I’ve said from the beginning, we’ve got to stop putting teachers in the back of the line for education funding. On Thursday, October 23rd, I supported an amendment that took 24 million dollars from our unnecessary agency, the SC Budget & Control Board. This amendment took 24m’s from this board and sent 22 million dollars to fully restore the original EFA cuts. EFA funds go straight to the classroom. Well, you guessed it, politics won over principle and we lost that battle.
SC Government continues to pour tons of your tax dollars into ineffective, irresponsible boondoggles and leaves essential services behind. BTW, this amendment restored cuts to fund electronic monitoring of sexual predators and investigative agents of abused children.
I voted against H. 5300 because of my suspicion that the cuts toward Pardon, Probation, & Parole may result in over 70 sexual predators going without electronic monitoring. I supported the Ryberg amendment that would have restored this funding and guaranteed funding of the monitoring program. Out of a budget containing several billion dollars, this amount is a small fraction, however, we cannot take the chance on allowing these predators to go unmonitored and our children fall prey. The Ryberg amendment also restored funding to DSS’s Child Protective Services, which essentially is responsible for investigating circumstances in which children may be in an abusive home. And lastly, the Ryberg amendment sent $22 million back to education. These funds are taken from $24 million of carry-forward funds from the Budget & Control Board. I can’t fathom, the priority given to surplus monies in an agency that many will agree we can do without entirely.
I came very close to voting in favor of this bill. House and Senate Leadership took on a great challenge of finding out how to compensate for a $500 million shortage. If you would like to see the final ax-job, you can view a summary by clicking here.
I must maintain that we are in this special emergency session because if rampant irresponsibility in doling out billions of surplus dollars in previous years in pork-barrel earmarks. During the budget debates of ‘05, ‘06, & ‘07 I and other conservatives submitted amendments to carve out hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks to go toward more responsible items such as one-time road funds, one- time tax rebates, funding OPEB (our unfunded liability escalating over $10 billion), or withholding funds for this rainy day.
I have joined Gov. Sanford and other conservatives previously to prevent today, yet these chickens have finally come home to roost. There is a growing movement of reform in Columbia, and I hope to return to continue this charge.
South Carolinians will consider three constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot. Voters may find this year’s constitutional questions somewhat confusing — as usual — but certainly not controversial.
The proposals each deserve a “Yes” vote.
Amendment I would delete an age-of-consent constitutional provision that serves little or no purpose. The state constitution sets the age of consent to sex at 14 years of age in South Carolina. Deleting that provision would give the Legislature the power to set the age of consent. But the fact is — and here’s where things get slightly confusing — the Legislature already possesses the power to raise the age of consent and already has done so — putting the age of consent in most cases at 16. (Exceptions are made under the so-called “Romeo Clause” — in cases where teens, 14-18, have consensual sex.)
The state Supreme Court ruled in 1936 that the constitutional provision setting the age of consent at 14 doesn’t prevent the Legislature from moving the age of consent up to 16 and establishing criminal penalties for violating the law.
The constitutional consent provision, however, would prevent the Legislature from setting the age of consent lower than 14 years old — but that is extremely unlikely to occur.
In short, this dated constitutional provision is unnecessary. The power to set the age of consent should rest unambiguously with the Legislature. A “Yes” vote would delete the section from the Constitution setting the age of consent at 14.
Amendment 2 concerns trust funds set up to provide health benefits for retired state workers and teachers. A “Yes” vote would allow state government to invest some of the trust fund money in stocks. In a tumultuous time for the stock market — with many people seeing painful losses in investments and their 401(k) retirement plans — voters may be reluctant to support this amendment as well as Amendment 3. But the fact remains that, over time, stocks historically have proven to provide significantly higher returns than more conservative investments.
Allowing the state to have more investment options for these trust funds could boost returns, helping to ensure the future solvency of the funds while also reducing risk through greater diversification.
