South Carolina Gubernatorial And Lieutenant Gubernatorial Election, 2018 (June 12 Republican Primary)

Good Paying Jobs
I believe we need good-paying jobs for South Carolinians, and that’s why I’m fighting for a better economy that will create more jobs and better-paying jobs.

Since January we’ve added more than 15,000 new jobs from 114 development projects, and our unemployment rate is 3.9% – the lowest since 2001. In fact, there are more South Carolinians working today than ever before in our state’s history.

But we’re not done yet! We will continue to fight for conservative policies that help businesses grow and raise wages.

Lower Taxes
Nothing kills economic prosperity quicker than raising taxes. That is why I am a proponent of a flatter, simpler, and broader tax code and have already cut taxes by double digits on small business owners. Our tax burden must be lowered—Act 388 has placed an unsustainable burden on small businesses.

I know that low taxes are essential for economic growth and investment, which is why I vetoed the largest tax increase in state history.

I’m continuing to push for lower taxes through my new tax plan which will provide relief for South Carolinians in the form of:

A 1% rate reduction over five years for all personal income tax brackets, which will result in $2.2 billion in taxpayer savings through the course of implementation, starting with an immediate $139 million cut that is paid for and certified in this budget; An immediate and full retirement income exemption for military veterans and first responders, including retired state and federal law enforcement, firefighters and peace officers, representing $22 million in relief the first year.

Pro-Life
I believe human life begins at conception. That is why I have issued an executive order prohibiting taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. I believe abstinence-first education should be the official policy in all public schools in the state and am working to get the Personhood Act signed into law.

Cutting Regulations and Red Tape
I believe we have too many regulations and too much red tape keeping our economy from prospering. To that end, I have issued an executive order for state agencies that establishes a framework to promote responsible regulation and find ways to reduce unnecessary regulations. I’m also meeting with local business leaders across our state to discuss the crippling regulations and red tape they face so I can push for their repeal and elimination.

It’s time to shrink the government and unleash and facilitate the innovation, investment, vision, creativity, and prosperity of South Carolina.

NO Sanctuary Cities
I stand firmly against Sanctuary Cities in South Carolina, and that is why I am doing everything in my power to prevent them from ever coming.

Right now, there is no way for the public to know whether their local government enforces state and federal immigration laws. That is why I have asked legislators to strengthen our laws to ban Sanctuary Cities in South Carolina. Before cities and towns are eligible to receive your state tax dollars, they must verify to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) that they are complying and enforcing state and federal immigration law. Trust, but verify…in order to keep our neighborhoods and communities safe from lawlessness.

I have also directed the federal government to cease resettling refugees in South Carolina from the six countries under President Trump’s travel ban. As a former U.S. Attorney and Attorney General of South Carolina, I know that the rule of law is essential to our safety and prosperity – and I will enforce it.

Protecting Religious Freedoms
Religious freedom is the cornerstone of our nation and an America that does not let people exercise their freedom of religion isn’t truly free. Every South Carolinian has the right to practice their faith without fear of persecution and I will always preserve and protect the rights afforded to us by the First Amendment.

Slash the Budget
I believe we need to slash our budget and save taxpayers money. We can start by:

Stopping the practice of buying and owning vehicles and buildings. State agencies should be leasing vehicles and office space through the department of administration instead of purchasing them. Cutting down on excess services. Small state agencies should consolidate their human resources, information technology, and other services to save money, create efficiencies, and reduce their agency footprint. Increasing transparency in our government. We need more transparency in budgeting by eliminating the state budgeting practice of rolling up big ‘pork’ projects in a single appropriation to hide them from the public and cloak their purpose. As an effort to increase oversight and discipline in government spending, I have already vetoed millions of dollars in ‘pork’ projects.

Access to Education
If South Carolina is to remain competitive for future economic development and investment, then our students from all 46 counties must be ready to compete. This is why we are meeting with educators, principals, teachers, parents, and students to chart the strongest path forward so our children can get the education they need to compete in a knowledge-based economy and world. I propose the following to get us there:

The Superintendent of Education should be a cabinet-level position appointed by the governor to bring accountability to our education system. Robust charter schools allow parents to choose the best educational opportunities for their children. We need more. Recruiting new jobs and economic investment will do more to improve educational opportunity than simply sending more money from Columbia. Consolidating school districts in small counties will cut administrative overhead costs, paperwork, and duplication, and put more money and resources into the classrooms for children. Our goal should be to have a certified law enforcement resource officer, be it a policeman or deputy, in every single school – in all 46 counties. Their presence is the best deterrent to preventing violence and crime. With limited state budget resources, we should prioritize those resources toward rewarding, retaining, and recruiting the best teachers possible for the classrooms that need them the most. We know that the keys to a powerful education are good teachers and principals, a supportive home and community, and access to school-choice options with diverse, innovative learning environments. These include traditional public schools, charter schools, magnet programs, homeschooling, private school options and making distance learning available in every corner of the state.

