PAULINE, SC (May 20, 2013) –

2013-2014 Budget Bill

Its budget week at the Statehouse and two things are clear. First, the way Columbia establishes a budget, bears absolutely no resemblance to the way that you and I budget at home around our kitchen tables. If you and I have needs and wants but not enough money for both, then we sacrifice the wants for the needs. In Columbia, politicians shortchange the needs in order to give away some wants to the special interests. For instance, one reason that our roads are in such deplorable condition and that our schools have not been funded to the extent promised in law is that over the years we have given hundreds of millions of dollars to pet projects like civic festivals and local non-profits instead of investing in our infrastructure and public schools, aka core functions of government. Then, when the needs reach a crisis stage, the folks in Columbia introduce legislation to borrow money that you and I will have to pay back with interest. The second thing that is clear is that finally (finally!) some conservatives in Columbia have had enough. This budget week already has run past a week, and it is because I and other conservatives won’t simply roll over and rubber stamp the budget proposal of the borrow-and-spend crowd. I can’t tell you that we’ll win, but I can tell you that we’ll fight for sound budgeting that prioritizes spending without borrowing.

Funds to Repair & Maintain Roads

The omnibus bill that borrows $1.3 billion and raises the gas tax 20 cents by tying it to inflation is currently on the Senate contested calendar. That alone doesn’t pass the smell test. I decided last week that we need not wait for road funding and, more importantly, we need not raise taxes or pile more debt upon our children and grandchildren. I’m supporting several amendments written by myself and other conservative senators to spend money that we have on hand and NOT BORROW to pave our roads. Conservatives are making it hot for those who claim to care about our infrastructure but now have to vote against spending money on hand. Several amendments have been carried over simply because many don’t want their vote to be on record. We will not let them off the hook.

Stopping ACA “Obamacare” Implementation

H. 3101, the ACA “Obamacare” Nullification bill, still has not left its committee. I attempted to recall it from the committee by unanimous consent but was blocked by a Democrat senator. I have heard from many, many constituents that this is the most important thing left that we can do this year in Columbia, and I agree. “Obamacare” will be fully implemented by January 2014, and it will then be even that much harder to fight it. Even though there are other pieces of worthy legislation, the nullification of “Obamacare” must be our number one priority once we finish with the budget. I can’t promise that we’ll get this passed, but I am darn sure am not going to kill it by letting other, less important bills get in line ahead of it.

More on the 2013-2014 Budget Bill

One final word about the budget bill. I often think that I no longer can be amazed, but the current budget debate has proven me wrong, again. South Carolina is fortunate to have about $700 million in new revenue for the upcoming year (2013-2014), and the bill passed by the Senate Finance committee is the draft or working document for the appropriation of that money. Nothing has been spent. No agency or entity has received one dime. The bill goes to the entire Senate for debate and amendment… or so I thought. When conservatives have attempted to use some of that $700 million in new revenue for roads, as an example, they are accused of “cutting” other entities.  The RINOcrat, or a Republican that votes like a Democrat, usually cries that schools or nursing homes will be hurt.  I used to think that only in Washington is a lower increase than a RINOcrat wants called a “cut”, but apparently that also is true in South Carolina. We actually have senators stand up and say that program X is getting “cut” if it is getting only $100 new dollars instead of $125 new dollars. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a perfect reflection of the problem. Most Columbia politicians live in a world of their own creation and not in the real world with you and me. I will not be frightened away from doing the right thing, and I appreciate your continuing support.