© 2003, Rotary Club of Charleston

P.O. Box 21029
Charleston, SC 29413-1029

Club secretary:
Carroll Schweers
chasrot@comcast.net

Sanford discuss state of the state
Politician stressed need to work together on issues

APRIL 6, 2004 - Governor Mark Sanford began his "state of the state" address to our Club by referencing the movie "Radio," a true story about how a small South Carolina town embraces a mentally challenged individual after the high school football coach takes an interest in him and gives him unofficial roles with the team. Sanford said that the movie "sums up the attitude in South Carolina" that "we are all in this boat together."

Sanford said that we must use such unity to work together on the tough issues facing our State at this time. According to Sanford, those issues include the loss of jobs overseas and resulting unemployment at home, the inequitable taxation of small businesses in this State, a drastically outdated structure of State government, and a crisis in education caused in part by budget shortages and an excess of administrators.

On the issue of taxation of small businesses, Sanford said that we have the highest effective taxation rate of any southeastern state. While large companies in this State are taxed at 5%, small businesses pay 7% in taxes per Sanford. A bill on this issue has recently passed in the House and is pending in the State Senate. The bill would lower the tax rate for small businesses to 5% over a 10 year period, resulting in parity. Sanford suggested that lowering this tax rate will spur job growth and encourage corporate relocation to South Carolina.

Sanford said that in addressing these various challenges, we need to be more innovative in the current, competitive business climate, while maintaining "what is special about South Carolina," and while "staying connected as a State."

In other business…

Johnny Jordan gave the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Jim Bowron welcomed our guests and visiting Rotarians. Richard Horne offered Health and Happiness. John Milkreit announced a dedication at Fraser Elementary. Anita Zucker inducted our two newest members, Jermaine Husser and Paul Welborn. Finally, Jim Geffert introduced our speaker, Governor Mark Sanford.

-- Amy Jenkins