Minority Democrats in the Legislature accuse the Governor of putting a big spin on state government finances and programs in his State of the State message. The Governor has talked of the state building a modest surplus, of creating thousands of jobs, and of having a better business climate. House Minority Leader Jeff Harris of Columbia says the jobs claim is bogus, that the business climate is still weak, and the surplus was created by hurting a lot of people last year. Republicans say the state has gained jobs, that the unemployment rate is down. Democrats say the state is lagging behind the national recovery.
