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| ISSUES |
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| BUSINESS REFORMS |
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We have already begun to see positive progress in the areas of tort reform and workers
compensation reform; the recent DUI debate, however, proves that there is still
much work to be done in reforming the General Assembly.
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Our state tax system needs to be reformed, too. Our rates are too high, not only
compared to other neighboring states, but compared to states around the nation.
Our state income tax rate ranks among the top ten highest in the country, while
our sales tax remains above the national average. We must relieve the tax burden
on hard working South Carolinians and our state’s businesses to produce greater
job growth in high-skill, high-wage segments of our economy.
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Our workers compensation system has been improved by the recent reform bill, but
steps remain to be taken to improve the system, including adopting standards that
will remove junk science from the courtroom. These important reforms will mean that
more South Carolinians find the good jobs they are seeking, because companies of
all sizes will be able to hire more people to expand their business. |
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EDUCATION REFORM |
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Our children need to be prepared to compete in our current global economy. We no
longer just compete with other states throughout country, but with countries around
the world. To make the next generation competitive in this economy, we must provide
them with a world class, cutting edge education that prepares them to compete on
a global scale. We need to seriously rethink the way we fund and deliver education
in our state. Studies show only 48% of K-12 funding in our state budget actually
reaches the classroom. The rest is lost in the morass of Columbia bureaucracy and
administrative costs—this is unacceptable. For a state that consistently ranks near
the bottom in high school graduation rates and SAT scores, we need to stop doing
what has been working and make real change for our children.
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There must be multiple facets of any education reform: changing the way we test,
while holding to accountability standards; changing the way our bureaucracy runs,
to facilitate more money reaching the classroom; and providing free market reforms
that will leverage the assets of the private sector to improve education at all
levels. |
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| GOVERNMENT REFORMS |
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Our state government costs 30% more than the national average – for every $1.30
we pay in government, we still only get $1 in government service. According to the
Governor’s Office, more than 18% of our income goes to fund state government and
we have 34% more government employees than the average state. These statistics show
we have an antiquated governmental structure that dates back to the 1890s. Republicans
have been working to restructure our state government since Carroll Campbell was
Governor, but many of those efforts have been stalled by the “Good Old Boy” network.
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By streamlining government and consolidating executive branch authority, we can
increase efficiency in government and save taxpayers money. This will mean lower
tax bills and a government more responsive to the needs of its citizens. |
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Even with a Republican controlled Legislature, state government spending has grown
faster than our ability to pay for it. I will stand up to even those in my own party
to cut spending and reduce our tax burden. I will fight to implement such reforms
as ending taxpayer funded lobbyist, work to stop pork-laden earmarks in the budget
and make it law to cap the rate of government spending. |
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| IMMIGRATION REFORM |
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The Federal government has continually failed to provide solutions for the illegal
immigration crisis our nation faces. Unfortunately, that means that states like
ours have to take steps to solve this crisis in a way that protects our economy
and our culture, but preserves our compassion. While recognizing we are a nation
of immigrants, in the end, “illegal” means “illegal”, and if we are to remain a
nation of laws, we must protect the rule of law by enforcing the law.
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The most effective approach that is before our state’s General Assembly would mandate
the use of the English language on all state forms. English is the common bond that
holds our nation together. We are a people of immigrants from all over the globe,
but once we come to America, the English language serves to help unite us as one
nation, and allows assimilation into American culture. |
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Another effective reform I will work for is to bar illegal immigrants from receiving
state benefits, employment or contract work. We must remove the incentives for illegal
immigrants to come here in the first place. With Georgia and other neighboring states
passing or considering similar bills, South Carolina will have to act on this crisis,
or risk becoming an illegal immigrant magnet.
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