We have finally wrapped up the Charter School Bill, and thanks to the good work of Sen. Courson, Sen. Hayes, and the resistance of our Caucus some of the previous “miscommunications” have been removed.
On another front, I was proud to join some of my colleagues and the Governor in a press conference to announce the introduction of the Taxpayers’ Empowerment Amendment. This legislation will allow voters to decide in November whether they want government spending capped at the rate of population growth plus inflation. I will bring you more details on this legislation in the coming weeks as it moves through the Senate. Below is a link to the full text of this resolution:
http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/1090.htm
Also, you may want to look at a recent editorial:
http://www.charleston.net/stories/?newsID=67918§ion=editorials
I look forward to hearing from you on this and any other matter. Keep in touch.
The TEA really needs to pass…
It’s a common sense proposal that will do this state a world of good!
Kevin,
I do not support an amendment to the constitution that caps spending at population growth plus inflation. At the same time I resent the characterization of my view as a “fan of Big Government.” I am not a fan of Big Government. I do not think we should lock ourselves in constitutionally to an artificial amount for government services today when we have no idea what the needs will be in the future. Any one can run for office on a platform of lower taxes. That’s a no brainer. The really creative representative will first determine where the needs are for a quality of life in our state that truly represents progress and a decent standard of living for all. Then he or she will work to find ways to provide the resources needed to provide those services. Surely there is waste that we can eliminate. But surely there are also unmet needs which go begging for resources. Talk to me about taxes after we have surveyed the needs for educating all our children to a standard that will mean that SC is not just a p
I’m with you on eminent domain but not on property tax elimination. I believe the appraisal system can be adjusted to reduce the hardship on some folks. Indexing that to some reasonable standard of growth makes sense. Add taxes on cigarettes for health care and on gasoline for roads and bridges also makes sense to me. Be creative, don’t just beat the lower taxes drum. That’s a monotonous sound to me.
Sounds to me like you do prefer “big Government”. You liberals talk about underfunding of the Education system and health care, but how much is to much?
If I am not mistaken Education and Health care consume over 50% of our state budget, and even more if you take into account what our local school boards take from us.
Property tax elimination will put the local gov’t on the same page as our state gov’t. You can’t spend more than you take in. Currently, local gov’ts can just raise taxes, either by taking the reassement windfall or raising millage rates. It will make them accountable.
I never hear you liberals talking about prioritizing spending in education. Less than 50% of the dollars collected goes to the classroom. But you know that, you were an educator.
Don’t fault the Senator for talking about lower taxes. He believes it and is working for it. Others may talk the talk, but Kevin Bryant walks the walk.