Outrageous Trends in Taxes & Spending: “Unless we act now, disaster lies ahead.”
The burden of federal, state and local government taxes and spending in South Carolina is truly outrageous. It’s making it difficult for families to survive. Here are just a few of the most dangerous trends:
- South Carolina’s income tax is the 6th highest in the nation.
- We have the 6th highest property taxes in America.
- Per person spending in South Carolina (by all levels of government) is the 4th highest in the nation.
- And our industrial property taxes are the highest in the country.
No wonder so many people are unemployed in South Carolina. Few businesses would risk expanding or locating in a state where taxes can drain away most of their earnings.
For 20 years, I have operated a small business through increasingly difficult times. I know what it will take to turn our economy around and create new jobs. The best way to stimulate economic growth is to give tax relief to families and businesses. That’s what I will fight for as your State Representative. I am also proud to say I was given the Friend of the Taxpayer Award every year of my service.
The pledge I make to you is this: I will always put taxpayers first, regardless of the political consequences.
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Public Education: “My dedication to our schools is personal.”
I grew up in Lexington County and am a product of its public school system. My wife Amy and I made a decision to raise our family here in Lexington County. Our daughter Caroline attends school at Midway Elementary. When our son Trace is old enough, we want him to do the same.
Our children deserve the best possible education in safe, well-equipped schools led by well-compensated teachers who are the best available. Nothing is more important to the future of South Carolina. You can count on me to be a strong advocate for our schools.
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Changing the Way Our State Does Business: “Let’s return to our core conservative values.”
I was honored to serve in the State Legislature when Governor Carroll Campbell was in office. I worked closely with him to start the process of restructuring state government, to make it more efficient and more
accountable to taxpayers. In recent years that process has stalled, and now is the time to finish the job.
Every citizen in South Carolina deserves to know exactly how their representatives vote. When politicians hide behind closed doors, there is no accountability. In my view, the lack of basic transparency is a big part of the mess we have in government today.
We need on-the-record voting in state and local government and no more secret action that leaves voters in the dark. As your Representative, I will fight to make sure every vote is recorded, tracked, and easily available.
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Standing Up for Social and Moral Issues: “I have a proven conservative record.”
On the issue of the right to bear arms, I have and will continue to fight to protect our freedom to own firearms for hunting and recreation, and to protect our homes, businesses and families from harm.
I believe we must fight to defend time-tested values against those who seek to indoctrinate our children and to undercut the traditional meaning of marriage.
My wife Amy and I are blessed with two wonderful children who are daily reminders of the miracle of life. That’s why I view protecting those who cannot protect themselves, whether early or late in life, as a sacred duty.