a great debate
Just got in from a 2 hour debate with my opponent held at Tri-County Technical College. I want to thank Ms. Jennifer Beattie, Mr. Bob Peter, the faculty, & students for putting on an excellent open exchange of ideas. I don’t know of a stone that was left unturned as our agreements and differences were brought out. Practically every major issue from social to fiscal was covered. I had two questions that I could not accurately answer, so I’ll follow up this week:
1-Someone questioned my estimate of $10,000 per pupil per year in public education
2-Someone asked the percentage of the state budget goes to education
Senate incumbent, challenger debate at Tri-County Tech
From the question of abortion to the Anderson County 1-cent sales tax, the candidates were questioned by nearly two dozen citizens.
Meadors, a family physician in Anderson, proposed improved health care and support of public education as keystones of his term if elected to the senate.
Bryant said pork-barrel spending needs to be reigned in, which if done would provide money for the district’s needs, especially for infrastructure. Bryant also repeated his support for school vouchers and for opposing tax increases – unless there is a corresponding tax reduction.
Bryant listed a number of accomplishments since he was elected in 2004, including a law requiring the death penalty for sex offenders who molest children and co-sponsorship of a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman (which passed in 2006).
He also pointed to a bill that would give women having an abortion an option to view an ultrasound, and support of the replacement of property tax for schools with a sales tax.
“My commitment is to what comes out of your pocket,” Bryant said, and endorsed the idea that cutting taxes helped the economy.
Meadors cited a list of problems in the state, from high dropout rates to rising unemployment to high crime that need addressing.
“I promise you we can and will do better,” he said.
In discussing school vouchers, Meadors said he was opposed to tax credits and vouchers because they would harm public education. Bryant said he backs vouchers and credits, now set at $2,500 per pupil, because they give citizens the right to use their tax dollars as they decide.
When asked whether they would support the 1-cent sales tax Anderson County is proposing for infrastructure and developments, Bryant said he opposed it because there was no corresponding reduction in other taxes. Meadors said he would probably vote for the tax because of the need to fix roads and other infrastructure in the county.
In closing remarks, Bryant said he would continue try to improve government.
“I am committed to reforming the way we do business in Columbia,” Bryant said. He said he would “continue the movement for choice and competition. I trust government less now than I ever have.”
Meadors said Bryant had stated that government has grown 40 percent in the last four years, but reminded the audience that he wasn’t there when it grew that much.
“I’m not going to Columbia to make it bigger … but I am going to represent you and make it more effective,” Meadors said.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:29 am
We spend $11,400 per student. http://thevoiceforschoolchoice.wordpress.com/2008/03/25/house-promises-11400-per-child-5884-goes-to-bureaucrats/
In 2006-2007, the state spent 17.5% and 20.5% of the total budget on higher education and K-12 respectively, or 12.9% and 36.1% if you look only at appropriations from the general fund. http://www.bcb.sc.gov/BCB/docs/APPBYAGY-BCBwebpage.xls
September 30th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I regret not having attended this debate, since I was misinformed that it was a meeting, not a debate.
Based on the Independent-Mail article, it is interesting to note that Senator Bryant opposes the One Cent Sales Tax Anderson County is proposing for infrastructure and developments, while Dr. Meadors supports it.
Although the One Cent Sales Tax Project for upgrading our roads and bridges in Anderson County seemed to have gained strong support in the early stages, this support appears to be fading away. Many community residents are beginning to express the following concerns:
• Much of the County budget seems to be targeted into fluff and unnecessary projects, as the Broadway Community Center, rather than improving roads and bridges.
• A large porting of the anticipated revenue from this project is devoted to new roads, buildings, and parks, rather than repairing roads and bridges we already have.
• The level of openness and transparency in County government is much lower than desired.
• Until we have a clear understanding of how our money is being managed, we should not vote for any additional taxes.
September 30th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Art, don’t you claim to be an independent?
September 30th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Palmetto Conservative,
Yes, I am an independent. In addition, most of my posting on blogs is based on my observations of the political dialogue in the community. However, my ideology is moderate with liberal tendencies.
September 30th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
There’s nothing moderate or liberal in this:
• Much of the County budget seems to be targeted into fluff and unnecessary projects, as the Broadway Community Center, rather than improving roads and bridges.
• A large porting of the anticipated revenue from this project is devoted to new roads, buildings, and parks, rather than repairing roads and bridges we already have.
• The level of openness and transparency in County government is much lower than desired.
• Until we have a clear understanding of how our money is being managed, we should not vote for any additional taxes.
I welcome you.
September 30th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Palmetto Conservative,
Thank you for your welcome. However, I have a tendency to disappoint both conservative and liberal government observers, due to my love for examining both sides of every issue and changing my views based on what I find. I have been called weathervane numerous times.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:42 am
I think most of the time you are forthright with your assessments. I will not be voting for the pork laden sales tax increase. If it were for solid infrastructure projects and a different phase in our economic curve, I may consider it. But certainly not this time.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Psycho Conservative,
Most Anderson County residents seem to agree in principle that our roads and bridges are in serious need of upgrading. However, they remain puzzled by many of the special interest projects, which were added to the plan as political appeasement.
We need to go back to the drawing board. Both County budget and the One Cent Sales Tax list of projects need to be closely examined.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I agree Mr. Kaldas. Looks like you are starting to see the light. Welcome to the Republican Party!
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
Psycho Conservative,
Thank you for your kind words and willingness to welcome me to the Republican Party. However, caring about wise use of our tax money should not be only a Republican or a Democratic issue. It is an American issue.
October 9th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Her name is Jennifer Beattie, not Beatty. This was set up as a town hall rather than a traditional debate.
October 9th, 2008 at 8:58 am
mb, I changed the spelling.