycheck or a job for a relative — have thwarted his plans for reform.
I wish Sanford would name names. Let the people know who are screwing them in Columbia. I understand why he didn’t do it, though. He’s had a hard enough time getting those louses in the state assembly to go along with any kind of reform. Calling people out in public would be a certain invitation to a few members dedicating every waking moment they have in the next two years to stand in the way of anything the governor tries to do and we can’t count on the voters to get rid of these people. Exhibit A: That fat pig Jake Knotts.
Sanford said he realizes he will not eliminate the state’s income tax on individuals and has given up on a handful of other priorities. But, he said, he will press for other reforms, including eliminating the state income tax on businesses.
Sanford also will revive the school-choice debate, pushing a plan to give parents tax credits if they send their children to private schools.
These are two good issues. Eliminate the income tax on businesses and then coax the Big Three into leaving Michigan and relocating down here to business friendly South Carolina. That would be my move. I have my doubts that we’ll ever see the legislature approve this.
School choice is another great one to push. Let the parents choose where to send their child and let the tax money follow that child to that school. This is how it’s done in some European countries and it introduces competition and a better educative environment.
Sanford says his proposed reforms have failed because some lawmakers are profiting from the current system. Lawmakers are busy finding jobs for family members or landing clients for their businesses. The result, he said, is opposition to changes designed to make government more efficient.