Expanding Our Workforce
I believe we need to grow our workforce so we can get people out of poverty and pursuing opportunity.

Incentive small businesses to participate with local high schools and school districts in apprenticeship programs for students interested in skilled trades. Develop cooperative credentialing agreements between various state regulatory licensing boards and branches of the armed services to make it easier for qualified military personnel to have their skilled professional certification recognized and approved by the state. This will allow veterans find jobs faster and more inexpensively in South Carolina. Expand workforce-training programs to the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services to reduce recidivism and crime The “Be Pro Be Proud” public awareness initiative wll provide information about training resources, currently available positions and descriptions, skills needed, and how to start the process of starting a skilled professional career. The initiative will showcase current skilled professionals’ true vocational pride, highlight the many career opportunities available within these trades, and provide necessary resources and training to those interested.

Investing in our Infrastructure
South Carolina’s infrastructure – our port, roads, and railways – is the engine for our continued economic growth.

That is why we I am working to:

Complete the deepening of Charleston Harbor to become the deepest port on the East Coast Explore I-73 public-private partnership for toll road construction from I-95 to Horry County Reform the Department of Transportation Commission

Pension Reform
We need pension reform. Right now South Carolina’s public employee pension plan has $20+ billion in unfunded liability. That is why I’ve taken the first steps to fix our broken retirement systems and ensure long-term sustainability. By incorporating the following we can continue to prosper while still taking care of our state employees.

Close the defined benefit pension plan and create 401(k)-style defined contribution retirement plans for NEW public employees. Create “contribution enhancements” to new 401(k)-style plan as recognition for employees’ years of service, promotions, or other criteria. Prohibit unfunded cost of living adjustments. Explore raising the age of retirement eligibility. Maintain our commitment to the 11.5% of South Carolina’s population that relies on state retirement systems, while protecting taxpayers from bearing any additional financial burden caused by inaction or indecision.

Protect our Second Amendment
I believe that owning a firearm is the protected right of every American citizen. I will defend the United States Constitution by opposing any encroachment on the rights of law-abiding citizens to own a gun and use it as permitted by state and federal law and support constitutional carry initiatives.

No Refugees in South Carolina
We must protect our families first. In August, I made the decision to ensure that the federal government no longer resettle refugees in South Carolina from the six countries targeted by President Donald Trump’s travel ban until those resettlement processes can be made safe, sound, and secure.

The SC Department of Social Services has made the formal request to block refugees from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from settling in the state—keeping our families safe from harm.

Healthcare
Our healthcare system needs a lot of work, and ensuring health care access and affordability in South Carolina must be a priority. I believe we can achieve this through the following ways:

Removing anti-free market mandates and regulations to allow investment, expansion and ingenuity to health care costs on South Carolina families. Repeal and Replace Obamacare. Combat the opioid crisis by strengthening law enforcement efforts; prevention through opioid database prescription reporting, increased access to treatment infrastructure, and increasing public awareness on the dangers of opioid-based drugs. Encourage healthy behaviors.

Protecting Taxpayers from SCE&G's Failures
South Carolina’s bright economic future and continued job growth require an abundant supply of clean and affordable energy. Without it, we are at a competitive disadvantage.

However, South Carolinians have paid billions to finance the construction of nuclear reactors that may never be completed and now face the prospect of being charged even more to pay off billions of dollars in debt for SCE&G and Santee Cooper.

I want to get the nuclear plants built – or get the people their money back.

SCE&G must immediately stop charging customers the approximately $37 million per month from ratepayers for the abandoned project and begin refunding the money ratepayers have already paid.

The sale of the State’s public utility Santee Cooper, which is currently saddled with $4.3 billion in debt from the project, is the only feasible solution to protect their customers from bearing the cost of this debt through rate increases.^[16]

Economic Development
As Governor, I will protect your wallet by reducing the regulatory burden on businesses. I am a small business owner, and I know first-hand that a special-interest driven tax code, including special breaks for large businesses, but not for small ones, coupled with a massive and counterproductive regulatory burden, are the two greatest impediments to economic development in SC.

A recent study from George Mason University shows that the cumulative effect of regulation in the US has cost about .8% of GDP or about $4 TRILLION since 1980. That also means about $13,000 per year straight out of the pockets of American workers – the regulatory burden is killing businesses and jobs in South Carolina and across America. We must turn the tide to ensure that free enterprise and the free market survive.

I believe the grip of excessive regulation on S.C. businesses is leaving free enterprise in jeopardy and believe this current trend must be corrected to preserve prosperity.

I will push for Government to take a new approach to how we regulate business. Instead of the cumbersome micromanagement of our businesses with paper work, I would rather focus on the investigation and prosecution of fraud, abuse, and corruption.

