SC Senate District 16
Public Schools.
I attended public schools right here in District 16 from first grade through high school graduation. I am thankful for the wonderful education that I received from competent hard-working teachers. My children, Teddy and Emma, attend a public elementary school and are thriving, both intellectually and socially. All of us pay taxes for school, not only for our children but for the betterment of our community as a whole. As taxpayers, we have the right to hold our schools accountable. Government guidelines like "No Child left Behind" (NCLB) have put too much emphasis on test scores that provide no feedback to the educators, and have stifled innovation and flexibility in the classroom. Citizens and legislators need to support and encourage our public school teachers and administrators – not criticize them. Political cynics like to rail against "failing schools," but the vast majority of our public schools in District 16 are earning passing grades and improving on every important scale, especially test scores and teacher certification. When they criticize our public schools, they are criticizing all of us who are products of those schools – and I take offense at that.
Private School Vouchers.
I am opposed to private school vouchers, and this is one of the most important reasons I decided to run for Senate. There is an organized effort by out-of-state activists to buy our elections and use the Republican legislators that they get elected to dismantle South Carolina's public school system. They try to scare parents into thinking that public schools are inadequate or even dangerous and that the best solution is to give tax dollars to private schools through voucher programs. Proponents miss the basic concept that we pay for public schools to benefit our communities as a whole, not just for our individual children. If we allow some parents to take tax dollars out of our public schools, then logic dictates that we should allow senior citizens and childless couples to remove tax dollars as well. What would society be if we allowed everyone to pick and choose what public programs they want to pay for? That would be absurd. And yet, this is the goal of private school voucher proponents. Private school vouchers are nothing more than welfare for private schools.
Higher Education.
We are fortunate to have great state-supported colleges in District 16. These institutions of higher learning are essential to our economic growth, job creation, and overall quality of life. As your Senator, I will fight to make sure that our local colleges and technical schools receive their fair share of public funding, and that they receive funding equal to that of comparable schools around the state.
When it comes to money, I am frugal. I never pay retail and I clip coupons. And I don’t like paying taxes any more than the next person. But I know that taxes are necessary to keep our government operating, pave roads, etc. The problem is that our state legislators don’t seem to know how to handle money. A few years ago when South Carolina received several million dollars from cigarette manufacturers in a one-time class action settlement, the Republican legislators spent all of the money almost immediately on new programs, many of which were created just to provide "pork" for their districts. The next year those programs couldn’t be funded because the cigarette money was no longer there. That doesn’t sound very conservative does it?
In my bankruptcy law practice, each of my clients has to prepare a financial statement showing their income and expenses, so I have gotten to see hundreds of examples of what it costs to raise a family and to live even a modest lifestyle. My clients have to learn how to live within a budget, just like my husband and I do, so why can’t our state government do the same?
Republicans have won a lot of elections by promising to cut taxes, but ask yourself, has your overall tax bill gone down over the past ten years? No, because the folks in Columbia merely shift taxes, not cut them. In one election year they reduce your car tax while raising taxes on your home. In the next election year, they reduce your school tax while raising your sales tax. As your state senator, I will not support any income tax increase. I also promise that I will not vote for any tax increases unless the revenues are earmarked for a specific purpose that benefits the citizens of South Carolina.
Religion
I was born and raised here in District 16. My family has lived in Lancaster County for over 270 years. I was raised in First Baptist Church Lancaster, and my belief in Jesus Christ affects every part of my life and every decision in my life. I do not wear my religion on my sleeve and I will not use my religion to win an election, but I do believe that a candidate’s personal faith yields insight into how he or she will serve. I am happy to share a few of my favorite Bible verses with you.
Jesus answered him, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39
Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Luke 6:37
For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:2
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
You mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Family Values
For years, manipulative politicians have used the term "family values" to threaten and divide people and, at the end of the day, no one benefits – parents still worry about the safety of their children, senior citizens still struggle in silence and wonder how they will pay their bills, the homeless are still left to fend for themselves, and the unemployed are still jobless. I believe that loving your neighbor as you love yourself (Matthew 22:39), taking care of those in need (Acts 4:34-35, James 2:6), working hard (2 Chronicles 31:21), and looking out for our planet Earth (Revelation 7:3) ARE ALL FAMILY VALUES. I am confident that the vast majority of my neighbors here in Lancaster, Fort Mill, Indian Land, Rock Hill and all the communities in between believe in these truths and that together we can PUT THESE REAL FAMILY VALUES BACK INTO POLITICS.