House should pass budget, enact reforms
COLUMBIA, SC - S.C. Senate Republicans, led by Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr. (R-14), Majority Leader, called on the S.C. House of Representatives today to cut the rhetoric and work toward meaningful reform for South Carolina.
“Despite their best efforts to argue the contrary, the responsibility of having no budget, no workers’ comp reform, and no DOT reform as Sine Die came and went lies squarely on the shoulders of the S.C. House of Representatives,” said Senator Peeler. “I sincerely hope that the week off will remind them of their responsibility to this state. We must adopt a budget for the pending fiscal year so we may fully fund the state’s priorities while lowering the tax burden on our citizens, rather than callously waiting until January.”
Senator Peeler continued, “The House leadership has held the budget hostage in order to secure millions of dollars for their pet construction projects all under the guise of ‘DOT Reform.’ They are undeniably more concerned with rhetoric and ‘winning’ than working together to meet the needs of South Carolina, including the education of our state’s children.”
As the final days of the 2007 Session passed, the House leadership used every opportunity to place the blame with the Senate. In press conferences, news releases, and floor speeches, House members used every excuse possible, including unfounded allegations that the majority of the Senate is working toward a gas tax increase.
Senate President Pro Tempore, Glenn McConnell (R-41), said, “I applaud the members of the Senate for their diligence to ensure that the public good took precedent over pet projects benefiting a few.
Unfortunately, the members of the House seemed more interested this week in writing press releases than passing meaningful reform. I hope that when we return, the House will quit playing games with the future of our state.”
Notwithstanding the current situation, the General Assembly has been successful in passing important measures during this Session.
Senator Jim Ritchie (R-13), Majority Whip, noted that the Senate delivered on strong Workers Compensation reform Thursday afternoon.
“This bill improves our state’s competitiveness, reduces costs to businesses, assures fair treatment of injured workers, and protects
against fraud in the system.”
Senator David Thomas (R-8), Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee added, “Despite the House’s current actions, we can be proud that we were able to bring open enrollment to public schools, increased insurance coverage for autistic children, and a plan to rebuild our school bus fleet.”
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