Limited Government
As Governor, I will promote your liberty by defending conservatism. To me, conservatism reflects the very idea of limited government that pervades the entire Constitution and the idea that legitimate political power must derive from the consent of the governed. That consent is given very sparingly as a tool of last resort; a tool which cannot replace God, family, and common sense; and a tool that must be used as close to the local level as possible in order to keep it accountable to the people.

Reducing your Taxes
As Governor, I will protect your wallet by reducing your taxes because your taxes are too high. They are too high, in part, because government spends too much of your money doing things it shouldn’t be doing. The gas tax we paid prior to the recent increase, for instance, would go much further if it were directed to the real priorities – like actually fixing the roads we use and need – not to build bike paths and green spaces and five-lane roads with hardly any traffic.

In addition, the tax code is far too complicated and that is why I support a fair tax which would eliminate special-interest exemptions and eliminate income tax in favor of a pure consumption tax. It also would eliminate the IRS (and SCDOR). It really goes back to the role of government, and that role does not include picking winners and losers in the free market by manipulating the cost of goods.

You know how to spend your own money, and I favor letting you do it instead of government.

Seniors and Our Aging Population
As Governor, I will promote the liberty of our seniors by being a strong advocate for your needs. In Columbia, it seems that the needs of our seniors are continually pushed to the back burner – that must change.

Most of the funding for senior care comes from the federal government. But, whether it is cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, the spiraling costs of health care and long term care, the shortage of medicare beds or addressing our seniors desire for increased access to at home care – we MUST defend our ever growing senior population against cuts to essential services and advocate for creative solutions to the challenges facing our aging population, such as driving an initiative to partner with our technical and community colleges to address the severe shortage of trained care providers in order to deliver skilled professionals to administer care to our seniors.

I will ensure that senior care gets the attention it deserves.

College Education and Its Challenges
As Governor, I will protect your wallet with initiatives to give college graduates a chance to succeed. South Carolinians seeking higher education often pay too much on the front end for a degree that earns them too little on the back end. Many of our colleges are too focused on their US News and World Report rankings and not on preparing students for the reality of the South Carolina job market–and all the while charging them (and the taxpayer) to live in the equivalent of a five-star resort. Each year sees more and more South Carolina college graduates drowning in a river of debt while tens of thousands of jobs in our state remain unfilled due to lack of properly skilled workers. We must refocus our approach to higher education so that graduates leave with less debt and more skills. It’s not about new buildings and exotic majors. It’s about young people getting good jobs–and those paying the bill–students, parents and taxpayers–getting something of value for their money.

Education
As Governor, I will promote your liberty by empowering parents to have more control of their child’s education. I firmly believe that parents are the primary educators of their children, and government should help, not hinder, parents from fulfilling their role.

Parents are aware of the educational needs of their children more than anyone else, and I am committed to working to give parents more education options, including the ability to decide whether their child attends a public, public charter, private or home school.

Giving parents a full range of school options will not only help their children, it will also create greater competition in the education marketplace, thus improving all the schools in the area.

I am also committed to release teachers from overly burdensome regulations in our education system. Teachers also deserve the freedom to teach in a disciplined classroom.

Good Tort Reform will allow teachers & principals to enforce discipline in our school.

Reducing regulation and administration costs will free up funds and get them where they are needed—the classroom.

Pro-Life
As Governor, I will promote the liberty of every human life as I truly believe that life begins at conception. I believe that life is a fundamental and irrevocable gift from God and that it is incumbent upon us to protect the most vulnerable among us, the unborn, with the full protection of the law.

While no woman should ever be forced to choose between her life and that of her child, ending a child’s life under any other circumstances is an unacceptable taking of human life.

The Second Amendment
As Governor, I will promote your liberty by defending your right to keep and bear arms. I believe that the Second Amendment to our Constitution is clear. The fundamental right of all law-abiding Americans to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon. Period.

The Constitution doesn’t create that right – it ensures that the government can’t take it away. I will always defend your right to protect yourself and your family from those who wish to do harm.

Health Care
As Governor, I will protect your wallet by advocating for the reduction in obstacles preventing real health care reform. Health care delivery in SC suffers from many hurdles, most imposed by government, but the solutions really are fairly simple.

We must open our borders to competition among insurers. We must eliminate government as the decider of who builds health care facilities and where We must move toward a 100% managed-care model for Medicaid (but the managers must be managed). We must continue to grow our economy to reduce the Medicaid rolls and improve the lives and lifestyles of all South Carolinians. As a Registered Pharmacist, I witness waste in healthcare—particularly Medicaid—every single day.^[16]

Accountability, Ethics, and Reform
As South Carolinians, we know that big government causes big problems. The growing size of our state's government has created a culture of corruption which has taken hold in Columbia. A few people have a monopoly on power that should belong to our citizens. Only a true accounting of our situation and strong reforms, which bring about more transparency, will restore the trust of people in their government.

