On The Issues
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Jobs
In South Carolina, we are hurting more than most Americans. Our unemployment rate is the third worst in the nation at 12.5% and climbing.
District 3 is facing 12% unemployment with McCormick (17.7 %), Abbeville (15.8%), Oconee (15.1%), Greenwood (14.4%) and Anderson (13.2%) Counties suffering the worst.
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Economy
Our economy has survived one of the most crippling events of our lifetimes. Greed took over common sense and left all of us holding our breaths and holding on to our wallets.
We did not go over the cliff but came terribly close. Job loss, home foreclosures, bankruptcies, health care crises … the list of financial tragedies is long.
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Education
Better education in South Carolina means better quality jobs in our state.
Economic studies show that the most important considerations for a company seeking to locate in a state are the quality and availability of the workforce and the public and higher educational systems. Education and jobs are inextricably intertwined.
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National Security
Our military is second to none. The men and women who are serving and have served deserve our total support.
However, many of our South Carolina political leaders are happy to wrap themselves in the U.S. flag only to vote against Veterans Affairs appropriations.
It was just in the last few years that funding for medical care and other benefits of our veterans became a priority.
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Healthcare
Today’s health care system does not work.
Currently, 700,000 South Carolinians have no health insurance or rely on hospital emergency rooms for their health care.
A national study by Kids Count lists our state as 45th in the nation for child well being. Our infant death rate is the highest in the nation.
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Environment
South Carolina has two critical environmental issues: agriculture and water.
Recently, agriculture passed tourism as the number one industry in our state. However, our Governor and state legislature refuse to support the Farm-to-School Bill and other measures designed to get local produce to our people. They are missing a huge opportunity.