Currently, the funds can invest generally in low-yielding financial instruments but not stocks. Those two funds are the S.C. Retiree Health Insurance Trust Fund, with a current balance of $348 million, and the S.C. Long-Term Disability Trust Fund, with $28.6 million.
Voters about 10 years ago recognized that the state’s pension system needed the freedom to invest in stocks in order to reap higher investment returns. This amendment simply allows the same opportunities for the health-care trust funds. As in the case with the state pension system, trust fund money would be invested by professional money managers under the supervision of the State Investment Commission.
The trust funds replaced an earlier pay-as-you-go system whereby state retiree health benefits came directly from the state’s general budget. Setting aside money in trust funds was a more fiscally responsible way of providing future retiree benefits.
Amendment 3 is the same as Amendment 2 except it applies to health benefits for local government retirees. A “Yes” vote would allow a portion of trust fund money for these retirees to be invested in stocks — helping to ensure the long-term solvency of the funds.
CONTACT: Wendy Homeyer, 803-254-1476 or Todd Pack, 615-872-5897
State legislators consistently supports state’s entrepreneurs, family-run businesses
NFIB/South Carolina State Director Wendy Homeyer and state Rep. Mike Gambrell
NFIB/South Carolina State Director Wendy Homeyer and state Sen. Kevin Bryant
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Federation of Independent Business, South Carolina’s leading small business association, has presented Guardian of Small Business awards to Sen. Kevin Bryant and Rep. Mike Gambrell. Sen. Bryant represents Anderson County, and Rep. Gambrell’s district includes parts of Abbeville and Anderson counties.
The Guardian of Small Business award is the most prestigious honor that NFIB bestows on legislators in recognition of their efforts to support small business issues. NFIB/South Carolina’s Leadership Council voted to present the award to Sen. Bryant and Rep. Gambrell for their work in this year’s legislative session.
“Following last year’s tragic warehouse fire in Charleston, in which nine firefighters died, some members of the Legislature wanted to require sprinkler systems in every home and nearly every business in South Carolina,” said Wendy Homeyer, state director of NFIB/South Carolina.
“Under this legislation, homeowners and businesses also faced inflated water tap fees,” she said. “Local governments wanted to use these fees to fund other infrastructure projects they otherwise couldn’t afford.
“It was an emotional issue, but Senator Bryant and Representative Gambrell, himself a former local fire chief, understood that the bill, as written, would have placed an unfair burden on homeowners and small businesses,” Homeyer said. “They opposed mandatory sprinklers for private homes and fought to stop local governments from preying on defenseless taxpayers by charging exorbitant tap fees. Senator Bryant and Representative Gambrell changed the bill so that tap fees can’t exceed the actual cost of providing the water line.”
“Small business owners are fortunate to have strong defenders such as Kevin Bryant and Mike Gambrell in the Legislature,” Homeyer said. “NFIB/South Carolina is pleased to recognize their efforts by presenting them with Guardian of Small Business awards.”
Since the beginning, Senator Kevin Bryant has been a voice for family values like the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage. He’s been relentless for less government and lower taxes. He’s been a champion for reform in education and his constituents appreciate his servant leadership. Remember to vote for our values. Re-elect Senator Kevin Bryant.
Tax & spend liberals constantly stonewall to keep you from knowing how your money is spent. Senator Kevin Bryant is fighting for open government. He wants you to see online where your money is going. Transparency makes government honest and Senator Bryant will make government more accountable to you, the taxpayer.
