Issues
May 30th, 2007The Senate Republican Caucus is working to reform South Carolina government with conservative values. The 2007 legislative session was marked by real solutions and progress for all South Carolinians.
$288.5 MILLION IN TAX CUTS
The Senate slashed the tax burden on South Carolina’s working families. We saved the taxpayers $205.5 million by elminating the sales tax on groceries. We also removed the bottom bracket of the state income tax which will apply to every taxpayer across the state, totaling $86 million.
In total, the Senate passed tax relief to the tune of $288.5 million!
DOT REFORM
DOT was a flawed system that needed to be corrected. The bottom line in this reform debate was not just our businesses or our workers, it was about the entire state of SC. Our roads are the bloodline of our economy. This was an issue that transcends party lines and effects every single resident, tourist, and visitor in our state. Accountability was the crux of the matter, and where that accountability should fall is at the heart of this debate. Everyone now knows about the improprieties that were taking place at the top of DOT. Their own employees testified that the LAC Audit was accurate in its findings of intentional misrepresentation of finances to the legislature, undocumented negotiations, and unsound contracting practices. Reform for DOT was essential for our state. The Senate took the lead on this matter and – after crossing a few hurdles along the way – made it a reality.
ADVANCING EDUCATION FOR SOUTH CAROLINA’S CHILDREN
One of the Caucus’ proudest moments in 2007 was the passage of Virtual School legislation, which created a framework for online courses for high school age students. Virtual schools follow the same standards of coursework as traditional classes. However, students participate online and communicate with teachers via email. The program offers students access to courses that may not be readily available at their school. It will also allow students the opportunity to retake a failed course without falling further behind.
Many of our children are riding to school in unsafe, outdated school buses that are falling apart. To solve the problem, we passed a plan creating a school bus replacement cycle. 1/15 of South Carolina’s school bus fleet will be replaced every year.
CRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
We can’t let South Carolina become a safe haven for illegal immigrants. That why the Republican Senate Caucus lead the fight to pass a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem at the state level. If passed by the House, the legislation will allow state law enforcement to work with federal officials to find and detain illegal immigrants in South Carolina. The plan provides assurances to the citizens and businesses of South Carolina that when tax dollars are being spent on public projects, those dollars are not going to workers who are here unlawfully. Anyone who wants to do business with local and state governments in South Carolina will have to meet higher standards for proof of citizenship for all their employees through the creation of an employment verification system.
The Senate plan creates a state felony offense for anyone convicted of knowingly harboring or transporting illegal aliens. It allows the state to withhold wages of an individual who provided false or fraudulent documentation. The bill also mandates all local and state agencies to verify the lawful residence in the U.S. of any person seeking public assistance benefits such as Medicaid.
WORKERS’ COMP REFORM
Worker’s Compensation Reform was a major victory for businesses and working families across South Carolina. The new law will encourage businesses to hire more employees, and could help lower costs for new homes. It will accomplish this by eliminating the Second Injury Fund, imposing fines on employers and insurers who lie about the type of work employers do to cut premiums, and allows employers greater latitude to challenge claims involving injured backs.
FIGHTING CRIME IN SOUTH CAROLINA
This year the State Senate cracked down on crime by passing an anti-gang bill and stiffening penalties on underage drinking and DUIs.
The Anti-Gang Bill will help auhorities across the state crack down on increasing gang violence by putting gang activity under the purview of the state grand jury and establishing more stringent sentencing guidelines than the system currently allows. Coercion and threats by gang members will be punishable under the proposed legislation
The Senate got tough on underage drinking by increasing criminal penalties for both the seller and purchaser after the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. Kegs must now be registered, allowing authorities to track the purchase and use of kegs, particularly in instances of parties where minors were present. We also passed a provision that subsequent DUI offenders must utilize an ignition interlock device; two years for a second offense, three years for a third offenses, and a lifetime imposition for a fourth or subsequent offense
MAKING HEALTHCARE AFFORDABLE
The Senate passed legislation allowing small businesses to band together and form “health group cooperatives”, which in turn would help improve access to affordable health insurance. This would help cut cost for the businesses and increase coverage for the rising number of South Carolinians who presently don’t have access to affordable healthcare. Autism insurance legislation was also passed mandating that all insurance providers operating within the state offer coverage for pervasive development disorders such as Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
CATCHING UP IN THE 21st CENTURY
The Senate is working to provide affordable access to broadband Internet for all South Carolinians. We recently established the “SC Broadband Technology and Communications Study Committee” to assess the need for broadband in unserved and underserved areas, as well as making recommendations to the General Assembly for legislation and policy in order to advance technological development in our state.
