Harvey Peeler

The following letter was written from SC Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd and read at today’s ceremony where Senator Peeler was honored for his work for foster care children:

I’m sorry that I could not be there today, but I wanted you all to know how much I, as a mother and as the Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, appreciate Senator Harvey Peeler’s hard work.

You’ve all heard the phrase “compassionate conservatism.” I’ve known Harvey Peeler for over two decades and I know that term describes him perfectly. He truly cares about people and he knows that we must help those that cannot help themselves, especially our children.

For those of you who do not know, Gordan and I are the parents of two adopted teenage boys. We’ve seen what kids go through as they transition from foster care to adoption. It’s one of the toughest situations a child can go through and the last thing these kids need is government getting in the way or making a tough situation even tougher.

Senator Peeler realizes that sometimes the best thing government can do to help those in need is to simply get out of the way.  It’s much easier to when you don’t have to maneuver through needless red tape or mundane rules. This bill shows exactly what compassionate conservatism means. We can help so many kids by removing restrictions and hard
rules that punish them for situations way beyond their control.

Senator Peeler has a big heart only matched by a can do common sense attitude. That’s why he’s my friend and one of South Carolina’s best State Senators.

Harvey, congratulations on a very well deserved honor.

Your Friend,

Karen Floyd
Chairman
South Carolina Republican Party

Contrary to what some liberals in Washington might think, you can’t spend your way out of a recession. Take, for example, your average family.  Mortgages, car payments and other bills put strains on the family budget. Now, suppose the family income drops. There are decisions to make – hard ones. But one decision that doesn’t make any financial sense is borrowing more and spending more, because while that may make the present seem fine, the long-term outlook goes from bad to worse. You have to pay back your debts.

But that’s what they’ve been doing in D.C. The debt climbs and climbs from more spending that we simply cannot afford. Fortunately, in the states, the “laboratories of democracy,” the situation is a little different. Here in South Carolina, we’re constitutionally-bound to pass a balanced budget. In the Senate, conservative leaders have been working hard to develop common-sense solutions without the borrow-and-spend, or tax-and-spend methodology that is so popular along the Potomac. During the 2009-2010 legislative session, Senate Republicans made significant accomplishments to move South Carolina forward.

Last year, Senate leaders teamed up with the State Ports Authority to keep international shipping company Maersk from leaving Charleston. The contract between Maersk and the SPA was set to end this year, and the conventional wisdom held that South Carolina’s standing as a cargo hub was going into decline. Thankfully it didn’t happen that way, and Maersk agreed to renew its contract and keep South Carolina ports bustling, which keeps commerce flowing to every region of our state.

Let’s not forget about bringing Boeing to South Carolina. Having the 787 Dreamliner assembly facility in North Charleston means 12,000 new jobs and $787 million in new investment in our state. This is the sort of benefit reaped when a positive business environment is created and government helps business, not over-regulating and over-taxing it.

One way of creating that environment is also having a flexible workforce. South Carolina doesn’t need labor union bosses coming in here and strong-arming state workers like they would be able to do under a card-check law that has been debated in Congress. Now, an amendment to the state constitution is on the November ballot to protect our workers from intimidation and coercion. One reason Boeing came here is that back in Washington State the machinists’ union was causing the company no end of problems with wage disputes and work stoppages.  By approving the constitutional amendment in November, South Carolina can send a strong message to Congress and the Boeings of the world that we are the most business-friendly state in the U.S.A.

It’s more than just new business coming here; we’re attracting new technologies, too. We were able to work with Clemson and its Restoration Institute to bring in a wind turbine energy project that also means millions of dollars in investment and tens of thousands of new jobs. While laying the foundation for new jobs – and new revenue, without raising taxes or borrowing – more work had to be done to assist the unemployed.

It took the entire session, but reform of the former Employment Security Commission was a top priority for the Senate GOP majority. The situation didn’t seem right with the agency, and after senators called for an audit, the Legislative Audit Council came back with a damaging report that showed all we had feared and more. Now, though, the ESC does not exist, replaced by the state Department of Employment and Workforce. Ineffective bureaucracy has been cut out, and changes made to make sure that people who receive unemployment benefits genuinely deserve them. Also, the new department is focused on placing people in jobs, not only cutting checks.

Another needed reform effort was to tackle the South Carolina tax code. For decade upon decade, a lobby or a legislator with a particular interest would pursue a sales tax exemption for this or that, along with other creative tax breaks. Nobody likes paying taxes, but our system has to be simplified. That was the impetus to create the Taxation Realignment Commission, which recently came out with its preliminary recommendations. Many of these suggestions involve the repealing of sales tax exemptions, but it balances out. The proposals are revenue-neutral and actually reduce the overall tax burden on South Carolinians.

