WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | (1-21-04) What do you want to hear from Gov. Sanford in Wednesday night's State of the State Address?

(1-21-04) What do you want to hear from Gov. Sanford in Wednesday night's State of the State Address?

What do you want to hear from Gov. Sanford in Wednesday night's State of the State Address?

• jm, lexington:
  The truth.  Where the money went?  What large tax breaks are out there to big corporations that are syphoning the state's budget?  Why are working, low paid, lower-level state employees laid off without corresponding cuts in higher paid, management level positions?  Why are there so many lobbyists in this state (and greedy politicians with their hands out to them)?  How our legislature can meet for so many months and even extra sessions, get paid for this, and accomplish absolutely nothing? Why are these same legislators seemingly totally mystified by being called "clowns" in view of this?  Can he name one, just one accomplishment of his administration that has benefited the people of South Carolina?   Why, with Republicans controlling virtually every branch of government, can they not agree on anything?  Finally, why we shouldn't vote out every incumbent in sight next election in this state?
• rg, columbia:
  get the homeless off the street a daytime shelter for the homeless   job,s  more shelters for the homeless  health care for homeless
• tg, florence:
  What do I expect to hear? The same dribble as always: promises,ideas,plans but nothing really of value. If Gov.Sanford and the SC house/senate really want to make a difference then make the hard choice. Cut the state budget by the 350-400 million shortfall. If this means eliminating programs or departments that is the price we must pay. If it means layoffs then layoffs it must be. The simple fact is if a family has a cut in income then they cut out the cable, they cut back on groceries, they eliminate costs or dont spend. We should hold the SC goverment to the same standard. Yes it will be painful. But it should be the same across the board regardless of agency or department. To often politicans have "pet programs" that they wont touch. Perhaps the governor and legislature should remember that the taxpayers of SC are the real "pets". If they cant make the hard choice and cut the budget then we will have to make the hard choice and in the words of Donald Trump tell them "your fired".
• CB, aiken:
  Employers cut 22,400 jobs in South Carolina last year, the first time the state’s overall jobs have fallen three years in a row since the Great Depression. Continuing losses among manufacturers were the biggest reason for the declines, putting 15,100 South Carolinians out of work in 2003, based on average monthly employment. Hello what about the state employees? Let welfare take care of them the govenor needs to wake up!!

• LG, Ballentine:
  Explain why the $7500 per year for 10 years for national certification along with another $5000 per year from some school districts is justified for teachers!  Oh, I also believe the districts also pay for the $2500 or so application fee for certification. That's $12,500 additional monies per year for ten years over their annual salaries.  I'd like him to realize and compensate accordingly all state employees  for the education required, continuing training necessary, and commitment the
  non-teaching state employees are doing.   State employees, other than teachers, are tired of taking the hit with no salary increases, cutbacks, increased workloads, etc. all twelve months of the year--not just the nine months of school.  What amazes me is that current employees in non-teaching state jobs are being taxed additionally by some school districts and the state to pay for national certification bonuses because of the promise of a better education for our children.   Bonuses shouldn't be guaranteed!  This should be the first items to be placed on hold until the budget crisis is over in South Carolina.   Needless, to say, it'll be interesting to see how the Governor approaches our continuing crisis in the state and nation.   Hey, it's not any sour grapes on my part--I'm just tired of taxes or added fees for services which I have no control over.

• JP, Sumter:
  I want to hear how we are going to trim another 350 million dollars from our budget.  I also want to know why the schools are providing free (to the student) heart screening for sports... The student should be required to bring a health certificate from his doctor at his expense or they do not play.  This additional cost has nothing to do with academic subjects and is going to cost a fortune in homeowner taxes. Just remember, renters, I and other owners raise the rent every time Richland 1 raises taxes.  They raise taxes $200.00 a year, I raise rent $350.00 so there is no free ride there.

• GG, Columbia:
  I would like to hear about a legislative proposal for a revamping of the lottery division of funds.  Taking a percentage or two each from the jackpot and operators expenses and directing those funds directly in to the K-12 education system.  The foundation for education is needed more than the lottery scholarships that can't be obtained because of elementary education problems.  Taking another percentage or two out of the same areas to be placed in the budget to help erase the shortfall. Another proposal I would like to hear about is a substantial increased in the cigarette tax to help pay for medicare funding in South Carolina.

• BW, West Columbia:
  I know it's not going to happen but it would be nice to hear that all the senators and representatives will not be getting paid this legislative session nor receiving reimbursement for mileage, room, etc. until we have a balanced budget. I bet in a short while solution(s) will be found and there won't be a budget crisis anymore. This too will give them a little taste of how it feels not to be getting paid like all the state employees that have been laid off. Reinstatement of video poker should be explored as well. Like the lottery this is just another form of gambling so if the lottery is legal then so should be video poker. The lottery can be just as addictive as video poker.

• DT, West Columbia:
  I want to hear the governor’s solution to the state budget crisis.  I want to hear specifics on where the cuts will come and where the money will be found to make up the shortfall.  What I don’t want to hear – but expect – is a speech full of proposals and programs seemingly designed to please each constituency, as if everyone can expect something from state government and nobody will have to pay for it.  I think this kind of speech is at its core dishonest and would be particularly inappropriate this year given the state’s budget shortfall.  I know it goes against political instinct, but how about a little honesty instead of promising everyone everything they want?  How about telling us how we’ll pay for what we already have?

• JK, chapin:
  I want to hear what he promised before he got elected, help the state employees.

• JP, Columbia:
  The governor should demand that the first and only issue before the state legislature is the budget until it is balanced with across the board cuts and passed. The legislature seems determined to cause another extended session that will cost the taxpayers more money for nothing. Education should be cut equally with other programs.