October 20, 2004

Party: Republican
Age: 66
Occupation: Chief executive officer O’Dell Corp.
Education: The Citadel
Family: married, two children.

Q. The state’s share of school funding has declined over time from about 80 percent to 40 percent. What role should the state have in funding public education?
• Acknowledges that state has an obligation to fund education "to the best of its ability," but won’t raise taxes to raise funding for education
• As a proportion of per capita income only West Virginia and Georgia spend more per pupil, and would like extra spending to be tied to results
• Any extra money should "flow down to the teacher level."

Q. Do you support Gov. Mark Sanford’s "Put Parents in Charge" legislation to create tax credit for private schooling?
• Agrees, disagrees with some aspects; legislation brings things to the table that must be looked at
• Supports vouchers so long as per pupil funding for public education is maintained; would not support giving vouchers worth more than per-pupil funding

Q. The state enacted a 1-cent sales tax earmarked for education but only 72 percent actually now goes to schools. How do you feel about that?
• Supports reverting sales tax money back to education in full, which he thinks possible with improving economy
• Pointed out that education was protected and did not suffer cuts as steep as other agencies, but state could not focus solely on one agency at the expense of all others

Q. What’s your plan for funding Medicaid?
• Favors cigarette tax as a "no-brainer"
• Maximum 52-cent increase wouldn’t match federal Medicaid money at current level and disputes the idea that 160,000 children would be added to the health insurance rolls as opponent suggests
• Won’t raise general taxes to fund Medicaid; hopes state revenue stream will pick up

Q. Gov. Sanford has proposed axing Clemson University’s extension service. Do you support his plan?
• "Definitely need" Clemson extension service, serves mom and pop farmers well, and "that’s the people I’m interested in"
• Needs governor to show him "specific areas" of fat in extension service budget to support cuts

Q. Is it necessary to spend money on lottery advertising?
• Thinks the state appointed lottery commission should decide; does not believe in legislators micro-managing

Copyright 2004, Anderson Independent Mail. All Rights Reserved.