Exactly four months ago, I wrote about the House Republican Caucus’ 2008 agenda with high hopes.
This week, we completed that agenda, approving all of these conservative pieces of legislation and scoring major victories for the voters of South Carolina. We approved legislation attacking seven major issues facing our state this year that will impact the lives, jobs, and pocketbooks of all South Carolinians.
Fight Illegal Immigration. We approved a package of reforms that includes, among others, restricting illegal aliens’ access to public assistance, working to identify illegal immigrants who have committed crimes, and protecting South Carolina’s legal workers. This bill is in a conference committee where the House is holding strong against Senate efforts to weaken our bill.
Stop Hidden Earmark Spending. We approved a House rule that requires any spending item that is not specifically requested by a state agency have a name and an explanation so the General Assembly knows what is being debated. If the item is worthwhile, it can be defended by a sponsor.
Tax Cuts for Families. We approved an income tax cut for married couples. While the total amount is not great, Republicans wanted to reward couples who do the hard work to make a marriage work. This bill is also in the Senate’s hands.
Improve Roads and Bridges. The House approved dedicating the money raised from the sales tax on cars to improving our roads and infrastructure. Dedicating that revenue for our roads was the second half of the Caucus’ two-year commitment to reforming the Department of Transportation. Last year, the House passed a restructuring of the agency that makes it more accountable to the taxpayers and places it in the governor’s cabinet. We must have a strong infrastructure to keep our economy vibrant and allowing the DOT to count on revenue each year will help. We approved this legislation and sent it to the Senate this week.
Education Reform. Republicans spearheaded the effort to scrap the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test and make the first significant changes in the 1998 Education Accountability Act. We replaced the PACT with a diagnostic exam that will give useful information to parents and teachers. The Speaker has also appointed a committee to study the best ways to change our severely outdated education funding system. The bill to replace the PACT is heading to the Senate floor.
Expanding the Economy by Helping Business. We approved a plan that helps small businesses band together to buy health insurance for their employees much like large corporations do. This will help small businesses with one of their largest costs while giving their employees needed access to health insurance. This bill has been signed into law.
Enact State Spending Caps. For more than 10 years, the House Republicans have supported imposing spending caps on our state government. We have passed a cap several times, only to have those caps stall in the Senate. We have approved a cap, and are encouraging the Senate to move quickly on House Bill 3295 so we can limit the growth of government once and for all.
As indicated, many of these items are currently awaiting consideration by the Senate. Please contact your Senator and tell them you want these pieces of conservative legislation to become law. Thank you for the privilege of serving you in Columbia. If I can ever be of assistance to you, or if you have ideas on these issues you want me to share with the rest of the General Assembly, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 963-0337 or in Columbia at (803) 734-3045.