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Article published Jan 16, 2005
2005 General Assembly: Past lessons will guide legislators well in the
future
DAVID H. WILKINS
For the
Herald-Journal
Ten years ago, a group of Republican
representatives made a bold commitment to the people of South Carolina: Make us
the majority party in the S.C. House of Representatives, and we'll enact
sweeping changes in state government, making it more accountable and responsive
to the people it serves.Thus, in the fall of 1994, the Palmetto Pledge was born
and so, too, was the first Republican majority in the House since the days of
Reconstruction.I was privileged to be elected the first Republican speaker of
any Southern state in modern history. A decade later, serving as speaker of the
S.C. House remains the privilege of a lifetime.Over the past 10 years, we have
operated from a philosophy in the S.C. House that views government as a
launching pad rather than a landing.That's why, when we started out in 1995, we
quickly reformed welfare and crafted bills designed to attract world-class
companies and create jobs.Over the ensuing years, the House successfully pushed
for sweeping accountability to our schools, passed historic property tax relief,
created merit-based LIFE scholarships and was the unrelenting force for campaign
finance reform.Emotionally divisive issues like the Confederate flag, video
poker and the lottery were dealt with honorably and effectively.We faced a new
millennium with the optimism that comes from sustained peace and prosperity.And
then, everything changed.We watched helplessly as airplanes were transformed
into bombs, as our countrymen jumped from crumpling towers, as heroes raced into
burning buildings.But out of the twisted metal of 9-11, our country found its
steely core, and, together, our state and our nation continue to meet the
challenges of this new age.Part of that challenge was dealing with the
devastating consequences of an already sluggish national economy thrown into
recession.South Carolina was hit hard. For the first time in 50 years, our
state's revenue collection was less than the previous year.Lawmakers had some
tough decisions to make. We could either cut government or raise taxes. While
others proposed tax increases, the House stood steadfast. And I believe that
we're coming out of this recession because unlike almost every other state in
our nation, we resisted the temptation and the pressure to take the easy way out
and raise taxes.We're on the road to recovery not because we asked South
Carolinians for more of their hard-earned tax dollars but because we demanded
government do more with less.Now as we look ahead, these lessons from the past
will guide us in the future.The House majority has vowed to pass its very
ambitious agenda in the first 90 days of the legislative session. The
cornerstone of our agenda is the Jobs Creation Act of 2005. This comprehensive
legislation focuses on small business -- the backbone of our state economy.It
encourages new entrepreneurs and existing business by providing tax credits and
innovative investment opportunities that right now are reserved for larger
corporations.Our agenda also includes:Tort and medical malpractice reform --
crafted to reduce frivolous lawsuits and excessive verdicts.Income tax reduction
– designed to create jobs and increase per capita income by reducing the top
income tax rate from 7 percent to 4.5 percent over 10 yearsGovernment
restructuring -- has many components. One bill addresses the task of moving more
administrative functions under the executive branch. Another would allow the
governor to appoint some currently elected posts like that of education
superintendent and agriculture commissioner.Education freedom -- again, numerous
bills have been pre-filed and are designed to give parents more flexibility and
options in educating their children.For 10 years, S.C. House members have made
it our business to be pro-business. We have worked to create an environment
where state government does a few things well and then gets out of the way to
let the private sector grow.With education accountability clearly making a
difference in our schools, the changes in state Senate rules and exciting
public-private collaborations like Clemson's automotive research campus bringing
new thinking and high-tech tools to our state, South Carolina has a powerful
momentum.The great poet Walt Whitman once wrote, "The strongest and sweetest
songs yet remain to be sung."I am filled with optimism for our future because I
have been a witness to history as this state and her people have risen to the
daunting challenges of our time.I truly believe South Carolina's best, most
productive days, are those yet to come.David H. Wilkins of Greenville is speaker
of the S.C. Houseof Representatives.