As a first-term legislator, representing House District 48, I
believe we have had a successful year of passing and enacting
common-sense legislation.
Topping the list of important bills passed were the meaningful
tort reform, full funding for education in accordance with the
Education Finance Act, and the reduction of the state income tax for
small businesses. As a businessman, one glaring problem I saw this
year is the continued spending spree of our surplus tax dollars by
the General Assembly.
I became a legislator because I feel that I should treat your tax
dollars like I would my own money. I voted to sustain 98 percent of
Gov. (Mark) Sanford's vetoes because I believe we should run our
government like we would run our household.
Sanford met with the Republican and Democratic members of the
General Assembly and distributed copies of the individual budget
line items he intended to veto. His message was simple and
straightforward. The vetoes were not about individual items but were
more about living within our means and not allowing government to
grow more rapidly than the people's income, plus inflation, and to
repay the trust funds first and foremost.
Consider these facts: South Carolina has an overall budget of
roughly $5.8 billion dollars; the additional revenue the taxpayers
sent to our 2005 state coffers, from the previous year, was $707
million. Sanford wanted to save a portion of this money to reimburse
our trust fund balance from which we borrowed last year. Simply
stated, he does not believe that we should let your hard-earned tax
dollars burn a hole in the legislature's pockets.
I agree with Sanford. We should save some of the money. As
you budget your household expenses, do you think you should spend
every dime you make? Don't you think it is wise to put back money
for the future? Even though it would be nice to redo your home or
buy a new boat, it makes sense to me to conserve your hard-earned
money in case you fall upon hard times.
Although I agree that some of the individual projects that
Sanford vetoed were worthwhile, I voted to sustain these vetoes,
including voting against my hometown projects, because it would be
hypocritical to agree to funding for my hometown projects and not
those of other cities. I believe that true fiscal responsibility
begins with setting priorities, cutting all nonessential
expenditures and demanding performance and accountability.
At the end of the day, folks, taxpayers' money is "sacred money,"
and as elected officials, conservatism of our tax dollars is our
duty and responsibility.
Rep. Ralph Norman
District 48, York County