Here are some key elements of my plan to reform our state and eliminate the corruption in South Carolina:

RESTORE MORE LOCAL CONTROL: A large, overbearing state government leads to excessive spending, unnecessary regulations, lack of accountability, and corruption. We will return more power to local governments in order to restore more control to local communities. This will give the people and their community leaders the ability to make decisions that best serve their interests. Your tax money should be going towards your needs. YEARLY FINANCIAL AND "PEOPLE" AUDITS: The taxpayers of South Carolina want and need to know where their money is going, how it's being spent, and the results of that spending. We will conduct full, yearly financial and "people" audits of all 80+ state agencies. A "people" audit is where we make sure the right people are doing the right jobs. Through these audits, we will find out who has abused the trust of the voters. LAUNCH A CITIZEN WATCHDOG WEBSITE: To establish and maintain full accountability and transparency, we will create a Citizen’s Watchdog website so we can hear directly from you. In addition, the site will clearly explain to the public what issues are before the state house, which votes have been cast, and their impact on the people of our state. It’s time for our politicians to be accountable to the citizens who elected them. STRENGTHEN CYBERSECURITY: In 2012, hackers breached South Carolina's Revenue Department. CBS News reports that it was, "... the largest cyber-attack against a state tax agency in the nation." Millions of South Carolinians had their personal information compromised in this inexcusable cybersecurity breach. Preventing online hacking and securing sensitive information has never been more important. To keep your most personal and private information safe, a full cybersecurity audit of all state agencies will be regularly conducted. RESTRUCTURE THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION: Currently, the legislature is responsible for governing itself. This creates a hotbed of corruption and a lack of accountability to voters. The missing part of the puzzle is bringing ethics oversight under one roof. We will restructure the State Ethics Commission and increase the number of investigators, so the Ethics Commission has the authority and ability to monitor and investigate the legislative branch. It is simply the right thing to do. PRESENT AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO REFORM THE AWARDING OF STATE CONTRACTS AND CREATE A MORE COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS: We will develop and implement a plan to promote more competitive bidding on state contracts – especially by local contractors – in order to improve quality and lower costs for taxpayers. Morality, faith, accountability, and a sense of community are the cornerstones of our state. Help me fight to bring back those principles.

Transportation
We will fix South Carolina's roads, and we will not raise your taxes to do it.

Spending on new construction versus maintenance of current roads is out of balance – and taxpayers are paying the price.

Why? The Department of Transportation is a rigged system where funds are being funneled to select counties in order to benefit a handful of politicians and get them re-elected at the taxpayers' expense.

Currently, money for transportation is being poured into select areas whose representatives have near total control, which means most South Carolinians are paying taxes in their communities for roads that are being fixed in other counties. The tax revenue meant for transportation should be more evenly distributed so that every road across our state is developed and maintained with the same level of care. Developing and maintaining our transportation infrastructure is vital to our economy and public safety.

We can do better, and here are key elements of my plan to ensure that transportation funds are used responsibly:

LET LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CONTROL SPENDING ON LOCAL ROADS: By creating transparency so that a handful of politicians can no longer hide transportation money, we will establish true accountability and eliminate corruption. We will more equitably return funding to each of South Carolina's 46 counties, where more local control means more transparency and better decision-making. Local governments will be able to prioritize new construction and maintenance of their roads and bridges based on how the people see fit. AUDIT AND REFORM THE DOT: The South Carolina Department of Transportation is awash in money. We will conduct a complete audit of the Department of Transportation, share this information with the public, and present a reform plan. This will increase transparency, spend money smarter, and improve overall efficiency. We will eliminate political favors, end special earmarks designed to secure re-elections, promote more competitive contract bidding, and ensure a fair and balanced distribution of funds. MORE COMPETITIVE BUILDING PROCESS: We will promote more competitive bidding by local contractors to fix our roads and infrastructure, improve quality, and lower costs for taxpayers. We will also seek out new, but proven, construction techniques to get more years, and more miles, out of our roads at a better cost. CITIZEN INPUT: A group of citizens and transportation experts will come together to find the best solutions for traffic congestion all over South Carolina. IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND SAVE MONEY: If we create safer and more efficient roads, we will lessen the burden on local and state law enforcement agencies as well as emergency services. That will lower costs for taxpayers and, most importantly, save lives. Our roads and our infrastructure are vital to our economy, safety, and everyday lives. Together let's hold our politicians accountable, shed light on wasteful corruption, and give South Carolina some of the best and safest roads in the country.

Budget and Taxes
The hidden truth about our budget is something that no one in our state government likes to talk about. There is weak oversight, minimal accountability, and rampant fiscal irresponsibility.

Currently, the legislature is responsible for auditing all 80+ state agencies. These audits are not independent or transparent, so the public receives limited information. This is another example of the rigged system.