Below is a letter to the University hand delivered by our office last week. It is a request for information concerning William Ayer’s visits to the University. I recieved a detailed response this morning. Here’s a pdf of my letter
October 8, 2008
Dr. Harris Pastides University of South Carolina Columbia, SC29208
Dear Dr. Harris Pastides,
I have been contacted by constituents who have serious concerns about the relationship between the University of South Carolina and the unrepentant terrorist William Ayers.This relationship also disturbs me on a number of levels. First, I fail to understand what benefit or virtue a person who once exhorted young people to “kill your parents—that’s where it’s really at,” holds for students on the campus of a school in South Carolina. Second, I remain stunned and disgusted that any educational institution in South Carolina would grant a forum to someone who immediately following September 11, 2001 proclaimed of his own terrorist activity that, “”I don’t regret setting bombs” and “I feel we didn’t do enough”, and, when asked if he would “do it all again” said that, “I don’t want to discount the possibility.” Would the University of South Carolina also open a forum to former participants in lynching or the Bosnian genocide? Third, I speak for tens of thousands of my constituents in our dismay that any public resources, i.e. taxpayer dollars, have supported this person or any activities in which he participated.
Please forward to me within the next ten working days a complete description of all activities produced or sponsored by the University of South Carolina in which this person participated. Please also forward within the same time frame a full accounting of all money expended in support, directly or indirectly, of any activity in which this person participated.
Finally, please inform me of the position of the University of South Carolina on any future engagement of this person in any activities sponsored by the University. Will the University continue to open its doors for this person or anyone else who has engaged in violent terrorism? Will the University of South Carolina continue to expose its students to this person or anyone else who espouses murder, bombing or other violence against this country or its citizens? I look forward to your reply,
We’ve just finished a special finance committee meeting today to discuss the possible targeted spending cuts to balance the $500 million dollar shortfall. Even though the bill must originate in the SC House of Representatives, the Chairman wanted to give us a heads up on what we can expect. We should get the bill from the House next Wednesday, so we’ll see what’s in it. The common consensus is that k-12 education and corrections would be left alone. The department of education may see a 2% cut, with restrictions that classroom expenditures must not see the result. I am pleasantly surprised that there is agreement that the competitive grants will be raided to help balance the books.
I am disappointed in the notion that this situation is because we cut taxes too much. This is wrong for two reasons. First and foremost, Government has an insatiable appetite for gratuitous spending. Also, in these down economic times, SC would be struggling even more had we not cut taxes when we did. You’ve seen me take the floor several times to cut pork barrel spending out of the budget, yet PORK has been victorious over PRIORITIES.
Since the beginning, I’ve been telling ya’ll we’ve got to quit spending and making obligations that we can’t afford in the future. I began this blog in 2005 after first being elected. I quickly learned of the overflow of cash comming into the coffers of the state. Instead of spending every penny that come’s in, why not build up trust funds and make one time improvements on our roads?
SC Club for Growth Releases 2007-2008 Legislative Scorecard
October 14, 2008 - Today, SC Club for Growth released its 2007-2008 South Carolina Legislative Scorecard, awarding the Taxpayer Champion award to five senators and five representatives earning top grades. Legislators’ ratings (view scorecard here) are based on critical economic votes in the House and Senate in the following categories:
- Controlling taxes and government spending, 45%
- Restructuring and other “good government” issues, 30%
- Legal issues and tort reform, 15%
- Increased school choice, 10%
“Taxpayers deserve to know how their elected leaders are performing. That’s why we diligently track how state legislators are voting on important issues. Those issues impact all South Carolinians and the public deserves to know who is truly fighting for lower taxes, limited government and more personal economic freedom,” said Matt Moore, executive director of SC Club for Growth.
Efforts to score both chambers were hampered by the continued absence of roll call voting on important bills. A recent South Carolina Policy Council study shows that during the 2008 legislative session, only 5% of bills passed received a roll call vote. Legislation proposed by Taxpayer Champions Shane Massey in the Senate and Nathan Ballentine and Nikki Haley in the House would increase the number of recorded votes. Others named Taxpayer Champions include Kevin Bryant, Chip Campsen, Larry Grooms and Greg Ryberg in the Senate and Eric Bedingfield, Jeff Duncan and Mick Mulvaney in the House. full article
Child predators. They prey on the weakest among society. Today, South Carolina has the toughest laws in the nation. Child predators now face the death penalty. Because of Senator Kevin Bryant, our children are safe.
