Harvey Peeler

Republicans Working To Guarantee Right To Secret Ballot Elections

South Carolina’s Republican Senators are pushing a bill on the State Senate floor that guarantees a worker’s right to a secret ballot election in the workplace, but liberal Democrats are continuing to block that right. H.3305, introduced by Rep. Eric Bedingfield, is a constitutional amendment that would guarantee a worker’s right to voting by secret ballot during union organization.

The legislation is a reaction to the deceptively named federal “Employee Free Choice Act,” which would strip workers of their right to vote for unionization by secret ballot, opening them up to intimidation and harassment by unions. The legislation is being pushed on the federal level by union bosses and their liberal allies in Congress.
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Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler released the following statement today after the Senate passed a bill opening up EMS records to FOIA requests. Specifically, the change allows the release of the types of EMS services and type of emergency.

“In 2004, DHEC officials contacted my office and told us that we had to make changes to EMS laws to keep patient records private in accordance with the federal HIPPA law. Unfortunately that law had unintended consequences and closed EMS records to FOIA requests. I promised to resolve this issue quickly and in recent weeks I pushed the change through subcommittee, committee, and now the State Senate. I urge the State House to pass this bill as soon as possible.”

Democrats Let Federal Government Intrude On Our Rights

Today the South Carolina Senate Democrats continued their filibuster of a bill strongly declaring our state’s rights and requesting the Attorney General to fight an attempt to socialize our health care system. Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler released the following statement today on behalf of the State Senate Republican Caucus:

“Our great nation was founded by men of principle who stood strong against an overreaching government. It’s unfortunate that a nation founded on such principles now intrudes on the people and their states from which its power is granted.  Washington politicians are claiming power never granted to them by the states.

They say we have a choice while giving us none. They say we must take the bailout or our tax dollars will be sent to California. They say we must accept higher energy costs with cap and trade tax hikes or risk the future of our planet. Now they say government must takeover America’s health care system or our families must accept skyrocketing medical costs.

Like our founding fathers, we too will stand strong against an overreaching government because we do have a choice and with this resolution, we ask the Attorney General of South Carolina to fight any attempt to force a socialized health care plan on our state and its taxpayers.  We will stand today, not just against the Democrats, but against a government that intrudes on our rights and our freedoms. We demand action today because by remaining silent, we signal our surrender.

The Democrats say our resolution is pointless. They say it has no effect of law. We don’t need a new law to stand up for our rights and to send a signal to Washington that we will not, under any circumstances, accept a takeover of our nation’s health care system. And we will take all legal actions necessary to ensure that our rights are protected.

Today, we ask every citizen of South Carolina to stand up against massive government growth, excessive spending, and the intrusion of the federal government on our freedoms. We ask that you call your State Senator and demand that they protect your constitutional rights.”

Over the past few months I’ve talked a lot about the financial crisis hitting our state. Now for some good news: while we will still feel the effects for a little while longer and unemployment rates and our state budget will get worse, I believe we are starting to turn the corner. Now there’s nowhere to go but up, and when it comes to South Carolinians, the sky is the limit. In the turnaround, we’ve already seen developments that give reason to be optimistic about the future in our state.

I’m particularly proud of leaders in the General Assembly and the private sector teaming up to bring Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner facility to South Carolina. We’ve worked hard to develop an atmosphere to make sure that our state is business friendly, keeping taxes low and regulation to a minimum. Over the next seven years, it’s expected that Boeing will bring $750 million in investment and altogether will create around 12,000 jobs. This isn’t just about one facility or one company. Companies already established here will benefit from the new business generated by the massive operation.
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I’m excited. The Boeing announcement is one of the best events I’ve seen happen during my nearly 30 years in the S.C. Senate. It proves how far we can take South Carolina when strong leaders work together to push conservative reforms. The nation’s hardest-working taxpayers, efficient government, low taxes and a high quality of life have given us a study advantage in our goal to rebuild South Carolina’s economy and create new jobs for our working families across the entire state. But that’s not all.

According to news reports, a big reason Boeing agreed to expand its operations in South Carolina is that the company wasn’t comfortable with the demands a union at its Washington plant was making.

Boeing’s decision to expand its facility near Charleston says a lot about the business climate in South Carolina and serves as a reminder why we must protect our tough right-to-work laws. We are sending a strong message to the world: We want your business, and we’re committed to getting it. I want to continue sending that message by defending workers’ rights to secret ballots when deciding whether to unionize. [...]

Just when you thought South Carolina politics couldn’t get any weirder, it does. The big news over the past week was that my long-time Senate colleague turned Congressman, Joe Wilson yelled out and called President Obama a liar during his congressional speech on health care.

While I believe Joe’s timing was off, I know that Joe’s actions symbolized what many of us feel. I for one am very concerned. I’m concerned about President Obama’s massive spending sprees. I’m tired of South Carolina taxpayers having to bailout greedy Wall Street CEOs. I’m sick of Washington politicians thinking that more debt will create jobs or that government run health care is the answer.

It just doesn’t make sense.

Most off all, I’m concerned at just how out-of-touch many politicians have become with America’s working families. And it isn’t just a Washington problem folks. It’s a South Carolina problem too.

All of this has really solidified my resolve to represent your views at the State House. During my nearly 30 years representing you in Columbia, I’ve learned two very important lessons:

1. Politicians think they have all the answers.

2. They don’t!

That’s why I’ve launched a new website at www.harveypeeler.com this week. When I first ran for office, we talked to people by going door-to-door and over the phone. It still amazes me how much has changed and how we can communicate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, instantaneously. I’ve launched this site to keep you informed of what’s happening in Columbia on the most important issues facing our region’s families.

