Democratic gubernatorial nominee Vincent Sheheen says he would veto any efforts to provide public aid for private-school tuition and Republican cuts to education.
His opponent, Lexington state Rep. Nikki Haley, plans to release an education proposal this morning, but Sheheen, a Kershaw County state senator, was quick to invoke the hot-button voucher issue she has supported in the past. Providing parents vouchers or tax credits to pay private-school tuition has been the most consistently divisive legislative issue since Gov. Mark Sanford took office in 2003 supporting the concept. Lawmakers have yet to approve any version of the idea.
“For the last eight years, we’ve spent our time talking about vouchers when we should be talking about how to improve public education,” Sheheen said. “Enough is enough, and I’m standing today for public education.”
Sheheen said he would end teacher pay cuts and reduce class sizes.
Sheheen also blamed Republicans for an “unhealthy” obsession with standardized tests, which he said prevent teachers from doing their job.
From Frank Holleman
A keystone of the REPUBLICAN campaign has been support for tax credits for private school tuition. These tax credits are really vouchers dressed up in a different outfit; political promoters of vouchers discovered that vouchers are unpopular, so vouchers were transformed to tax credits. The state Board of Economic Advisors had examined private tuition tax credit proposals before, and they would cost the state budget hundreds of millions of dollars. They would also undercut our public schools and inevitably raise taxes for other taxpayers.
These tax credit schemes are my opponent's most prominent proposals for education in South Carolina, and perhaps the most expensive proposals by any candidate for any statewide office.
(Columbia, SC) – Conservation Voters of South Carolina endorses Christine Jackson for election to the House of Representatives in the race for District 98 in Dorchester and Charleston Counties.
“Jackson is committed to smart growth policies,” said Executive Director Ann Timberlake. “Her goal is for District 98 to be a business model for an environmental, economical and socially sustainable community.”
Christine Jackson would also support funding for South Carolina’s landmark Conservation Bank that works with local land trusts to voluntarily protect natural and historic places. And she would support legislation to manage how much water can be drawn out of South Carolina’s lakes and rivers.
Candidates earn Conservation Voters’ support through an endorsement process that includes an examination of the candidates’ records, questionnaire responses and interviews. “Christine Jackson will oppose attempts to import more out of state trash by weakening existing solid waste management regulations,” Timberlake added, “but most importantly, she is passionate about protecting the health and safety of her community.”
Since 2002, Conservation Voters has been making traditional conservation values a priority for elected leaders. The independent bipartisan organization holds elected leaders accountable and publishes a biennial Conservation Scorecard.