It’s not all about dollars and cents. It’s also about standing up for family, for life. We’re extremely proud of being able to pass the 24-hour abortion waiting period bill, which gives a mother time to seriously think about what she’s considering to do, and hopefully make the right decision and change her mind.

Finally, Senate Republicans are proud of our state, and proud of our self-governance without the overreaching hand of those in Washington. Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress have taken unprecedented steps to unconstitutionally meddle in state affairs. We pushed through the stalling tactics of Senate Democrats and passed a resolution that lets Obama and our Congressional leaders know that the 10th Amendment isn’t something that can be ignored.

The past session was a good one, but the work never ends. Our state will have budget trouble again next year, and there are a lot of other reforms that weren’t accomplished. We’re going to get back to work and keep fighting for conservative values in the Senate.

Sincerely,

Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler

Barack Obama and the Democrats in Washington seem intent in having the federal government overstep its bounds. The most egregious example, not too long ago, was when Congress foisted a big-government health care bill on the American people. Across the country, people are tired of it. And now comes an activist federal judge stepping into Arizona’s state affairs and gutting its anti-illegal immigration law.

Here in South Carolina, the Senate is committed to both fighting the overreaching from D.C. and standing up for the rule of law by passing our own illegal immigration bill. Just three years ago the SC General Assembly passed what newspapers called “the toughest immigration law in the nation.” Unfortunately that plan was founded on federal immigration programs that Nancy Pelosi and her liberal regime have consistently threatened. Like failing to secure our borders, the federal government has dropped the ball on promise after promise.

That’s why State Senator Larry Grooms filed an Arizona style immigration plan in the Senate last year and why, yesterday, Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell vowed to continue the push for an Arizona model in our state when the legislature returns in January.

On the day the court decision was handed down, McConnell said, “We see today’s decision as only the first step in an important legal struggle. This ruling will not deter me from continuing to work on this issue. I am committed to continuing full steam to have a bill ready for the Senate and for us to pass a stronger Arizona style immigration bill when we return in January.”

State Senator Larry Grooms weighed in on the subject as well: “The number one responsibility of government is to protect its citizens. Because the federal government has failed miserably, the states took action to protect our borders,” Grooms says. “With yesterday’s decision the feds have failed us twice.”

Many of the talking heads are saying that the ruling will place a chill on state efforts to properly enforce immigration policy. As of right now, there are 17 states pursuing legislation in the Arizona mold. One judge’s ruling in violation of states’ rights won’t deter state legislators from making the right move.

“We’re still early in the innings of a major legal contest,” Sen. Larry Martin said in The Washington Post this morning.

The judge’s decision isn’t the end for common sense immigration reform. It’s the beginning. Will you stand with the Senate in its fight against illegal immigration, even if it means taking on the federal government too?

Please click here now and give us your thoughts on how our state legislature should best deal with the illegal immigration problem plaguing our state.

- South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus
Majority Leader Harvey Peeler

When the South Carolina 118th General Assembly embarked upon its legislative year in January, it faced a daunting task: advancing the state and addressing some unavoidable issues, despite being overwhelmed with a rising statewide unemployment rate, an over $500 million dollar budget shortfall, highly publicized investigations into the travel of Gov. Mark Sanford, and an upcoming election season, including that for a new governor. One would expect that given this political environment, 2010 could have resulted in less-than-a-banner-year for the government and citizens of our state.

Despite those obstacles, the past six months at the Statehouse, from a pro-business perspective, actually have been quite productive. The answer may lie in the continuing dialogue and the stronger, ever-growing relationship between the Upstate business community and our elected leaders who represent us. From the perspective of the Upstate Chambers of Commerce, I believe we are building a better and stronger future for the Upstate, because of our commitment to building a better and stronger relationship between the primary stakeholders responsible for our area’s health and well-being.

Examples of this cooperative relationship from the 2010 legislative session include:

• The highly publicized, multi-partner, multi-tiered effort to land Southwest Airlines for the Upstate. After years of trying to capture the attention of a low-cost air carrier to provide better options and lower fares for businesses and citizens, Rep. Bill Wylie of Greenville introduced H4343 to provide incentives, in the form of competitive grants, for low-cost carriers considering location at any commercial airport in the state.

Armed with facts related to the “bleed” of passengers to other airports and detrimental effects of inadequate airfare options to the Upstate’s economic development pursuits, House Ways and Means Chair Dan Cooper and Rep. Brian White of Anderson joined hands with Speaker Bobby Harrell of Charleston to move the bill quickly through the House.

