more notes from Meg Campbell from the town hall meeting in Pendleton. Remember there are 2 more town hall meetings 01/14/10 Powdersville Fire Department @ 7:30pm
01/15/10 Townville Fire Department @ 7:30pm
Questions and Answers
Town Hall Meeting, Pendleton SC
January 8, 2010
Q. The Department of Correction’s budget has been cut, and had to close down dorms and even release some criminals, is there any hope they will get more finances?
A. I am actually on the subcommittee that deals with the Department of Corrections, I’ve not supported these cuts and made efforts to prevent them in the past.
Q. From the state’s standpoint, what is happening about energy? Is there any discussion of offshore drilling?
A. I support the exploration of offshore drilling. I’m told our greatest resource might be natural gases, but presently we are prohibited from even seeing what is happening down there. Natural gas is much cleaner than some other alternatives.
Q. What is SC doing about homeland security?
A. [Referred to Sherriff Skipper] The state switched the grant process, we now have a central law force. SLED evaluates who does what. Equipment is monitored and staff at nuclear plants are drilled and prepared. We have a very good system in South Carolina and it has been improved over the past four to five years.
[Comment from Skipper] Because of the re-distribution of districts, there will be a census. If a census worker comes, you are not required to let them in. They should have an ID and 10 questions to ask. They will not ask for your Social Security number or financial information. If they do you are not required to answer.
Q. How can we help small business grow?
A. Really by doing three things. 1. Pass Card Check (which keeps unionization ballots secret). 2. We need to de-regulate. 3. We need to also reduce tax burdens. The best thing we can do is to get out of the way of small business.
Q. How are we reducing pork barrel spending?
A. The 2006 budget was really ridiculous. For example, 1 million dollars went to the building of a “Green Bean Museum.” A lot of Pork is not so easy to see, but in the last few years there has been such a cut-back financially that there is much less pork barrel spending.
Q. What about fraud in voter registration?
A. There is a bill that would require a photo ID to be required in addition to voter registration when voting. The photo would not have to be on the registration. Everyone has or can get a photo ID. (Drivers licenses are a common form of photo ID.) The bill is on the calendar in the senate.
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