South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), who has clashed with the Republican-controlled Legislature in the past over what he saw as its reckless spending, told lawmakers Jan. 14 that with the recession the state needed to rein in spending. In his seventh state of the state address, Sanford pushed for limiting spending growth to the rate of population growth and inflation. He also proposed creating more jobs by phasing out the corporate income tax, to be paid for by ending some economic development incentives. He also wants to give South Carolinians the option of a flat income tax of 3.65 percent (if residents forgo deductions), which would be funded by increasing landfill dumping fees and raising the cigarette tax — currently the nation’s lowest at 7 cents — to 37 cents per pack.
He called for private school vouchers and for charter schools to be funded equally with other public schools.
A vocal opponent of the federal economic stimulus package, Sanford also urged lawmakers to reject the federal money.
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