Though this legislation never reached a final verdict in the Senate, Upstate senators — led by Majority Leader Harvey Peeler of Cherokee and Chairman Mike Fair of Greenville, and backed by House leaders, local governments, the business and education community, and other allies — never gave up the fight. It was in this unprecedented display of teamwork and cooperation that Southwest officials recognized our commitment to the airline’s success in South Carolina and ultimately made its decision to locate in the state — without the legislation and incentive package.

• The preservation of the secret ballot in union elections. Spearheaded by Rep. Eric Bedingfield of Greenville and Sen. Peeler, the General Assembly passed a bill drafted in response to the business community’s concerns and as a further protection for South Carolina’s right-to-work status. Passed by the Legislature as a constitutional amendment, it will appear on the ballot for consideration by the general electorate in November elections.

• Legislation addressing unemployment and economic development issues. With the creation of the new Department of Employment and Workforce, legislators restructured the troubled and financially unstable Employment Security Commission. They also worked to make solvent the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund and helped pass a sweeping economic development bill to help agencies such as the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) and Upstate SC Alliance market the region and recruit new business for our community.

• Partnership between Upstate Legislative Caucus and Upstate Chamber Coalition. Though both in their infancy stages, the groups are working in tandem toward the creation of jobs and raising our overall per capita income. The Upstate Chamber Coalition, a consortium of 10 local Chambers of Commerce representing 8,000 member businesses and more than 200,000 employees, is serving to give the Upstate business community a unified voice in public policy and legislative issues that impact our region’s business climate.

By the same token, the Upstate Legislative Caucus, led by Greenville Rep. Dan Hamilton, is comprised of both House and Senate members whose districts lie in the Upstate and who represent around one-third of the total General Assembly. It, too, carries the unified message of the Upstate through legislators who are committed to playing a bigger role in crafting pro-business legislation. The symbiotic relationship of these two important groups will mean the difference in the betterment of the Upstate as the premier place to live, work, and play.

Indeed, the last six months at the Statehouse have been challenging ones, particularly for those lawmakers writing the state budget and for those agencies dependent on state funding. Unfortunately, next year’s budget forecasts do not bode well for 2011, signally one of the most challenging years yet.

However, in the can-do spirit of cooperation and communication, and absolute commitment to solving our problems together, the Upstate business community and our legislative delegation have locked arms and shown that tough economic times do not necessarily mean stagnation. By working together as one unified Upstate, we will demonstrate, as this year, that we can and will make South Carolina the best place in the world to do business.

By Mark Cothran • June 26, 2010
“Greenville Online”

General Assembly can still pass a law that would safeguard and expand process.

It is reasonable to ask voters to prove their identity before they are allowed to cast a ballot. It is also wise to give them more time and more locations for early voting, both for their convenience and to alleviate the massive crowds that plague the most important elections.

It is possible that South Carolinians will get both of those things this year, but time is running out and partisan gamesmanship is building up.

Some Democrats are fighting the idea, saying that requiring voters to show a state-issued ID is racist and ageist. They claim it would discourage minorities and old people from voting. That’s not true, and the U.S. Supreme Court made this clear when ruling on a similar Indiana law. The court declared that such requirements are reasonable because the state has a legitimate interest in making sure only registered voters cast ballots. It would be wrong, and it has been ruled unconstitutional, to charge people for these IDs necessary to vote, but it’s not wrong to require them.

The biggest farce last week was the spectacle of several Democratic House members taking the floor to assert that the voter ID measure is unnecessary because no one is alleging any instances of voter fraud in South Carolina even as the state Democratic Party has been consumed with allegations of voting fraud in the Alvin Greene/Vic Rawl senatorial primary.

Some Republicans are fighting the idea that voters should have an easy path to absentee and early voting, claiming early voting allows people to vote before they learn the information that is revealed in the last days of an election. In truth, the last days of an election generally feature fevered mudslinging rather than meaningful new information.

Chris Whitmire, public information officer with the S.C. Election Commission, said Friday that the commission supports enhanced absentee and early voting, adding: “The 2008 election showed us this was something voters very much wanted.”

The House passed a bill that created a voter ID requirement and allowed eight days of early voting, but the early voting would be allowed in only one location per county and absentee balloting would be more restricted than it is today.

The Senate passed a bill that allows more time and locations for early voting and continued easy access to absentee ballots.

When legislators return to Columbia on June 29, the House needs to pass the Senate version of the bill and make it law. It is a fair law that will make voting easier in many ways and enhance public confidence in the system.

