Local state legislators will have their annual meeting with the public Jan. 11 in Six Mile.

Ideally, they’ll share their views on several problems that will be addressed in 2010 in Columbia.

The other side of the coin is for we, the public, to share our concerns with these lawmakers, giving them some kind of a priority list for them to address when work resumes in the Statehouse.

Rather than wait for the Jan. 11 meeting, we thought we would give our readers a chance to voice their opinion now. We ask “what should be the top priority for South Carolina Lawmakers in 2010.

The following are some issues we have listed at www.theeasleyprogress.com, but certainly not the only ones worthy of attention.

• Gov. Mark Sanford’s situation —Jenny Sanford has already made her feelings public, filing for divorce after the governor’s indiscretions with a woman from Argentina. Now it is time for the legislature to make their course of action known.

Most likely, the worse fate for Gov. Sanford would be a censure by the state lawmakers, although some still hope for a full impeachment. The problem seems to be that Sanford’s situation grabs the attention of all, including lawmakers, making progress in other areas (At least one of every 10 workers in the state are without a job right now) less likely to attract the attention they deserve. Some have suggested that the legislature address the issue immediately in 2010. Others, pointing to the state ethics commission finding Sanford’s offenses not serious of impeachment, feel lawmakers should put the matter aside and work together to solve problems that really matter.

• Attracting jobs — There’s nothing wrong with South Carolina’s economy that a few thousand jobs couldn’t solve. And tough economic times nationwide may make South Carolina a very attractive location for any industry considering relocating. The climate is ideal; there’s a large, loyal workforce available, and Unions are generally frowned upon in the state. But every state in the Union is competing for new industry, so it’s up to our lawmakers to make sure the state becomes as “business-friendly” as possible.

• School funding — Several years ago, a referendum passed that lowed property taxes by allowing more funding for education to come from sales taxes.

That seemed smart at the time, but in tough economic times, people buy less, meaning less sales taxes. How many times in the past 18 months have we seen the headline, “District to deal with more cuts in state funding?”

Education is sort of a sore spot for this state anyway. One joke in a national magazine said South Carolina has to keep its education level low, so that people do not realize how little of a chance they have of winning a Powerball drawing.

Whether that is fair or not really doesn’t matter. Image is reality sometimes, and selling prospective industries on an educated work force is difficult if the state’s national reputation is of one who looks toward education first when it comes time to balance the budget.

An effort needs to be made to keep the school funding constant — not necessarily greatly increased — from the time the state budget is passed until the next budget is formed.

• Lowering taxes — In memory of the late President Ronald Reagan, lowering taxes stimulates the economy. The theory is that private business and individuals will invest in expanding the economy if they are paying lower taxes. And the expanded economy would produce more overall tax revenue — at a lower rate — than the previous economy produced with higher taxes.

While there is still arguments over whether this theory is valid (the economy was pretty strong in the 1980s, wasn’t it?), legislators who are already struggling to balance the budget are not likely to lower any more taxes without at least a few rounds of spirited discussion.

• Other — There are many more issues out there that are not likely to receive attention. Here is your chance to make sure they do. If you vote, “Other,” please send us an email to brobinson@theeasleyprogress.com to identify your issue.

Also, send any comments you have to brobinson@theeasleyprogress.com. Please be sure to let us know if we can use your name with your comments in next week’s Easley Progress.