We had our first meeting with Bryant for Senate volunteers on Monday night. I am excited to have the support of these good folks as well as many more that couldn’t make it. The positive message of reform as resonated very well in Anderson County, and we need to keep it up. Also, we had a visit with our good Congressman Gresham Barrett. They say in politics not to mix races, but in this case, we’ll be breaking the rules. We can’t permit Nancy Pelosi’s liberal Democrats gain traction in SC’s 3^rd Congressional district, so I don’t mind telling you I’ll be Barrett’s #1 foot soldier.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
THE SENATE

For Immediate Release
April 22, 2008

MEDIA ADVISORY
Senator Bryant Invites Comptroller to Discuss Online Registers
Public and local government officials invited to hear presentation

Columbia, SC – Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson), has invited South Carolina Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom to the Corner Bagel Shop (715 E. Greenville St., Anderson) on Monday, April 28 at 12:00 P.M. to discuss how his office is providing online expense registers for 70 state agencies at no additional cost to South Carolina taxpayers.

WHO: Senator Kevin Bryant and South Carolina Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom,

WHAT: Online Check and Credit Card Registers

WHERE: Corner Bagel Shop, 715 E. Greenville Street, Anderson, SC  29621

WHEN: Monday, April 28, 12:00 PM

WHY:Senator Bryant will talk about the amendment to the state budget require counties to post check registers and credit card expenses on line to in order to receive reimbursement money from the state for general operating expenses.

South Carolina Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom will demonstrate how his office is providing online expense registers for 70 state agencies with no additional cost to South Carolina taxpayers.

“The proviso adopted last week during the Senate budget debate requires local governments to post expenses online in order to receive certain general operating funds back from the state,” says Senator Bryant. “The Comptroller General’s presentation is intended to help county officials in my district comply with that proviso. I would like to see standing room only for the Comptroller General’s presentation. I specifically encourage all local and county officials to attend, to see how easy it is to place expenses online.”

For more information, please contact Senator Kevin Bryant at 864-202-8394.

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          My name is Joshua Phillips.  I am a 10^th grade student that recently had the privilege of shadowing Senator Bryant for a day.  While in Columbia, I read and analyzed a bill that was being brought before the finance committee that afternoon.  The bill calls for appropriating funds to pay for “at risk” students’ attendance in full day, four-year-old kindergarten.  The program would allow the funding to apply to private, as well as public schools.  A number of problems exist within this bill.

          First, there are presently fully funded public four-year-old kindergartens for “at risk” students.  The impetus behind the bill is obviously not to give at risk children a chance to participate in four-old-kindergarten, for a system is already in place that provides this service.  The bill actually creates a voucher program allowing four-year-olds to attend private schools at the state’s expense.  This could cause trouble for the private schools who accept the funding.  Under Section 59-35-390 of the bill, schools that accept the funding must relinquish control over the curriculum and follow the guidelines set by the First Steps state educational program.  In addition, all instructors must be state certified and selected.  The bill seems to promote educational choice, but in reality, it only allows the government to expand its influence further into private education.  Finally, funding the bill would cost the state a massive amount of money.  The finance committee estimated that the cost of implementing the bill could total as much as $185 million.

          If the bill is passed, private schools may be lured into accepting the funding, only to have increased government authority over their system.  Under the guise of educational choice,the bill would increase governmental authority and involvement in education.

update: anderson independent’s coverage saturday, april 19th
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINATHE SENATE
For Immediate Release
April 16, 2008

Senator Bryant Gains Approval for Online Register
State would withhold general operating funding to noncompliant counties.

Columbia, SC – As part of the ongoing Senate budget debate Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) today proposed a proviso to the budget that would withhold general operating funding the state returns to county governments for one year unless the county maintains an online, searchable, register of expenses that includes all checks over $100 and county credit card statements. The Senate voted to adopt the proviso to the General Appropriations Bill.
                            
“Finally the taxpayer will have easy access to see how his or her hard earn taxpayer money is being spent,” says Senator Bryant.
                          
The amendment requires the register be updated once a month and include the amount of the expenditure, name of the payee, and an explanation on the purpose of the expenditure. The register will not include salaries or information that can identify individual employees. The monthly additions to the register must be maintained online for at least one-year.
                             
Today’s action is similar to the Truth in Spending Act (S.1144) Senator Bryant co-sponsored earlier this year, although the proviso would only be enacted for fiscal year 2008-2009. The State Comptroller General, Richard Eckstrom, is currently maintaining similar state agency registers for little or no additional cost. The comptroller’s office has offered its assistance to local governments to help them fulfill this requirement. Sen. Bryant may be reached on his cell phone for additional comments at 864.202.8394.
                           
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Douglas Ford
Majority Communications Director
South Carolina Senate
803.212.6295 – office

We’ve examined the appropriations bill for anything labeled special project. At this point, the tally is $249,925,878.00. Click here to see the list yourself . While some of these special projects are certainly justifiable, ya’ll may agree there are some questionable items in a “lean” budget year. I’m disappointed in this year’s process. Sure, it’s much easier to apply across the board cuts, but that’s not how it’s done at the kitchen table when families toil their budget. We scrutinize each expenditure and decide priorities. I disagree with those that will call this is a pork free budget, but I guess “pork is in the eye of the beholder.” Other essential items not getting attention are state employee pay raises and new school busses. Several amendments where offered Tuesday with little accomplishments. We’ll try to tackle some of the problems on Wednesday, so keep your fingers crossed.