Every year, the state budget goes up, taxes go up, costs go up, but you do not see results to match the spending. It is not acceptable that our state government tries to borrow and beg for money when it can't even adequately tell the people where their tax money has gone.

We will make South Carolina more transparent, more accountable, and much stronger. I will not allow mismanagement and corruption in the State House to risk South Carolina's credit rating.

Here's are some elements of my plan to reform South Carolina's budget and lower taxes:

ANNUAL AUDIT OF STATE BUDGET: We will initiate and enforce a yearly, transparent audit of the state budget and expenditures in conjunction with a yearly audit of each state agency. This will help put an end to the corruption and gross mismanagement of your tax money. By eliminating waste, we will free up millions of dollars, and be able to lower taxes. FULL AUDIT OF STATE PENSION FUND: We will enact a full audit of the state's pension fund and investments, and share those results with the public. We must restore accountability by making sure that the Investment and Retirement Commission answers to the entire state, not just individual districts. I led the fight year after year to keep the state Treasurer, the only elected official accountable to the people, part of the Investment and Retirement Commission. Now, the Treasurer has been removed from the Commission, and it is controlled by a handful of individuals who are not accountable to the voters. This lack of accountability has led to the state's pension fund becoming a black hole, and we are now being told we must borrow our way out of it. This is unacceptable. SHRINK THE SIZE OF MOST STATE AGENCIES BY 5%: I will evaluate every state agency, cut back bloated budgets, eliminate chummy contracts, and shrink the size of our state government. Core services such as law enforcement and first responders will not be affected. MORE LOCAL CONTROL: An expanding, mismanaged government leads to excessive spending, unnecessary regulations, higher taxes, and a culture of corruption. We will return more power to local governments to restore more control to local communities. We must give the people of South Carolina more power to decide where tax money goes on a local level. LOWER TAXES: Previous acts of state government have encouraged larger businesses to locate here by offering lower corporate taxes. But we must ensure these incentives do not work against South Carolina’s small businesses. We must lessen the burden on small businesses by lowering corporate taxes in general. Join me in the fight to shed light on these issues and restore control of our state budget and taxes to you, the people of South Carolina.

South Carolina Seniors
The quality of life for our seniors must be a top priority.

Due to the corruption and wasteful spending within our state government, the full needs of our senior citizens are not being met. They deserve respect and real reforms that will make their lives better.

South Carolina’s senior population is approaching 1 million, but only about 4% are served by the government. We can do better, and we must do better.

As South Carolina's Director of the Office on Aging, I always kept the needs of seniors first in my heart and in my actions. I visited every senior center in South Carolina as part of my personal assessment of the quality of service provided to our seniors. I worked to directly support direct service providers. I initiated an outside audit of the Office on Aging that enabled me to reorganize staff, re-set priorities, improve communication across all levels of the Office, and improve food safety and training processes.

Here are a few elements of my plan to improve and protect the lives of our seniors.

FULL AUDIT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICE ON AGING: As I did when I was South Carolina's Director of the Office on Aging, I will conduct a full audit of the agency to increase accountability, making sure that our tax dollars are being properly spent on the needs of our seniors. ONLY QUALIFIED APPOINTMENTS: Chummy political appointments of unqualified individuals will come to an end. The Office on Aging is not a revolving door for politicians to make subpar political appointments for friends and allies. STRENGTHENING SENIOR CENTERS: Many seniors within our state live well below the poverty line. Many of them go hungry and are alone with no one advocating for them. We will support senior centers across this state and expand their outreach to the communities they serve. INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: To ensure that our seniors can enjoy retirement with fewer financial burdens, we will responsibly increase the homestead exemption for our seniors. PREVENT ELDER ABUSE AND PROTECT SENIORS FROM ONLINE SCAMS: Elder abuse and exploitation is a plague within this state. We will strengthen programs to prevent elder abuse by giving law enforcement agencies the support and training they need. We will also create a special statewide task force of both law enforcement and cybersecurity experts. No longer will the pillars of our society be the prey of despicable predators. INCREASE VISIBILITY OF AND ACCESS TO EXISTING PROGRAMS: Tens of thousands of our senior citizens depend on home-delivered meals. Thousands more depend on transportation to senior centers, which provide them with healthy meals, social activity, and an all around better quality of life. We will bring awareness to the needs of senior center and home programs in order to better serve our seniors. IMRPOVE ACCESS TO HOME HEALTH CARE: We will ensure that all senior citizens, whether in rural or urban areas, have equal access to much-needed home health care. South Carolina seniors did the work, paid the taxes, and laid the foundation for so many of the good things we see in our state today. It is our turn to fight for them.

Jobs, Business and Economic Development
In our great state, we must continue to encourage and support large industries and outside investment in order to create good, new jobs. However, we cannot continue to do this on the backs of small business owners and local entrepreneurs. These individuals face ridiculous and inconsistent regulations, unfair lending practices, and steep taxes. Instead, they should be given many of the same opportunities, freedoms, and exemptions as large corporations and businesses.

