| As your
Representative, I will focus on legislative
reform that has the most impact in helping the
people in this district and this state. We
have enough "feel good" legislation in Columbia
now which has little effect on the critical
issues of this state. It's time for more
energy and passion in issues that matter most in
Columbia, SC .
With my insurance
profession, I know the crippling affect the
current health insurance system has on people's
pocket books. Health Insurance premiums
have increased since the year 2000 by 129% and
continue to increase 12% annually. The
premiums are at an unsustainable growth rate and
the people of this state are at a breaking
point. It is very alarming to me that the
state legislatures are not talking about this
issue more.
It is very vital
for the citizens of this state to be able to
count on real reform that will go straight
toward lowering the base rate of health
insurance premiums and making health insurance
more accessible to the public. Health insurance
tax credits and group volume discounts (which
can quickly turn to surcharges) do not address
the characteristics that are driving the
increased premiums but medical-liability
litigation and governmental mandate reform do
address the increases.
I want to take a
good insurance perspective in the State House to
help work on changes that will directly lower
health insurance premiums by avoiding a
government based health system.
Education
We have much to be proud of in our school
district but there is still work to be done and
particularly across the state. Every child
that leaves school without a high school diploma
becomes
your child and my child.
We must do what it takes to continue focusing on
the fundamentals of education by getting better
teaching tools in the classroom, increasing
modernization of the schools and teaching
material, and getting parents involved and more
accountable.
The education of our children is extremely
important and a cornerstone for future economic
development in South Carolina. I do
believe that parents ought to be able to decide
what school works best for their child, and
believe that choice is a market based
characteristic that will improve education in
South Carolina.
If we focus on education initiatives, the return
on the investment will be significant and will
help ensure prosperity for us and our children
for decades to come.
Economic Growth
Higher taxes slow economic growth and discourage
entrepreneurship. Keeping taxes low makes
it easier for our existing businesses to grow
and create jobs. In addition, lower taxes
will help South Carolina be more competitive in attracting new jobs and
corporate investment, which will help fuel our
economy and improve the quality of life for our
state’s citizens.
To keep taxes low, we must also run our state
government with increased efficiency. That
means we must look for every opportunity to
eliminate government waste and duplication.
We must wisely manage the dollars contributed by
hardworking South Carolina taxpayers and, as a
government, practice principles of responsible
stewardship.
Bottom line, I believe you work very hard to
provide for your family and believe that more of
that money should stay in your pocket, not the
government’s.
Illegal
Immigration
Illegal immigrants
under-cut wages and jobs for the lower skilled
workers of this state. Over half the
illegal immigrants enter South Carolina without
a high school education. Our public
schools, hospitals, and prisons are becoming
over crowded with non-citizens.
This is a burden
that the tax payers this state should not have
to bear due to not enforcing the current
immigration laws on the books. I will
stand firm on enforcing the current immigration
laws.
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