News 12 at 6 o'clock; January 14, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. --- South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford says tonight's State of the State Address paints a "somber assessment" of our economy...but he has a plan for brighter days ahead.

Governor Sanford is not afraid to admit what he calls the obvious. "We're in a tough spot that's going to get worse," says the Governor today at a news conference previewing his State of the State Address, set for 7pm.

But with the worst news may come some good. "It may force changes that are long overdue in South Carolina," Gov. Sanford said.

"I think the people will see a very somber assessment," he says. "On where the economy is and where it is heading."

That statement, on the hells of some sombering news in Barnwell County, where another big company is about to shut it's doors. That is the second big company to leave the area in the last year.

"Probably one of the biggest problems we have in that corridor is education performance," says Gov. Sanford. That's why he is looking at another idea tonight, giving you a choice on where your kids go to school.

"We talk about choice within the public schools and choice outside of the public schools," says the Governor. That also includes Gov. Sanford making a push for tax breaks to send kids to private schools.

Senator Greg Ryberg chimes in. "All of us are different," says the Senator. "Some people do better in public education, but some of them really need a private setting."

This news while every state agency in South Carolina faced big cuts recently, with more expected in the future. So now Governor Sanford is calling for spending limits.

Senator Shane Massey says, "if we had this in place a few years back, we'd probably be in a better position than we are now."

All three of these politicians say bad news now, but things will hopefully come back soon. "It will in time," says Gov. Sanford. "But, it will be a little bit of time."

Again, the Governor will give his State of the State Address tonight at 7PM. You can catch that on SC ETV.