Here are some of the things I will do to be a partner in economic development and job creation for South Carolina:

RESTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - WITH A MAJOR FOCUS ON NEW JOBS IN ALL 46 COUNTIES: When I become Governor, the South Carolina Department of Commerce will be completely restructured. I will create a South Carolina Small and Local Business Authority which will focus on investing in our small businesses so they can thrive, and create jobs in our communities. RECRUIT LARGE BUSINESSES: Recruiting large industries into South Carolina typically produces a good return on investment. However, we will also create programs that aid South Carolina's small businesses' access to capital. We cannot keep supporting a few large-scale "select" businesses at the expense of our small businesses. FOCUS ON SMALL BUSINESSES: We will create a Small Business Reform Act which focuses on eliminating unnecessary regulations, lowering taxes on small businesses, and making responsible loans more accessible to small business owners and entrepreneurs. This will ensure our state government is a proper partner with our businesses so we can create good, new jobs. BOOST TOURISM AS A DRIVER OF OUR ECONOMY: Destination Tourism is a major part of our state's economy, and we have an opportunity to bring even more tourism dollars to South Carolina. We will examine a new funding formula which returns revenue more fairly to the counties where funds were originally generated. We will redirect any agency surplus at South Carolina's Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism to make nationwide marketing and advertising campaigns more effective. And we will also examine the potential positive impact on jobs and our economy of shifting the current two (local) to one (state) funding match program to a one-to-one match. MORE LOCAL INPUT AND CONTROL: During my time as a small-town mayor, I became familiar with the importance of local governments. As governor, I will encourage economic growth by working with local governments and empowering them to make decisions that best serve their communities' needs. LOWER TAXES: Previous acts of state government have encouraged larger businesses to locate here by offering lower corporate taxes. But this meant effectively raising the corporate taxes on small business owners. We must lessen the burden on small businesses by lowering the corporate taxes. ELIMINATE JOB-KILLING REGULATIONS: As part of our audit and review of state agencies, we will identify and eliminate burdensome, job-killing regulations. RURAL JOBS DEVELOPMENT: We will create a rural economic jobs and development strategy which will ensure that all parts of South Carolina can see good job growth. KEEP SOUTH CAROLINA RIGHT-TO-WORK: South Carolina has a tradition of being a Right-to-Work state -- and I will keep it that way. By remaining a Right-to-Work state, we encourage job growth, and the growth of businesses, both large and small. LOOK AT RESTRUCTURING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: As part of a review of all agencies, we will consider breaking the Department of Health and Environmental Control into two smaller agencies, taking it from one of the largest and most bureaucratic state agencies and making it work more efficiently. REMAIN A STRONG PARTNER TO AGRIBUSINESS AND FORESTRY: 212,000 jobs and more than $40 billion a year – that is the economic impact of agribusiness and forestry on South Carolina's economy. As governor, I will ensure that South Carolina remains a strong partner in helping these industries thrive and grow. The battle to grow South Carolina's economy and create new jobs is a fight that we will make together.

Education
Tons of money is dumped into South Carolina's education system every year, and we are still ranked at or near the bottom, nationally.

According to the US News and World Report's ranking of all 50 States, South Carolina is dead last in education. This is despite spending 11.7 billion dollars a year on government-run schools, which breaks down to $16,211 per student per year.

South Carolina is also known as the home of the "Corridor of Shame." This is unacceptable. Together, we will eliminate the inefficiency and corruption rife within our education system and focus on preparing South Carolina's children for the challenges of the 21st century.

Here are some ways we will improve education in South Carolina:

AUDIT AND REFORM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: The Board of Education and individual school districts will be thoroughly audited as a part of the overall audit of state agencies. In some areas, funds allocated to districts on a national, state, and local level are not being used to help better the lives of our students. Many students are forced to sit in classrooms with broken desks and ride in run-down buses. When children see that they are part of a system that isn't looking out for them, education is no longer a gateway to the future but a task they must suffer through. MORE TEACHING. LESS TESTING: Not all kids are the same, not all kids learn the same, not all kids test the same. Every student should be able to show their strengths instead of being judged based on an endless string of standardized tests that are created by a corporation that isn't even based in the state. By refocusing our education system on teaching our kids to think and solve problems, we will create the leaders of tomorrow. SUPPORT FOR STEM, VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL PROGRAMS: By supporting and promoting STEM programs throughout the state, we can build an education system that meets the demands of a 21st century jobs economy. We will also encourage and support programs for students who excel in vocational or technical fields. FIX THE TEACHER SHORTAGE: South Carolina faces a teacher shortage. We will develop a plan to bring more good teachers to South Carolina. STRONGER INPUT FROM PARENTS: We will make sure parents and local communities have a strong voice in education decisions by conducting statewide listening tours so we can hear directly from you. LISTEN TO EDUCATORS: Many teachers feel bullied into remaining quiet about the problems in their schools and districts. To combat this, we will conduct statewide listening tours for educators to freely discuss the issues they face in their schools. SUPPORT PROVEN PROGRAMS THAT WORK FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS: In general, the more choices parents have, the better. Competition can lead to better schools. We will support proven, responsible programs that strengthen our public schools, support home schooling, and promote school choice, charter schools, and magnet schools. We will give parents more choices to find the best education "fit" for their child. South Carolinians know that children are our future. Let's fight to make our future bright.

