Caucus Press Release: House Balances Budget, Cuts Spending, Does Not Raise Taxes in State Budget
Mar 12, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information:
Chairman Dan Cooper
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Majority Leader Merrill
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House Balances Budget, Cuts Spending,
Does Not Raise Taxes in State Budget
COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina House of Representatives gave key approval to the 2008-2009 state budget today, reducing spending by 4.5 percent.
The $7.2 billion budget fully funds public schools and college scholarships, gives state employees a pay raise, fully funds healthcare, reduces the number of "annualizations" and increases the number of state troopers patrolling our roads.
Since Republicans began writing the state budget, they have limited state government growth to 4 percent a year. The House Republican Caucus defeated attempts to raise taxes in an effort to increase spending. The Caucus successfully tabled 65 amendments totaling $30.3 million. The balanced budget was achieved despite a shortfall in tax revenue because of a slowing economy.
"As we did early on in this decade, the House Republicans cut spending rather than raise taxes to balance the budget," said Majority Leader Jim Merrill. "When we find ourselves in tough times, the government can't raise taxes and keep spending when all taxpayers are having to tighten their belts."
The House did not make cuts to the budgets of public schools and kept the state on the school bus replacement cycle approved several years ago. In addition, the budget includes money for 30 new state highway patrol troopers.
The Caucus was led on the floor by House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Cooper of Piedmont.
"This budget cuts government while still funding our Caucus priorities," said Chairman Cooper. "We start this budget process months in advance and every taxpayer dollar we spend is scrutinized at many levels. This is a good budget that meets the needs of our state while still holding true to our Republican principles."
The budget now heads to the Senate. A final state budget should be completed in late May or early June.
"In the midst of a nation-wide economic slow down, the House rejected efforts to raise taxes and instead funded key areas of government while cutting others," House Speaker Bobby Harrell said. "I am pleased to see the House pass a budget that addresses our state's educational priorities, our health care concerns and focuses on key economic development tools needed to grow our state's economy."
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