If the House does not pass the Senate version, the legislation will die and must be reintroduced next year.

The General Assembly, beset by budget concerns and protective of its members’ re-election hopes, has achieved nearly nothing this year. This bill needs to pass now. There is no reason to put it off and no justification to vote it down.

“GoUpstate.com”
Published: Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 3:15 a.m.

Waiting Period Gives Day Long Reflecting Period Before Terminating Life

Columbia, SC – June 16, 2010 – With just hours left in the 2010 session, the South Carolina General Assembly passed a bill requiring women to wait 24-hours before having an abortion. Chaired by State Senator Kevin Bryant, a conference committee came to an agreement that will lower the number of abortions in South Carolina.

South Carolina is currently the only state in the country to have a one-hour waiting period for abortions – the shortest waiting period of all states with a waiting period. The new law would require a 24-hour waiting period upon printed materials about abortion being given to the patient. Information will also be placed on an interactive website created by DHEC.

The extended period would give women a full day of reflection before making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. The additional time to reflect on the risks of and alternatives to abortion will lower the number of abortions in South Carolina, help protect more unborn children and give mothers more time to consider the health risks.

Senators Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson), Jake Knotts (R-Lexington) and Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg) and Representatives Greg Delleney (R-Chester), Wendy Nanney (R- Greenville) and Ted Vick (D-Chesterfield) served on the conference committee. The bill was pushed through committee by Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee).

“South Carolina’s unborn children are safer because of the conference committee’s hard work. I’m proud that we were able to pass one of the most common sense bills of the session just in the nick of time,” Majority Leader Peeler said. “I want to particularly thank Senator Bryant for not giving up and forcing the conference committee to come up with a compromise. He personally saved this bill.”

In presenting the committee report to the Senate, Senator Bryant said, “Each child is a gift from God and a person should truly reflect on their decision before terminating its life. A lot of abortions are made during crisis situations and this new law will simply require mothers to stop and think for twenty-four hours before making such a life altering decision.”

DETAILS – H. 3245 – 24 Hour

Requires a woman to certify the she has received printed materials produced by DHEC 24 hours prior to an abortion.

Materials include:

- List of healthcare providers offering free ultrasounds
- Plainly worded explanation of how to determine gestational age of fetus
- Role of genetics in reproduction
- Forms for certifying you have seen the material

Materials may be printed from DHEC’s website – or requested to be mailed to the woman.

The Conference Report does not require a woman to receive an ultrasound 24 hours prior to an abortion. Current law requires an ultrasound one (1) hour prior to an abortion.

Cass Elias McCarter worked tirelessly for 20 years to establish South Carolina’s guardian ad litem program. Today this program is nationally recognized as one of the finest in the country. Last week, the General Assembly honored the memory of Mrs. McCarter by naming the program the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program.

Cass died in 2004 at the age of 50 from a brain aneurism. She did not live to see the program she helped establish gain its national recognition. However, thousands of children in South Carolina have benefitted from her efforts.

The legislation introduced by Sen. Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly. It was vetoed by the Governor. All but 2 members of the 170 individuals in the General Assembly voted to override the Governor’s decision. Cass McCarter was a native of Columbia. She was married to Nicky McCarter who is originally from Clover. The couple have 2 children, Lauren and Cole. They currently reside in Columbia with their father.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – June 10, 2010 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Cherokee County today announced that Parkdale Mills will locate its new facility in Cherokee County. The company is purchasing the former Wellstone building and is expected to invest $45 million and will retain up to 145 jobs at the plant.

“For our new operations, we were looking for a building that would suit our current needs and allow us room to grow. We found that flexibility in the former Wellstone building. Cherokee County not only offered us an excellent building but also has a positive business climate. We look forward to making our facility operational there in the coming months. We appreciate all the support we have received from state and local officials in making this plan a reality,” said Lee Thomas, vice president of services for Parkdale Mills Inc.

Parkdale Mills has established a new operating location in Cherokee County and will use the former Wellstone facility in Gaffney, bringing in new equipment and upgrades. As a result, the company will also retain 145 jobs from the previous plant that might otherwise have been lost. The company expects to have the facility online by the end of the year.

“Parkdale Mills has operated in South Carolina for decades, and this announcement reflects the company’s continued commitment to our state. The decision to set up operations in the former Wellstone building offers another great example of an adaptive reuse that will allow Parkdale Mills to get its operations up and running quickly and in turn mean new job opportunities for the community sooner. It is always great to see an existing business recognize the benefits of operating in South Carolina and choose to grow here. This announcement is also a reminder that our state’s business-friendly climate plays a critical role in attracting new investments and jobs, and perhaps most importantly in helping our existing businesses grow,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

“With global competition for jobs and investment being fierce, it is both pleasing and refreshing to see companies like Parkdale Mills selecting Cherokee County and the State of South Carolina,” said state Senator Harvey Peeler.