Pro-Life
Biblically, we are called upon to protect the unborn. When it comes to defending the unborn, I choose a Heavenly focus. We can and must do a better job of protecting the most innocent among us.

I am Pro-Life. God tells us in the Book of Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Because of these words, the life of a child, from conception, is a life that I choose to serve. Let's continue the fight to put the lives of children, born and unborn, first.

2nd Amendment
We will not weaken our right to self-defense or surrender the freedom to bear arms, whether for safety, hunting, or recreation.

I believe in our right to bear arms and strongly support the 2nd Amendment. Our Constitution acknowledges what most South Carolinians know to be true: We have a God-given right to protect ourselves, our families, our homes, and our property. As Americans, the Second Amendment is what protects our sacred liberties, and I will fight to help you protect those liberties.

Immigration
Since September 11, 2001, more than 400 Americans have been killed or injured by foreign-based or inspired terrorist attacks. This horrific number doesn't even take into account the terrorist attacks thwarted by state police and the FBI, saving many more Americans.

Just this year alone, the number of people worldwide who have been killed or injured through acts of terrorism is in the thousands. We will do everything possible to keep the citizens of our state from falling victim to this crisis. Our concern has always been and will always be the safety of South Carolinians over the unnecessary influx of dangerous or illegal immigrants who could potentially put our people in harm's way.

We encourage lawful and responsible immigration for people coming to our country and our state seeking a better life for themselves and their families.

But we will do everything within our power to support and aid our law enforcement agencies in preventing illegal immigrants from entering and residing in our state. We will not allow any refugees from known terror-ridden countries or regions into this state without a full and thorough vetting process. Period.

Unite with me in the fight to keep South Carolina safe for ourselves and future generations.

Veterans
They served. They sacrificed.

And we owe them a debt of gratitude and respect.

Even though the federal government sometimes fails our veterans, South Carolina will not. We will work to bridge the gap.

We will make sure veterans and their families have awareness of and access to the benefits they have earned in order to improve their quality of life.

Law Enforcement, Firefighters and Emergency Service Workers
Our brave law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency service workers will receive our full support.

We rely on our first responders and we will make it clear that they can rely on us.

Tourism
Tourism is a major driver of our economy, supporting 10% of South Carolina jobs, and generating $20 billion a year for our state.

As part of my overall jobs and economic development plan, we will boost tourism as a driver of our economy. Destination Tourism is a major part of our state's economy, and we have an opportunity to bring even more tourism dollars to South Carolina. We will examine a new funding formula which returns revenue more fairly to the counties where funds were originally generated. We will redirect any agency surplus at South Carolina's Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism to make nationwide marketing and advertising campaigns more effective. And we will also examine the potential positive impact on jobs and our economy of shifting the current two (local) to one (state) funding match program to a one-to-one match.

Agribusiness and Forestry
212,000 jobs and more than $40 billion a year – that is the economic impact of agribusiness and forestry on South Carolina's economy.

As governor, I will ensure that South Carolina remains a strong partner in helping these industries thrive and grow.^[16]

Jobs
Governor Nikki Haley selected Catherine Templeton to be South Carolina Secretary of Labor because the Governor needed someone who would stick up for jobs and defend our right to work. Governor Haley knew that Catherine had backbone and would be relentless for South Carolina jobs!

Catherine Templeton wants South Carolina to be #1 in the South for new jobs. That means creating a business climate that attracts the manufacturing and high tech jobs that would normally go to Georgia and North Carolina.

Her background in business, manufacturing and labor issues makes Catherine the best candidate for creating the environment we need to take our state’s jobs to the next level; more jobs, high wages, a competitive market for South Carolina workers.

Whether it’s fighting for new roads and infrastructure, keeping taxes low or taking on the liberal unions, Catherine won’t back down.

Family
South Carolina is number one in criminal domestic violence and that hits at the very heart of our families. We have to put families first through the church, our schools, and our communities.

Education
Education is local, but the state and federal government hold a lot of the money. Let’s get it to the kids. Let’s let the teachers teach and the principals lead and when each child of South Carolina is finished, let’s make sure they can support themselves, and one day their own children.

Life
Catherine Templeton believes EVERY life is precious… especially the tiniest.

