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Democratic leadership:
Sanford ‘out of touch’ with South Carolinians

By LEE HENDREN
T&D Staff Writer

Revenues from a cigarette tax increase should be spent on health care costs, not tax relief, three Democratic leaders said in response to Gov. Mark Sanford’s budget proposal.

Here’s what they had to say:

  • Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg:

    “The governor has once again shown himself to be out of touch with regular folks. There is overwhelming support for an increase in the cigarette tax. But the money raised should go to health care costs, like assisting small business with affordable health care insurance for employees.

    “Sanford should face the reality that close to 20 percent of our population is uninsured – mainly working men and women.

    “A cigarette tax increase would go a long way to closing the insurance gap that exists in our state and help small businesses provide coverage for their employees.

    “Instead of tax giveaways to the elite, the governor should be talking about ways to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians.”

  • Rep. Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, leader of the Democratic House Caucus:

    “Once again the governor has demonstrated that he is out of touch with the needs of South Carolinians.

    “Over three-quarters of a million of our citizens are without health insurance, and poll after poll shows that a majority of people support a cigarette tax to help pay for health insurance. This should be a budget priority.

    “Democrats in the Statehouse have led the fight to provide real assistance to working families. Our proposed cigarette tax bill would help people gain access to the health care they deserve. The House Democratic Caucus is committed to this plan, and will continue to work to provide affordable health insurance for our working families and uninsured children.”

  • Lachlan McIntosh, executive director, S.C. Democratic Party:

    “Just because Mark Sanford doesn’t personally know anyone without health insurance doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Once again, this governor is putting the needs of his wine-and-cheese private school chums over the needs of working people and their children.

    “Most South Carolinians who don’t have health insurance are working people, who burn the candle on both ends to raise their families, save for retirement and for their kids’ college education. If someone in a family like this becomes seriously ill, they go into a lifetime of debt and hard times.

    “Working families in South Carolina deserve a governor who at least understands they exist.”

    T&D Staff Writer Lee Hendren can be reached by e-mail at lhendren@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5552. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.