“Parkdale Mills has locations across the world and their decision to grow in Cherokee County is a testament to the favorable business climate of our county, the Upstate and the state of South Carolina,” said state Rep. Steve Moss.

“We appreciate the investment of Parkdale Mills as this is a great addition to the Cherokee County industrial base. The company’s presence also helps us diversify our business sector. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship between Cherokee County and Parkdale Mills,” said state Rep. Dennis Moss.

“The efforts of Cherokee County and the South Carolina Department of Commerce are to be commended for successfully demonstrating to a company like Parkdale Mills the advantages of operating their yarn manufacturing operations in South Carolina. Collaboration is the cornerstone of economic development and it was demonstrated on a state, regional and local level today,” said Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO Hal Johnson.

Beaufort County officials have denied a S.C. Freedom of Information Act request from The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette seeking ambulance response timesand other data about county EMS operations. The request was made May 14, just days after the General Assembly passed a law ostensibly making such information available to the public.

However, Beaufort County attorney Ladson Howell said that by his reading of the new law, the newspapers’ request could be fulfilled only by court order. He said in an e-mail Tuesday he has requested an opinion from state Attorney General Henry McMaster.

The state senator who sponsored the bill — signed May 11 by Gov. Mark Sanford and taking effect immediately — said by e-mail Tuesday an attorney general’s opinion shouldn’t be necessary. “Do I need to come to Beaufort and straighten this situation out?” wrote Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee. “If the county attorney can’t figure out the intent of our bill, have him call me and I’ll explain it to him. We expect all information except the EMS responders’ name and patient information to be given to the public.”

The request by the Packet and Gazette was similar to one made almost a year ago seeking ambulance-response times and other information about county EMS performance. The county also denied that request, and McMaster issued an opinion Aug. 19, 2009, that a 2004 law, also sponsored by Peeler, did not allow for the release of aggregated statistics, even if they don’t reveal patient information. But Peeler said the 2004 bill was submitted only to make state law correspond to federal medical privacy laws. It was never his intent to withhold statistical data from the public, he said, and he set about amending that law in January.

Peeler’s measure passed, although at the urging of the S.C. EMS Association, it included a provision making the names of EMTs available only to those who receive care or are representatives of the estate of deceased patients. Nurses and doctors are afforded similar protection, but police and firefighters are not. In their most recent request, the newspapers asked to review county EMS records “collected, compiled by or in the possession of the county or its agents” documenting response times of county EMS from Jan. 1, 2006, to the present.

The newspapers also asked to see any documentation, analysis, feasibility study or comparison examining county EMS response times in southern Beaufort County. The newspapers did not request the names of EMTs or personnel records. “I realize this position is contrary to published reports in your newspaper that would allow public access to EMS records,” Howell said in his e-mail. “However, my interpretation of the new statute does not meet those requirements.”

Attempts Tuesday to reach County Council Chairman Weston Newton and County Administrator Gary Kubic for comment by telephone and e-mail were unsuccessful. Suzanne Larson, a county spokeswoman, said Kubic was standing by Howell’s response. “Ladson (Howell) has already covered everything,” Larson said. “Mr. Kubic has nothing further to add right now.”

Jay Bender, an attorney for the S.C. Press Association, said Tuesday the county’s response to the newspapers’ requests was “another example of county officials trying to avoid providing public records.” “It seems to me that the only reason to request the Attorney General’s opinion is to cause a delay,” Bender said. “It’s very clear that the bill was intended to allow the public to find out information about emergency medical services with the exception of the identification of EMS personnel and medical information about the person being transported.” Bender said ambulance-response times are public data. “The notion that you would need a court order is made up,” he said. “This response it consistent with the way the county has acted in the past. Beaufort County needs to be driven by whip and lash to provide open and transparent government.”

Read more: http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/05/25/1251966/despite-new-state-law-beaufort.html#ixzz0p09xvxM2

“With over 5,300 children attending a South Carolina public virtual school and numerous others attending South Carolina public charter schools, it is easy to see just how important public school choice is for the families of South Carolina. We recognize that these choices are not guaranteed. In recognition of leadership and support of public school options for South Carolina families, the SC Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options (NCPSO) is pleased to present Senator Harvey Peeler with the Future of Education’s Golden Apple Award.”

Beth Purcell
Chair – SC Chapter
National Coalition for Public School Options