I had the chance to see my high school physics and calculus teacher, Pat Chang, in Easley this week. She was gracious enough to attend a press conference my campaign held on the topic of public education. Ms. Chang was a great teacher, and the things I learned in her classes have helped me immensely in my career. She provided me with a foundation in science and math that carried over to my education... 

It been 9 years since 9/11, and our hearts still feel the power of the day … the loss of life, the bravery of the first responders. Our NYPD and NYFD heroes … we hold them up as models for performance under fire. In the 9 years since, we’ve added more heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, here at home in South Carolina, every day our first responders put their lives on the line for us whether... 

I was reading Robert Reich’s thoughtful column this morning and was struck by this sentence: “In the late 1970s, the richest 1 percent of American families took in about 9 percent of the nation’s total income; by 2007, the top 1 percent took in 23.5 percent of total income.” Let me repeat:  Only 1 percent receive almost a quarter of U.S. income. How does this income imbalance affect... 

For the second time in four months, the people of the Gulf Coast are facing a potential economic and environmental disaster. While the full extent of today’s oil platform explosion off the Louisiana coast remains unclear, today’s explosion underscores yet again our nation’s need for a new energy policy. A policy that creates thousands of new jobs while freeing us from a dangerous reliance on... 

Today more than ever, we must focus on educating all South Carolina children. Our economic future depends on having a well-educated work force. Providing a quality education requires shared responsibilities … and the shared goal of educating ALL our children. Responsibility lies with families, teachers and schools, and elected officials who set policies and funding.  Each plays a role. Clearly,... 

Our state’s elected officials constantly talk about bringing business to the state.  And, there have been successes:  Boeing, BMW, come quickly to mind. But according to a recent CNBC study,* South Carolina is only #31 for Top States for Business.  Our neighbors fared a good deal better:  North Carolina is #4; Georgia is #10. Being #31 is not a goal to aspire to. South Carolina leaders are missing... 

Twenty-five years later, and yes, I would do it all over again. Through the years it has become more and more apparent that John and I are the exception … we are really happily married. Mutual respect, mutual support, and mutual interests have made it work.  John is beyond exceptional. Read More →

Do you hate compromise? Many people do.  An intense disdain for compromise is growing rapidly in our country today. Thank goodness, members of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 felt differently.  So do I. How can you survive this world without compromise?  In marriage, work, church, sports teams, and even among political parties, compromise is a necessity.  However, the loud, “my way or the... 

Over the years as I was growing up, my family spent many wonderful weeks at Fripp Island.  We watched it develop from an uninhabited island to one of the great treasures of our coastline. Its clean beauty never failed to mesmerize me. As I see the devastating effects of the BP Gulf oil disaster, I cringe at the possibility of tar balls rolling up on the shores of our beautiful beaches. When we continue... 

“Both Richard Cash and Jeff Duncan focus on matters that will not bring jobs to the District. They argue about political philosophies, not dealing with what faces South Carolina’s families during these tough times. “Whichever man wins on Tuesday, my focus will remain the same:  working hard for working families on issues that affect their daily lives — jobs, education and military... 

This past week, as a FedEx pilot based in Memphis, I experienced the difficulty of being “on my own.”  Once again. My 1995 Saturn’s air conditioner broke down, and it is HOT in Memphis in June.  I’m flying at night from Laredo, TX, back to Memphis.  From Laredo, I call ahead to see if the repair shop could take my car that next morning. My plan:  I would land at midnight in Memphis and... 

I often think I am living two distinct but separate lives. Last Tuesday night, I celebrated our primary win with my phenomenal staff and tremendous volunteers, all committed to the success of our district. Barely a day later, I was flying an AirBus 300 to Appleton, WS, for FedEx.  Still working, I am now in the middle of a week of night flights. Two very different lives, but connected by a powerful... 

Published in the GREENVILLE NEWS today:  http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100531/OPINION/305310018/Military-teaches-teamwork This nation needs to pull together. On this Memorial Day, we need to consider the power of teamwork represented by our military veterans’ efforts to keep us safe. I learned this firsthand. I am veteran from a family of veterans. I served as a pilot in the U.S. Air... 

As my husband John, my son Tony and I sat in the audience at the College of Charleston today, I started reliving some of my son Bill’s school days — the announcement of the 5th Grade Science Award, the years of his academic achievement, and his amazing artistic accomplishments. Of course, those were interspersed with a few episodes of not turning homework in, not answering all the questions... 

