The Worst Governors in America

[MikesLogic]

Mark Sanford {sodEmoji.{sodEmoji.|}} South Carolina

Business leaders are losing patience with Sanford's vetoes of budget items like trade centers and tourism marketing.

We made the list, we have a knack for being on the wrong end of most lists! I remember getting an earful from a friend when I was telling him my dislikes with Sanford, it seems I'm not alone in my assessments of our governor.

---

Just noticed the P&C had an article about this also:

[url="http://www.charleston.net/stories/?newsID=51435

[krazeeboi]

I started to post this article, but I couldn't find the entire thing. I find it very interesting that our state government recently got a grade of "B" (we recieved an "A" in the money category) but supposedly Sanford is one of the nation's worst governors. I'm not sure what criteria was used, but the only thing cited in the article as "proof" is the state's S&P rating being downgraded and the Airbus plant not choosing Charleston. While the S&P rating being downgraded isn't a good thing, I don't think it's fair to lay all of the blame on Sanford--not to mention that the office of governor doesn't have as much authority vested in it as that of other states. As far as the Airbus plant is concerned, it pretty much came down to location, and Mobile's was more favorable than Charleston's. This article in The State newspaper pretty much summed it up by saying "South Carolina offered Airbus a North Charleston site within six miles of one of the nation

[MikesLogic]

I agree all blame cannot be laid on the Governor for our current state of affairs. One thing is certain though he has been behind many economic incentive vetoes since he's been in office. His intentions are good but the way he goes about things has me on edge.

[Spartan]

I wouldn't take too much stock in what Time Magazine has to say about this. Sanford ranks high on other lists. I personally think he is a fine governor.

What the article does not say is that the Legislature runs this state. They set the budget and they make their own pork projects. You have to take things like that into account.

[krazeeboi]

^My sentiments exactly Spartan. Personally, I like his "frugality" and the fact that he asks the crucial questions that others often do not ask (e.g., ICAR).

[Charleston native]

Spartan, as usual, you hit the nail on the head. Time magazine has an agenda these days, so it is hard to imagine them coming up with this list with pure objectivity. Also, the Legislature does have way too much power in this state, and since the governor is a single representative of SC, whatever mistakes the legislature makes will be attributed to him.

I rated him with a Fair job performance because I believe he's done well in being frugal, but sometimes I think he's a little too frugal. Also, I agree with you Mike, vetoing the economic incentives for SC was not a good idea. One of the governor's prime concerns should getting SC into a more prestigious state financially and economically; at least getting the state comparable to our neighbors such as GA, FL, and NC.

[MikesLogic]

[url="http://www.charleston.net/stories/?newsID=51634

[krazeeboi]

OK, so can we hear from at least one person who voted "Poor"? I'm sure at least half of you are from Greenville.

[krazeeboi]

Chickens.

But here's an editorial that presents a picture that we've been speaking of here:

Third-worst governor? Try worst Legislature

[Spartan]

Excellent editorial.

Those that voted poor could be people from out of the state that just base their opinion on what is said in time magazine.

[GvilleSC]

I'm from Greenville and I certainly did NOT vote poor thank you very much.

[Skyliner]

Sanford is not the best man for the job, but he is doing better than Hodges. We need a large selection of candidates to choose from next year. I most likely won't vote for Mark Sanford.

[krazeeboi]

I do agree that we need a larger and a BETTER selection of candidates.

Speaking of our Legislature, I learned today in my organic evolution class that Sen. Mike Fair is trying to get a bill passed to redefine science in SC (like they did in Kansas and other states) so as to allow the intelligent design theory taught in science classrooms. Now I'm not arguing for or against that here, but if our legislators would have had the passion to introduce other measures that have had positive economic benefits in other states, we wouldn't have the third highest unemployment rate in this country.

Our Legislature sucks, big time.

[vicupstate]

Chickens.

But here's an editorial that presents a picture that we've been speaking of here:

Third-worst governor? Try worst Legislature

Thanks for posting krazeeboi, I had missed this.

I agree with every word of that editorial.

Our Legislature sucks, big time.

True indeed, but a vast understatement.

[Charleston native]

Chickens.

But here's an editorial that presents a picture that we've been speaking of here:

Third-worst governor? Try worst Legislature

That editorial is dead on. Thanks for posting that. I especially read with interest the part that talked about eliminating or reducing the state income tax and property taxes. If the legislature got their head out of their butts, they would realize that by stifling these pro-business-growth incentives, they are keeping SC out of competition with the rest of the Southeastern states.

[krazeeboi]

Here's another somewhat balanced editorial on Gov. Sanford.

You know what? In a way, I'm really glad that Time gave Sanford the press that it did. It's really forcing all of us to take a look at what's working in this state and what's not. As long as most folks don't take buy into the partisanship that some of our politicians are perpetuating, we can possibly begin to see some real change.

[Charleston native]

Here's another somewhat balanced editorial on Gov. Sanford.

You know what? In a way, I'm really glad that Time gave Sanford the press that it did. It's really forcing all of us to take a look at what's working in this state and what's not. As long as most folks don't take buy into the partisanship that some of our politicians are perpetuating, we can possibly begin to see some real change.

Again, great editorial Krazee. The main point in it that caught my attention was where they talked about how the governor and business leaders are trying to create business clusters. I think that is already starting to happen with Chas in bringing the airplane and car plants, and from other developments I've read, it will happen in Cola and G'ville with emphasis on certain technologies. Charleston's unemployment rate was already the lowest in the state and continues to decline. If these clusters are successful, these rate declines will occur across the state.

IMO, I think this state will boom if the government will abolish the state income tax and reduce property taxes, only raising a state sales tax. Look at Florida.

[vicupstate]

IMO, I think this state will boom if the government will abolish the state income tax and reduce property taxes, only raising a state sales tax. Look at Florida.

It is not realistic to do both. At the moment, it is not realistic to do either. The state has underfunded Public Safety and Corrections, just to name two, for many years now. Many of the Trust Funds have been robbed just to make ends meet. Things are getting better, but the state is not out of the woods yet.

As for Florida, they have a much higher level of tourism to augment the state treasury. They also don't have the poverty or incarceration rates that SC has. They also charge impact fees and/or charges to developers to expand highways. For the most part, SC does not.

Their property taxes are higher than SC as well. Jacksonville charges $19-20 per $1,000 of home value, minus a 50,000 homestead excemption. There are no other credits against that like the SC's Local Option Sales Tax or School taxes credit. On the other hand, FL does not tax autos or boats.

Jacksonville's rate is at the low end of the property tax scale, Orlando, Miami and virtually every other major city in FL is significantly more.

Corporate Income Taxes are levied in FL (5.5% vs. 5.0% in SC).

Don't get me wrong, the overall tax burden in FL is lower, but they don't get a free ride.

[Spartan]

Florida has a lot more tourists to supposrt that sales tax than SC has. Their arrangement lets the tourists support the state.