A question was asked in this morning’s debate pertaining to how much money has been raised for this campaign and how much comes from within South Carolina. As I’ve always said, if I can’t directly answer a question, I’ll research it and answer it on this blog.
We had a great press conference with Gov. Mark Sanford, Compt. Gen. Richard Eckstrom, Ashley Landis (SC Policy Council), Rep. Don Bowen, Rep. Nathan Balentine and myself. The press conference was at American Concrete on Bleckley Road. Topics covered were excessive Government Growth, spending caps, lack of roll call votes, and a mandate for online posting of taxpayer expenditures. As you know, we’re going into a special session to repair a $500 million shortfall. Had these policies been in place over the last couple of years, our economy would be in much better shape and we would not have these revenue shortages.
500 enthusiastic, deeply conservative, residents attended free BBQ Dinner at Cromer Food Services, to meet U.S. Senator Jim DeMint and State Senator Kevin Bryant. The event was held On October 14, 2008, 5:00 pm. Mr. Cromer, pleased with the record number, decided to turn the gathering into a town hall meeting. Among the views expressed by Senator Jim DeMint were the following:
•I have been frustrated with some of the big spenders, Democrats and Republicans. What we need is freedom and small government.
•Protecting our freedom starts with faith, which lead us to our true values, and our true values will enable us to form the right policies.
•Our battle is not between liberals and conservatives; it’s between socialism and freedom. Voters need to get angry and throw out these who believe in big government.
•I was opposed to the $700 billion bailout plan because I don’t believe that solving a credit crisis should be done by borrowing more money, which only leads us into greater debt. We needed to deal with the fundamentals and develop a plan, which directly deals with the banking needs.
Among the views expressed by Senator Kevin Bryant were the following:
•Pork Barrel spending needs to be eliminated. I fought hard to stop this practice. And consequently, I did not gain many friends due to my strong position.
•We need more open and transparent government. The voters have the right to know what is going on.
•We are spending $11,000 on every student, but parents don’t seem to have a choice over how their children should be educated.I support vouchers and tax credit to give parents options.
•I do support tax incentives to support home builders to install sprinklers systems, which do save lives. However, I oppose making them mandatory.
Interesting note: Among the residents attending was John Skipper, who won the primary for Sheriff, and who is almost certain to win the general election. When elected, he plans to replace the Chief Deputy position with three positions. One position will be over uniformed deputies, a second position will supervise investigations, and a third position will manage special operations.
We had a great time Tuesday afternoon at Cromer Food Services with U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint as our special guest. C.T. upgraded the advertised BBQ to Pot Roast and veggies. Richard Cash of Powdersville supplied treats with his ice cream truck. Yummy!
After planning for 200 or so we had nearly 500 good conservatives come out to support our campaign of reform and show their appreciation for Senator DeMint. The movement for conservative reform is definitely alive and well in Anderson County. In October 2003, we announced our candidacy with 150 or so supporters. In October 2004, Cromer Food Services hosted an event with special guest Gov. Mark Sanford and we were shocked to have 275 in attendance. This record turnout was amazing. Thank you!
As you know, Jim is a hero among conservatives because of his unwavering stands on principle. “I’ll never vote for anyone in office again…except Jim DeMint” is what I’ve heard several times while walking the streets. I am so honored to have his support!
The Anderson Independent will host a 3rd debate with my opponent and myself on Tuesday at 8am. The event will be at the Anderson University Library and will also be aired on WRIX fm 103.1. The hosts will be Ms. Bonnie Williams of the AI, and Mr. George Ducworth of WRIX. A recent newspaper typo has caused some confusion, but here is the correct timing.
Also, remember Tuesday afternoon at 5:30pm(10.14) is our free BBQ with Sen. Jim DeMint and on Wednesday at 1pm (10.15) Gov. Sanford will be in town for a press conference on the economy. The press conference will be at American Concrete on Bleckley Road in Anderson. ttfn!
coffee with Kevin in Powdersville 11.01 from 9am-11am
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