The Department of Revenue (DOR) has been on a revenue hunt across South Carolina. They could soon be coming to you asking for more tax money, even though your representatives at the State House did not vote to approve it. In my opinion, DOR has crossed the line in their role as an executive agency. Their job is to execute the law—not make it. When this agency, by interpretation or issuance of a regulation, expands the application of a tax law, the public has placed on it taxation without … [Read more...]

We must have binding spending limits now. For years, I have pushed for a constitutional amendment to limit the growth of government to the real growth in income and population over a ten-year period. The amendment I’ve proposed would stop “roller coaster budgeting,” which is the bad habit of spending too much when times are good—then cutting too much when the economy declines. Here is how my proposal would work: In any given year, the amount available for State spending would be … [Read more...]

Each year, the General Assembly approves an annual budget which appropriates a set amount of money for each agency to operate on for the fiscal year. The Governor’s cabinet secretaries and other executives must then operate their agencies for 12 months on that amount of dollars or less. If they spend more, the State has an executive-driven deficit, and a balanced budget is impossible. The deficit must be covered or spending reduced because our Constitution requires a balanced budget each … [Read more...]

Immigration reform is a complicated and difficult problem. Though many people’s opinions vary on this important issue facing our State and Nation, most can agree that something must be done. The issue before the South Carolina Senate is whether to empower our police across the State to enforce Federal immigration laws. The United States Government has failed miserably, and the States have little they can do except enforce Federal laws above what the States have already passed. The costs … [Read more...]

How do we balance frivolous lawsuits while protecting victims’ rights? I am against jackpot justice but also believe people injured by the acts of others should have an avenue in the courts for fair redress. Changes should be made when there are injustices—not just for the sake of change. It is important to scrutinize changes to see whether they lower insurance rates, address a wrong or excess and do not unfairly limit a person’s rights. … [Read more...]

We’ve got to change the practices of State budget writers in Columbia. One of the most egregious is the often used method of raiding Trust Funds in an attempt to balance the budget. Trust Funds are held in trust for a specific public purpose. These funds should only be used for the specific purpose for which they were set aside. For years, I have opposed the raiding of trust funds to balance the budget or supplement the budget of a State agency. This past year, 13.2 million dollars were … [Read more...]

Last year, the Senate passed a bill that would require voters to present legitimate picture identification (such as a driver’s license or government identification card) at the time they vote. The bill also would allow the opportunity for early voting. Even though this bill passed the Senate, it got bogged down in differences with the House of Representatives. Recently, I have reached a bipartisan consensus in the Senate on this and am hopeful to work out any differences with the House. This … [Read more...]

Most people recognize that South Carolina has antiquated gaming laws which make it illegal to play card games at the kitchen table in your own home. Frankly, I don’t think it is the business of the State to decide what games you play in your home with friends as long as it is not done as a business. The current law is so ridiculous that the police only enforce it selectively, which should not be their choice. We owe it to our law enforcement officers to give them clear laws. In the interest … [Read more...]

South Carolina is one of the only two states that prohibit non-profit organizations from holding raffles for a charitable purpose. This means it is illegal to sell chances on a cake or other items, even when they are donated. Yet, our government is granted a monopoly to sell lottery tickets all over the State to raise revenue. Why should the State be allowed to do this while charitable organizations are prohibited from selling a chance to raise funds for their worthy causes? To say the least, … [Read more...]

I share Governor Haley’s commitment to transparency and roll call voting. It is vitally important to keep easily accessible records on how Senators and House members vote on the people’s business. Such records are the heart of accountability. Those of us fighting for reform are working to usher in a new era of transparency. However, as we move forward on these important reforms, we must take care to act within the framework of the Constitution and not try to amend it by passing a … [Read more...]