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South Carolina State of the State

There are some things that the State of South Carolina does pretty well, but there are areas that need work according to Gov. Mark Sanford. That's the situation he laid out at a state of the state luncheon today on Hilton Head Island. Sanford says the government's working on things like education and road work, but it's not a quick fix. In front of more than 300 South Carolinians, Gov. Sanford laid out his plans for the future of the Palmetto State.

He says one of the most telling statistics about where the Low Country stands is average income: Beaufort County is the only part of the entire state that ranks above the national average.

"Part of it is an entrepreneurial flair, with a lot of folks down here who've worked real hard to make a difference in this part of the state," Sanford said. "Part of it is a bunch of wealthy Yankees moved down and brought money with them and that's part of it too," he added wryly.

Part of Sanford's plan for fixing that is taking a little less out of everyone's paycheck, but charging more for every pack of cigarettes. Sanford thinks he's got a 50-50 shot at getting it passed. The governor says lowering the income tax by raising the tobacco tax isn't just a swap: it then allows for a three-to-one federal match.

"We think it's, again, something that makes a lot of sense," the governor said. "It would, over time, be a substantial tax cut to the South Carolina taxpayers."

Another way Sanford plans to save the state money is to streamline government. He says South Carolina has a dysfunctional system that needs to be completely revamped, and he's looking for ways to improve the education system but doesn't support a sales tax idea that's been floating around.

Reported by: Chris Cowperthwaite, ccowperthwaite@wtoc.com