CONTACT INFORMATION:
803.530.2550 • 109 Sommerford Ct. • Lexington, SC 29072
Email: todd@atwaterforhouse.com
Paid for by Todd Atwater for House
Putting South Carolinians back to work is the biggest issue facing our State. At 12.3% unemployment, South Carolina is tied with California and Nevada as the third highest unemployment rate in the nation. There are numerous reforms we can, and must, do to unleash prosperity for the families and businesses of our State. First, we need to reform our tax code by lowering or eliminating personal income and sales taxes, reducing manufacturing property taxes, and by eliminating corporate income taxes and special interest tax breaks. Next, we need to cut government red tape by reviewing regulations to insure they are serving the common good and not hampering the growth of jobs. Third, we need to continue the push for tort reform. I had the privilege of helping to usher in medical malpractice reform in South Carolina and we can expand this to the business sector of our economy. Finally, we need to promote the opportunities provided by our technical colleges and provide incentives for welfare-eligible individuals to choose employment. I will lead the charge to make South Carolina a national leader in economic growth.
Our state’s budget continues to grow at an unacceptable pace. From 2005 to 2008 our state government grew by 43 percent. In 2007 and 2008, we had surpluses of $1 billion and $1.5 billion. Unfortunately, the General Assembly did not choose to return this money to the taxpayer. Instead, it chose to spend the money and now cannot account for it, and virtually nothing was set aside for lean years. Fast forward. This past year, our budget was nearly $1 BILLION short of its estimated collections. What did the General Assembly do? They chose across-the-board cuts rather than removing less worthy programs or prioritizing our spending. Instead of leadership, there were threats that teachers and police officers would be cut. This was nothing more than a scare tactic to justify the acceptance of federal stimulus funds. It showed no real attempts at long term solutions. We need to return to sound fiscal management. The state should only take in what is necessary and return the rest to the taxpayer. Additionally, the growth of government and its spending should be limited by statute.
When in office, I pledge to support legislation that will end the out of control expenditure cycle. In my home, we save for a rainy day. When that day comes, we try very, very hard to not spend that fund. Why can’t our state government act the same way. Unfortunately, when it isn’t their money, they seem to treat it as a tool to secure their seat in office rather than doing what is right and being tight with the money the state receives. In addition, I believe the state ought to think more than twice before it takes hard earned money from any person in South Carolina. Remember, it is your money first! Unfortunately, too many office holders believe they should dip into your paycheck before you do. This is simply wrong and must be stopped.
Health Care
Is our system of health care in need of reform? Absolutely! Unfortunately, those in control of our Federal government see this need as an opportunity to gain control and power. Raising taxes, delaying benefits and crushing the free market are not solutions to our problems. Creating transparency in cost of premiums and allowing the purchase of insurance from other states are free market reforms that would create a better system of delivery and accountability. In addition, quality naturally becomes a focus when the market is allowed to work. New devices and medicines are created out of the needs of the patients as recognized by the free market. They are not created out of the research laboratories of the federal government. We also must eliminate the denial of claims or non-coverage due to pre-existing conditions. This can be done. For the past seven years, I have run a competitive insurance company that allows these claims and covers pre-existing conditions. Access to health care is not the problem; paying for it is. We can take further stress off of families with these and other reforms.
Finally, health care is between a patient and their doctor. Let’s eliminate the third party interference by insurance companies and government in treatment decisions. Let the patient and doctor decide what is best.
I had the privilege of growing up in Lexington County and attending some of the finest public schools in our state. I am proud of Lexington District One and my first pledge will be to do everything I can to ensure each child is best served. We can work together to ensure Lexington District 1 continues to lead the state in educating our children.
Recently, I had the privilege to listen to a number of teachers in our local schools. They honored me by allowing me to take time from their families and busy schedules, and in an informal roundtable setting, to discuss what is right and what needs improvement in our schools. First, I say thank you to those who made this effort. I consider it an honor to support you and your efforts. Second, I say we will support you in the classroom. I will work to unshackle our educators from the myriad of meetings and paperwork that seem to serve little purpose but to sustain the jobs of Washington bureaucrats.
