House should pass the budget & fund state priorities
S.C. Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Harvey S. Peeler called on the S.C. House of Representatives today to pass the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 budget.
“It’s time to stop the blame game and do what’s in the best interests of the people of South Carolina,” said Senator Peeler.
“The truth is that the budget was approved in conference committee before session ended on June 7, yet the House refuses to sign the conference report unless they get their special interest road projects in the DOT reform bill. The Senate refuses to accept the House’s demand to add hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars for special road projects to an agency that has already squandered millions.”
“Without this budget, taxpayers will not receive a tax cut on the groceries they buy and new income tax relief for those least able to pay will not be enacted. Our aging school buses will not be replaced, leaving children at risk when they return to school this fall. We will not be able to hire 100 new troopers to make our roads safer. Medicaid will have $85 million less for children’s healthcare. Tuition will rise at our colleges and universities and we will have $30 million less for LIFE scholarships. Additionally, more sexual predators could be released from confinement; children with autism will not receive critical care; and we will have less money to attract tourists to our state,” continued Peeler.
Senator Jim Ritchie (R-13), Majority Whip, said, “The House would rather point fingers and under fund the state’s priorities than let go of the special interest road projects they are calling ‘DOT reform.’
With three full days in Special Session this week, costing the state’s taxpayers nearly $100,000, there is no excuse for them to hold up this budget any longer.”
“Our primary responsibility as legislators is to pass a budget. Even though we have a budget ready to be passed, the House is refusing to act responsibly. It’s time we get down to business and fund the state’s priorities rather than leaving the citizens of South Carolina overtaxed and underserved,” Ritchie said.
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