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Caucus Press Release: Speaker Harrell Pre-files Earmark Reform Bill
Dec 11, 2007
Office of the Speaker
SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Greg Foster
(803) 734-3125
fosterg@scstatehouse.net
Speaker Harrell Pre-files Earmark Reform Bill
Harrell takes first step in eliminating hidden earmark spending
COLUMBIA -- House Speaker Bobby Harrell announced today the pre-filing of legislation that will put a stop to hidden earmark spending in our state's budget.
"This is the taxpayers' money we are talking about; they have the right to know exactly how it is being spent," Speaker Harrell commented. "Hidden earmarks have long been used as a way to put pork barrel projects into the budget. By shedding light on this subject, we will make great steps in having better fiscal responsibility in our state budget."
Earmark reform has been a widely debated topic on the federal level but the U.S. Congress has yet to change. State lawmakers have now assessed their own system and are acting to end the hidden pork process on the state level.
Speaker Harrell said, "Hidden Earmarks have been a real problem in the spending spree that is known as our federal budget. Unlike our counterpoints in Congress, we at the state level have always passed a balanced budget that consistently includes tax cuts and has held state government growth to an average of 4.9 percent a year since Republicans have been in charge of writing the budget. I hope our actions serve as an example to Congress and encourage them to pass a law that will end their pork spending addiction."
The reform bill will require legislators to attach their name and a description of the spending project to any non-agency request included for consideration in our state's budget. This separate document will be made available to the public throughout the budget process.
In addition to eliminating hidden earmark spending through legislation, Speaker Harrell also plans to remove the practice through a change to House Rules. The rules governing the actions of the House are allowed to be changed at the beginning of each session.
Speaker Harrell continued, "A rule change along with this legislation will show the House's dedication to ending this practice of hidden spending in our state's budget."
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