The curriculum should be challenging, rigorous and fair. We should create an environment best suited for the child and allow our parents and teachers the freedom to meet each student on their level with the best resources and methods available. We cannot continue to force parents, teachers and children to throw common sense out the window. We have the resources. We must deploy them better and focus, again, on the classroom. Bottom line: let teachers teach and let students learn and achieve.
In addition, there are a great many concerns every parent has when sending children to school. As a father of two primary school students, I worry more each day for their safety at school than their educational well-being. A parent should not have the slightest concern with safety. School safety will remain a top priority when elected.
I believe the family is the most basic and the most vital of all human institutions. It is what strengthens us as individuals and bonds us as a society. The break-down of the family over the last several generations has caused innumerable problems resulting in astounding costs to lives, society and government coffers. Our government’s role should be to enact policies that encourage and strengthen families and to provide incentives that encourage the dignity of responsibility. I have been privileged to financially support and to be a Board member of the Palmetto Family Council. The Palmetto Family Council is a non-profit, faith-based educational foundation committed to “defending and strengthening South Carolina families.” As a husband and father, I cannot think of a more worthy goal.
Unlike many ‘rights’ now claimed, the right to life was one of the specifically enumerated ideals of our founding fathers. Sadly, it is also one of our rights most under attack. I believe it is the duty of government to protect its citizens, and especially the most vulnerable among us. This includes the unborn, the elderly and those with special needs. We are created by God and our laws should reflect the purposeful protection of life.
The issues surrounding abortion are highly emotional. We should strive to help anyone who is in the difficult situation of an unwanted pregnancy. Having volunteered at Birthright, a Christian pregnancy counseling center, I have seen the difficulties and sometimes desperation, women face when becoming pregnant. I have also seen that with prayer, guidance and a helping hand, miracles happen in the lives of those who choose life.
It always surprises me to hear people attack the second amendment. It is the right of every American to own and use firearms. This right is so critical that our Founding Fathers clearly defined it in absolute terms. If we lose or curtail that amendment, which one will be next? Thomas Jefferson said that when government fears the people, there is liberty, but when the people fear the government, there is tyranny. This is really the idea behind our right to bear arms. Some argue we are safer by eliminating guns, but study upon study shows otherwise. I own guns and I do not mind the instant background checks and other safety measures. But, I will not support attempts to eliminate this fundamental right as a citizen under the guise of safety.
South Carolina is blessed with abundant natural resources! We are commanded by God to be good stewards of the earth. We should use and conserve our environment; protect and improve it for future generations. In the name of protection, too many politicians and special interest groups today are placing the creation above the Creator and worsening our standard of living.
Legislation such as the ‘Cap and trade’ bill, which should be known as ‘cap and control’, will limit our productivity, raise the cost of necessities and destroy our free market. While we all want clean air, clean water and a clean environment, there is a balance we must strive to achieve. Unfortunately, the focus seems out of balance.
Most people and most companies do care about the environment and want clean air and water. If companies or individuals harm the environment they should be held accountable, because we are all harmed. However, in the name of the environment, we cannot continue to destroy the freedoms we enjoy. Those who practice eco-terrorism should be prosecuted and those who purposely harm the environment should be held accountable as well.
Todd’s 4-point Economic Plan
Lower our Tax Burdens
We must work to alleviate the tax and regulatory burdens on our small businesses. With a majority of all new jobs being created by small businesses, we cannot ignore their impact and must support their growth. In addition, home-grown jobs are more permanent and most likely to stay in South Carolina during good and bad economic times. We must also work to attract new businesses to South Carolina, and that’s why we should eliminate the corporate income tax.
Enact Zero Based Budgeting
Every state agency should annually justify their expenditures rather than present budgets based on last year’s spending. We should prioritize essential services and not government growth. Families across Lexington County plan their yearly budgets this way…State government must do the same.
Educate and Train Tomorrow’s Workforce
Our student funding formula for primary and secondary schools should be reviewed to ensure more of our tax dollars goes where it belongs–in the classroom. We must reduce the administrative burdens on our principals and teachers and give them more flexibility in curriculum.
Support our State’s Infrastructure
Lowering our tax burden is one way to attract businesses to South Carolina, but we must also invest and protect our state’s infrastructure. Good roads, ports, bridges, and railroads will make our state more attractive for businesses looking to relocate and grow.
