The Anderson Independent Mail picked up on this recent action by the right wing of the Senate:
William Wallace Caucus SENATOR LARRY GROOMS, CHAIRMAN
William Wallace Caucus Stands with Governor Sanford
The William Wallace Caucus, a group of South Carolina Senators committed to liberty through less government, declare their continued commitment to the principles and standards of Governor Mark Sanford and true fiscal conservatives across South Carolina. William Wallace Caucus members stand in unison against the recent irresponsible spending of the General Assembly.
The budget adopted by both chambers of the South Carolina Legislature reflects unsustainable practices in fiscal planning.
The budget not only cuts public education, public safety and public health but also spends over $400 million that does not currently exist. We ask ourselves at times whether we are in Columbia or Washington. This budget, while raiding trust funds, could still lead to as many as 3,000 teachers losing their jobs and as many as 3,000 inmates obtaining early release.
The William Wallace Caucus stands with Governor Sanford in the belief that the South Carolina General Assembly fails to fully fund the core missions of government: the classroom, public safety and public health. It also uses one-time federal money in an irresponsible manner.
We offered principled leadership in presenting an alternative budget that met these concerns. For example the shortfall in the Unemployment Trust Fund will sit at approximately $1 billion by the end of the year. Our alternative budget paid down $200 million of that debt. It was rejected.
Finally, the General Assembly’s failure to place its budget in a simple, transparent, open conference committee prior to a vote on the final product is disappointing and unprecedented.
The recent budget process engaged in by the General Assembly serves notice to all South Carolinians that even in poor economic times the habits that contributed to our fiscal crisis continue unabated.
MEMBERSHIP: SENATOR GREG RYBERG R-AIKEN; SENATOR LARRY GROOMS R-BERKELEY; SENATOR DANNY VERDIN R-LAURENS; SENATOR KEVIN BRYANT R-ANDERSON; SENATOR CHIP CAMPSEN R-CHARLESTON; SENATOR SHANE MASSEY R-EDGEFIELD; SENATOR LEE BRIGHT R-SPARTANBURG; SENATOR TOM DAVIS R-BEAUFORT; SENATOR SHANE MARTIN R-SPARTANBURG; SENATOR MICK MULVANEY R-LANCASTER; SENATOR MIKE ROSE R-DORCHESTER; SENATOR PHIL SHOOPMAN R-GREENVILLE
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