To watch the full-length video of the Aiken Standard's interview with Gov. Mark Sanford, scroll down or click here.
With just over a year and one legislative session left in his two-term tenure as governor, Mark Sanford wants the public to get involved in trying to get meaningful change enacted in state government.
The governor spoke at the Aiken Kiwanis Club on Thursday and later met with editors and reporters at the Aiken Standard.
The reason he's touring the state, Sanford told Kiwanis members, is to urge every person to talk to other people and continue that process as a way to get the Legislature to move on government restructuring, to remove budget authority from the Budget and Control Board and to put an end to electing all or most constitutional officers.
"Between now and the next session, you can make a remarkable difference," Sanford said.
He drew a laugh when he pointed out that few people could identify the five members of the Budget and Control Board (he's one of them). South Carolina is the only state with such a board, which has the authority to cut the state budget in mid-year, based on economic forecasts.
"How much accountability is there in a group of five people you don't know?" Sanford asked. "The fundamental flaw is that the buck stops nowhere."
Shortly after the Kiwanis meeting, the S.C. Supreme Court ruled that an ethics investigation related to Sanford's travel can be made public. According to the Associated Press, the ruling can clear the way for legislators looking at impeachment to review a report on the probe. Following his admission in June of a relationship with an Argentinian woman, Sanford's travel expenses have undergone scrutiny from the media and lawmakers of his own Republican party.
Sanford's lawyers argue that the governor should have the chance to respond first before an upcoming report on a State Ethics Commission criminal investigation is released to the S.C. House. Later in the day, Sanford stated his position on that issue, using similar arguments he made on his last visit to Aiken several weeks ago.
Every governor in recent history has used business class on airlines for state travel, he said, as has the Department of Commerce secretary and senior members of his staff. A legislative audit committee looked into those issues and found no material wrongdoing. No one knew they were breaking any laws, said Sanford. Ironically, he added, his own travel budget is 70 percent less than that of his predecessors.
"We have always been for complete transparency," Sanford said. "But the preliminary report doesn't tell you anything, just a recap of the headlines. ... It's like the prosecution is giving its case, but I don't get to tell my side of the story."
After his admission of adultery, Sanford said he was horribly embarrassed and did consider resigning, as many legislators and the members of the public were asking him to do. That would have been the easier course, but his friends encouraged him to stay in office to see whether he could help make the needed changes in the government structure.
Other topics covered during the day included the Savannah River Site and public education. Sanford called the decision in Washington not to open the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada a huge mistake that hurts SRS. He called that action nothing more than the kind of politics that the Obama administration had promised to avoid.
SRS "has always been a national dumping site," Sanford said.
On the issue of public education, the governor said there is no chance that the General Assembly will repeal or revise Act 388, the property tax reform measure that shifted property tax funding for K-12 education to the state. The economic downturn has cost school districts millions of dollars in the past two years, although stimulus money resulted in a revenue loss of less than 1 percent, Sanford contends.
But any changes in Act 388 will only occur when the economy improves, he said. Legislators won't reverse a structure now that could result in tax increases for property owners.
He supports merit pay for teachers but argues there is little chance of significant improvement in the public schools without extended choice options, such as tuition tax credits or vouchers.
"Change won't happen without market consequences," Sanford said.
Asked about his effectiveness as governor, he said that will be determined over time by people impacted by the policies of his administration. Sanford cited his work in pushing through tax cuts, tort reform efforts, the land set aside for conservation, the needed changes at the Department of Motor Vehicles and other agencies.
The state does have high unemployment, caused in part by people moving to South Carolina from other hard-hit states, "but we have 6,000 more people working today than we did six-and-a-half years ago," Sanford said.
Watch the full interviewwith Gov. Mark Sanford
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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Comment Title:
So why did you post if you are so bored?
Posted by: cc On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: Former Sanford supporter
Sanford should be brought out just like anyone else should be if caught in a mess like he was. He is a big liar and you know it. I voted for his arogant a-- and regret it big time! Im not judging him i am simply stating what he have proven to be...a liar and a cheater. Dont generalize it cause it is what it is.
Posted by: Former Republican On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: Oh, GROAN
Geez, who would in their right mind, waste their time with this, this, man?
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title:
Kindly answer why he voted against the breast cancer stamp. Hatred no. Disgust yes. I suggest that you not make judgment of people you don't know. My you stated that I am lonely and angry, that really is absurd. Now lets get back to you pal Sanford, again my knowledgeable friend why did he mess around with other women, cheat and lie to the people of South Carolina, and again not vote for the breast cancer stamp in support of breast cancer research? Come now kindly answer.
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title:
And if wants to be in Argentina then so be it. You are a judgemental small mineded soul apparently. I personally don't care if the stimulu maney is in SC or not. I don't want our state in debt any more than we already are. But if it's coming and he see it's delegated correctly as I feel sure he will now, then it will be what it is. If you have substantial information to share then go for it but stop showing your hatred for the governor and apparently anyone that disagrees with you. It must be lonely in your world. There are two sides to everything, why not stop judging and look at both sides before you open your mouth. You may learn something.
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title:
Perfect. Let's see why did he vote against the BREAST CANCER STAMP during his first in congress? Why did he attempt to bar the stimulus money to come into the state? Why did he "bang" not only his Argentina soul mate, but according to Sanford himself had other "soul mates". Why did push to have Clinton resign or impeached from office, yet he is fighting and refusing to leave office. Shall I continue? Quite simply he is a liar, a fraud and an embarrassment to the good people of South Carolina. One other point, mark my words this "gentleman" will leave for Argentina right after he is either thrown out of office or finishes his term.
Posted by: Bruce On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: stimulus funds in Aiken
Stimulus funds are coming to Aiken County to help some of our youngest residents get better prepared for entry into their educational world. Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are coming to the local Head Start office to allow for the enrollment of 41 new students into the program. The new students are divided between the Aiken office and the Gloverville center. With an allowance of $300,000 per year for the two years of the grant, the local Head Start office will be able to help children on the waiting list for services. Head Start's mission statement says it "is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families." www.aikenstandard.com
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title:
Who knows what it could do for Aiken, who controls the purse strings around here?
Posted by: On: 11/5/2009
Comment Title:
You liberals are sad little folks. Tell me one worthwhile thing the stimulus money has done for Aiken?
Posted by: On: 11/5/2009
Comment Title:
Let me guess.....you are perfect and have never done anything wrong? Answer yes, and you should run for Govenor since you are so perfect. Name me a politician that hasn't done what this man has or worse!!! You can't - there isn't one! Focus on what he has or hasn't done for our state because seriously, that is really the only thing that is important. He's not a bum, he's human! If he used our states funds and his position inappriately, then he will be punished. Still, no need for you or anyone to add insult to injury! At least HE is still trying to do his.
Posted by: On: 11/5/2009
Comment Title:
Just like Sneaky joe Wilson, this bum sneaks into town. Do us all a favor and get out of town. Better yet go back to Argentina.
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