On the Issues…

The biggest issue facing South Carolina for the next two decades is our economy.

Lowering taxes, limiting government and making our state more competitive will allow our businesses to grow.  These free market principals are essential elements to creating a prosperous state – because it’s the private sector, not government, that can create sustainable new jobs.

You work very hard to provide for your family.  We believe more of that money should stay in your pocket, not the government’s.  That is why the House has consistently pursued common sense tax reforms – having passed more than $22 billion in tax cuts for all South Carolinians.

Keeping taxes low and limiting the size of government growth requires real fiscal discipline.  We’ve done just that – In South Carolina, we have actually shrunk the size of state government.  By increasing efficiencies and doing more with less waste, there are now 9,000 fewer taxpayer-funded employees today than there were when Republicans gained the majority in 1994.

To compete on today’s global playing field, we must ensure that our state’s next generation has the skills and academic tools necessary to take on higher-paying jobs.  Creating a strong educational system in our state is not a stand-alone issue, it’s a key subset of our economy.

Unlike our deficit-spending counterparts in Washington, here in South Carolina we actually practice fiscal conservatism. We pass a balanced budget every single year that serves the needs of our state’s citizens, not special interests groups.

These are all things our citizens have called for with a loud and united voice statewide.  We’re listening, but challenging the status quo and passing major reforms requires a great deal of support – often from both sides of the aisle.  I believe in bipartisanship, and I’m willing to work alongside any elected official in our state to deliver on reforms the people want passed.

Putting our partisan differences aside, and the needs of our citizens first, we can work together to accomplish these goals and build a stronger South Carolina.