With this week’s 40th anniversary of Earth Day, it’s time we think about what we can do to help the environment. But wait! You might ask … What about jobs? Many people think being environmentally friendly means lost jobs. Just the opposite:  Green jobs are our future, and will drive job growth in South Carolina. Read More →

When the klaxon blares in the middle of the night, it seems as if your heart actually stops for a few seconds.  Then the lights come on bright, crews jump into their flight suits and combat boots, rush to the flight line, flash the appropriate security code, climb up the crew ladder, jump into their seats, decode the message and wait. Is it an exercise? Or could it be the real thing, to launch a nuclear... 

The U.S. Congress just passed health care reform.  Passing this reform bill will make a huge difference in our District. According to the Energy and Commerce Committee of the US House of Representatives, this new health care reform act in the SC 3rd District will: ·  Improve coverage for 393,000 residents with health insurance. ·  Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 192,000 families... 

Kitchen Table #2: Jobs from Jane Dyer on Vimeo. Read More →

Today in Washington, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) received their much overdue Congressional Gold Medal, one of America’s highest civilian honors. These women were finally recognized for their tremendous contribution to our military success in WWII. I stand humbly on their shoulders.  As a female Air Force Pilot from 1981-1988, I owe my aviation career to these courageous women.  For... 

Kitchen Table: Introduction from Jane Dyer on Vimeo.  Read More →

Recently, while I was in the midst of my workday routine (flying, sleeping, eating), I received an email from my stepson who is serving his second tour in Afghanistan. I was solemnly reminded of the high cost of war. My stepson described the procedure when the soldiers are notified of the loss of their fellow servicemen. At the airfield, the coffins of the fallen are moved across the tarmac to the... 

“ One small step for man, one giant step for mankind.” That statement by Astronaut Neil Armstrong as he became the first human on the moon signified the culmination of an entire decade of American scientific commitment. Where is our commitment today? What kind of large scientific goal are we pursuing? Read More →

Martin Luther King dreamed of a country where there was no discrimination, where we truly loved our neighbors and even our enemies, a country where we fought poverty and stood up for what is right. More than forty years later, we have made great strides toward his dream, most markedly the election of our first African-American President.  But we still have a long way to go. While minorities are more... 

Regardless of how difficult times are, there are gifts that we can give that don’t cost anything.  These are the gifts of joy, peace and hope. Read More →

The US military is the best.  You who have served know that.  I learned that when I served in the USAF. Our military people are committed, hard working and selfless. Unfortunately, we as a country have opted to save money by contracting out many of our military responsibilities. But there are no savings.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, the cost of hiring private guards versus using... 

The attack on Pearl Harbor ignited the soul of the United States.  That spark inspired hundreds of thousands to join the military, and millions to labor back home in support. All Americans sacrificed.  Because of our American spirit, the flame that became the US war machine succeeded in guaranteeing our freedom during those dark days. December 7, 1941, Roosevelt’s “a day that will live in infamy”… According... 

With this week’s White House Jobs’ Summit, the government’s priority moves to where it should be: Putting people back to work. We face tremendous challenges with so many people losing their jobs, losing their homes, and going hungry. According to Associated Press, South Carolina’s unemployment is a record 12.1%. The number of South Carolinians losing their homes is increasing. “One out... 

During the Cold War, I sat on Alert as I flew the KC-135 aircraft, the flying gas station that enabled nuclear-laden B-52s to make it to their targets. Many may not remember, but the B-52s were constantly armed so the US could respond within minutes to ensure mutual destruction should we be attacked by the Soviet Union. Back then, the Savannah River Site (SRS) played an instrumental role in developing... 

After I’d written my Veterans’ Day comments, the horrible shooting at Ft Hood occurred. While we don’t have all the answers yet, we do know that the surviving victims and the families and friends of those who were slain are suffering. As we all mourn the loss of these soldiers, we also honor their devotion and sacrifice. -Jane Veterans Deserve Our Best One of my favorite traditions of the U.S.... 

Like many of you,  I am a busy, working woman with a million irons in the fire. We try our best to take good care of ourselves and get routine health exams.  We all know it’s important to get annual mammograms.  But sometimes, life is a little too hectic. Sometimes, we find ourselves thinking we just had one but the reality might be that it has been a while. Think back through the past year or... 

This past weekend, we celebrated the one-hundredth birthday of my Aunt Lillie, the matriarch of our Ballard Clan. Her life has been simple and amazing at the same. She was the fifth of twelve children growing up on a farm in White Plains, SC. Picking cotton, milking cows, chasing goats, and putting up all kinds of vegetables for the winter months were normal activities of her entire childhood. Education...