It appears that the remedy for the recent candidate filing fiasco will go unresolved. For this cycle, there are 2 sets of rules for the statement of economic interests: 1-Incumbents have a deadline of April 15th, if they are late, they pay a fine. 2-Non-imcumbents have a March 30th deadline, if they’re late, they get disqualified. Incumbents get a slap on the wrist, non-incumbents get the death penalty.

Now, the only option the nearly 200 non-incumbents have is to run as a 3rd party, write in, or petition candidate. Normally, these kinds of campaigns are rarely successful. One of the reasons is because of straight ticket voting. In Anderson County, nearly 50% of voters vote a straight ticket, Republican or Democrat.

Since this is a historical event in South Carolina’s election history, I introduced s.1532, which will suspend straight ticket voting for the general election in 2012. Many opposed s.1512. One of the reasons was because they didn’t want to jeopardize moving the June 12th partisan primary to a later date. All changes in election law in SC require pre-clearance by the U.S. Justice Department. S.1532, should it pass, would also require this clearance, but we’d have 6 months.

S.1532 gives the unusual amount of petition, write-in, and 3rd party candidates, an even chance. I chose to apply the bill to only one election. Should we eliminate straight ticket voting forever? I’ll save that debate for a later date.

I hope you’re enjoying the cool weather break this beuatiful spring. It’s only 4 weeks until the election, so here’s a few campaign and legislative updates.

Yard Signs and Car Stickers
Several hundred supporters are asking for a sign for their yard and/or stickers for their cars. If you would like either of these to show your support, please let me know. I’d be honored if you’d consider displaying your support to your neighbors.

Also, we’re close to getting up 100 of the large 4×6 signs. If you know of a location on a busy road in the district, please let us know.

Contribution
As you know, our crystal clear conservative record mirrors South Carolina values. You also know that it is expensive to get out this message.

I know times are tight, but if you could check your sofa for any loose change, we would be grateful.

We accept online payments at kevinbryant.com and checks can be mailed to 104-a North Avenue, Anderson SC 29625. I even have a gadget on my cell phone that will swipe credit cards.

GOTV (get out the vote)
We’re planning on canvassing neighborhoods on Saturday, June 2nd and Saturday, June 9th. We’re also going to need volunteers to do phone banking prior to the June 12th Republican primary. We’d love to have you help!

Port of Charleston
In the near future the Panama Canal will be expanded to allow new, larger super tankers. Currently, the Port of Charleston cannot handle these large ships, and everyone agrees that dredging must occur to expand the port’s ability to accommodate these larger ships.

S.1431 is a bill that will commit an extra $120 million to the project if the Feds don’t deliver their share. I understand if SC informs potential port customers that we’ve committed $300 million to the dredging, it would be a great benefit, however, s.1431 raises SC’s debt ceiling and borrows the money. Now, haven’t we seen this movie before? I am 100% in favor of the port expansion, however I am 100% opposed to heaping $120 million on the already $32 billion of debt held by our future generations.

I used a procedure to block s.1431 until a commitment was made to secure $20 million in extra debt payments this year. I still couldn’t
vote for s.1431 because we should’ve paid more on the debt, but I did remove my objection.

This is the oldest trick in the book for politicians. They raise taxes (borrowing is raising taxes on your children) on a very popular, important project, then, they fund pork projects behind your back.

Budget
State economists added an extra $274 million to the state budget this week; the result of South Carolina adding 26,000 jobs over the last 12 months. The new jobs are encouraging, but the extra revenue must be dealt with responsibly.

I’ve introduced a budget amendment to fund a tax cut to the tune of $93 million both for an income tax cut and for a tax cut for small businessowners. More amendments will be offered for responsible spending of this extra cash like tax cuts, debt payment, or efforts to repair our crumbling roads and bridges. The full Senate takes up the Budget on Tuesday, May 15th.

As you know, many in the legislation would rather fund pork projects, so this will be a contentious debate.

Again, it is an honor to serve you in the Legislature and I’d like to continue carrying the conservative banner in Columbia.
I ask for your consideration in the June 12th Republican primary. If you have any questions about any issues, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Site Contact: Benjamin Franco , On Scene Coordinator, Franco.Benjamin@epa.gov

2060 Frontage Road, Anderson, SC 29621, www.epaosc.org/flexaform
While responding to the American Screw and Rivet Site, OSC Crowley and SCDHEC observed a nearby site consisting of several overturned drums, a dilapidated building, and stained soils. SCDHEC met with the owner of the facility, finding that it was a closed springs manufacturer and the owner was now a hobbyist manufacturing biodiesel. SCDHEC requested that the owner provide cleanup for the spilled materials and requested EPA assistance in addressing the site. OSC Crowley met with the owner, who concluded that he would be unable to undertake the cleanup requests being made. With approved access, OSC Crowley and START conducted a walkthrough of the site, documenting over 100 drums and totes, several more small containers, significant soil staining, discolored vegetation, and one or more fuming drums. In addition to biodiesel, some chemicals found include Barium Chloride, Sodium Cyanide, Arsenic Acis, Hydrochloric Acis, Hydrobromic Acid, Isopropyl Ether, and Picric Acid. START will establish perimeter air monitoring around the site and begin making entries to collect samples for hazcatting. ERRS will mobilize to begin removing impacted soils and establishing a staging area for materials.