Catherine is 100% pro-life and will always stick up for the unborn. She knows that every life has a purpose given to us from our Creator and must be defended.

As Governor, she’ll stand up for our conservative values and will not back down.

Veterans
In South Carolina, we build soldiers! When it is time for them to come home, we have to embrace our heroes with a sense of community that recognizes the experiences our Veterans have had, supports what they need as civilians, and capitalizes on the unique skills they bring to the table.

Guns
When it comes to our 2nd Amendment rights, no candidate is stronger than Catherine Templeton. Like you, she believes government doesn’t have the right to tell the citizens of South Carolina how best to defend our families.

Catherine is a gun owner, carries a concealed weapons permit, and is a member of the NRA.

Additionally, she’s a supporter of The South Carolina CWP Program that promotes responsible gun ownership. In the program, applicants receive extensive training from a certified instructor and are taught everything from danger and threatening situation avoidance to proper and safe storage, along with all pertinent law—and, finally, many rounds of supervised operation of a firearm.

On guns—we can count on Catherine to stand up for our constitutional rights and protect our conservative values.

Roads
It’s time we fixed South Carolina’s roads.

For companies looking to expand or relocate to South Carolina, and families planning vacations, the condition of our roads is not just a budget item. It can be a reason to stay away.

Catherine Templeton’s top priority will be creating the infrastructure that propels South Carolina jobs. That means fixing pot holes, repaving high ways, replacing bridges and growing our ports. It’s imperative that South Carolina has what it needs to grow our economy and support our growing industries.

South Carolina can’t afford to not fix our roads. Every day we wait, the problem gets more expensive. If we kicked the can down the road… it’d likely fall into a pot hole.

Taxes
Catherine Templeton is a fiscal conservative. She believes in less taxes, less government, and more freedom for South Carolina taxpayers.

In order to make South Carolina the best place to live, work and raise a family – we need to keep taxes low. Families and businesses thrive when they have the freedom to spend more of their own money.

When taxes are low – businesses and families thrive!

As governor, Catherine Templeton will fight tooth and nail for smart, conservative tax policies that will allow South Carolina to be the #1 job creator in the South.^[16]

Stop the Corruption
Columbia has long been plagued by scandal and corruption. South Carolinians are deservedly suspicious of their government. Politicians hide behind watered-down, toothless ethics laws and a system designed to protect the politically-connected.

John Warren will immediately get to work destroying and dismantling Columbia’s permanent political class and end crony capitalism. He will champion a return to a true citizen legislature by imposing term limits on politicians. And will clean up government by ending no-bid contracts and require every state contract to be awarded through competitive bidding.

Reduce Spending
Both in Washington and Columbia, career politicians have blown our money on bloated programs we don’t need and can’t afford. A true outsider, businessman, and conservative, John Warren will hold state government accountable. As governor, John will implement accountability budgeting that would require each state department and agency to justify every dollar they spend. For the first time, your state government will be held to account for how they handle our money.

Unleash the Job Market
John Warren built one of South Carolina’s fastest growing businesses from the ground up. While working to build his company and create good-paying jobs, John often had to deal with the costly, heavy hand of government regulations.

To unleash the full power of South Carolina’s economy, John will follow President Trump’s lead and reform the state tax code to lower taxes and do away with special interest tax breaks.

Crackdown on Illegal Immigration
Criminal illegal immigrants and the sanctuary cities that harbor them are an immediate threat to the safety of our families. John Warren will ensure sanctuary cities don’t gain a foothold here in South Carolina and he’ll target and eradicate the illegal gangs that plague our communities.

John will authorize law enforcement to check the immigration status of anyone arrested under suspicion of gang activity. And he will make certain that law enforcement has the equipment and funding to keep us safe.

Protect Life at All Stages
John Warren is a Christian conservative who is faithfully committed to defending the sanctity and dignity of every innocent life. The father of two young sons, John is 100% pro-life and will, as governor, lead the fight to pass a state constitutional amendment declaring that life begins at conception.

Invest in Education
We need to unlock the God-given potential of every child by providing them a world-class education that prepares them for college, military service, or a good-paying job. For far too many South Carolina students, access to a high-quality education remains out of reach. As governor, John Warren will take positive steps to improving education in South Carolina by ensuring that our education dollars go directly to students and teachers in the classroom, and by expanding opportunities for parents to decide how best to educate their child through school choice.

Defend Our 2nd Amendment Rights
John Warren is a former Marine Corps Officer who swore an oath to defend the Constitution. And whether hunting down terrorists in Ramadi or taking down bucks in the Lowcountry, John enjoys the rights and freedoms of gun ownership.

As Governor, John will defend of our 2nd Amendment rights, ensuring every law-abiding citizen can protect themselves, their families, and their property. And John will never cede an inch of ground to the radical anti-gun lobby that wants to take those rights away.^[16]