But that’s not all. I don’t want this website to be about me talking to you. I need you to talk back to me. I need to know what’s on your mind. Tell me about the problems you are facing and please don’t forget the positive things too. Through all the negativity in politics and on the news, it’s good to hear about what’s going right in your life.

Over the next few weeks you will find my 2009 Constituent Survey on the homepage. It’s very important that you take the time to tell me your thoughts on these urgent issues.

Should the General Assembly pass a constitutional amendment limiting the growth of government and the amount of money legislators can spend each year?

Do you support my plan to give tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed South Carolina workers?

Should we raise the cigarette tax?

Should we invest more state resources into our Technical College system to make our state more attractive to new companies looking to relocate to South Carolina?

Should we widen I-85 to attract new business to our area?

These are just a few of the big issues that will be coming up soon in the General Assembly. I’ve also provided plenty of space for you to give me your opinion on other issues. You can give me your opinion on Governor Sanford, the President’s liberal health care plan, or local issues like roads and crime.

I believe conservative principles can solve our problems. That’s the approach I take to Columbia, but that doesn’t mean I have all the answers. No one does. That’s why we have to work together and share what’s on our minds.

Please visit www.harveypeeler.com today.

We hope you are having a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.

Just in case you’ve taken a break from the grill to surf the web, we’ve posted this snippet from Senator Peeler’s interview with the South Carolina Radio Network on state restructuring.

Sen Peeler on subcommittee

South Carolina Senate Majority Leader and Medical Affairs Committee Chairman Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) today announced his plan to move three big restructuring bills aimed at improving the efficiency of state government. Senator Peeler has appointed Senate Majority Whip Danny Verdin (R-Laurens) to chair a subcommittee examining restructuring of five health agencies. [...]

Good things happen to me on August 8^th.  August 8, 1969 – Donna and I were married.  Today is our 40^th wedding anniversary.  August 8, 1970, 39 years ago today, I graduated from Clemson University.  Today, August 8, 2009 – I am receiving this most prestigious degree.  I am honored and humbled beyond words.

Members of the Board of Trustees, President Barker, Distinguished Faculty, Graduates, Guests,  – and Donna and our children, Brantlee, Smith and Boone –  Thank you.  Thank you for the honor and thank you for allowing me a very few minutes to speak with the new graduates.

Clemson University will always have my support as long as I am in the State Senate because Clemson University is one of South Carolina’s greatest assets.  It produces and molds unmatched economic potential — YOU!

We are counting on you to use what you have learned here — and be the solution to our State’s and our Nation’s problems.

Let me give you a couple of reasons we are counting on you.

First — the automobile industry.  The automotive industry of Michigan is dying because of new innovations from other countries.  In the 1970’s, we suffered because we did not change.  We did not adapt.  It was the same as it always had been.  Bigger cars and bigger gas tanks.  Foreign automakers beat us to the punch then and they have been out front lately.  But now we are working to reverse that trend right here at Clemson University with ICAR.

To be able to affect economic change, we all need to bring something to the table.  With Clemson University, the State of South Carolina and private industry working together –  we now have a genuine economic engine that is bringing jobs to the upstate.  It is also building for the future.

I do not have to tell you that engineering is not the easiest major.  But the ICAR program is so popular that the number of students who want to be a part of the cutting edge far outweigh the space available.  You see – these students — and others like them across the country — are eager to learn.  It is that new knowledge – the products of their imagination – and their hard work which will put American back on top.

Now for a personal reason we are counting on you.

H. Smith Peeler feared no man and very few animals.  A member of our Greatest Generation, he was a military policeman – an MP.  I think Mama and the military shaped his personality as much as anything.

If you asked him, he would give you the shirt off of his back — but if he caught you trying to steal gas out of one of his milk trucks, he would shoot you!

Smith Peeler owned and operated a small dairy in Gaffney.  The dairy was responsible for milk – from the cow to the consumer.  He enjoyed competing with the “big boys” and winning.

He liked everyone he met, but he was partial to the ones who could work with their head and their hands — at the same time.

He could fix anything.  I think if he had enough baling wire he could mend a broken heart.

He was admired for his sense of humor and his sense of fair play.

His advice was sought by Presidents and paper boys.

He could preach you a sermon just by looking at you.

Smith and Sally Peeler raised four Clemson graduates.  I am the oldest.  Twins, Bill and Bob.  Twins?  God figured it would take two to compete with me!  And a daughter, Susan.

Bob –  former two-term South Carolina Lieutenant Governor and current Clemson Board Member.

Bill  –  former Chairman of the Board of Deacons at the Gaffney First Baptist Church and a current member of the Board River Electric Co-Op Board of Directors.  By the way, — to our daddy, Lieutenant Governor and Senator paled in comparison to being elected to the Electric Co-Op Board.

Susan –  two high callings in South Carolina are Mother and Classroom Teacher.  My sister is both.

As my friend and confidant, Nicky McCarter would say –  Smith Peeler was an over-achiever.  Some of you are thinking, “this man had it ‘going on’”.  And you would be right.  But there is one thing he did not have.  Smith Peeler did not have what you are about to receive –  a college degree.

Even so, he recognized and understood that if his children and his grandchildren were going to compete in a growing global marketplace — they needed to be better prepared.  And for him — furthering his children’s and his grandchildren’s education became a top priority.

You have earned this degree — with all of its rights and privileges.  By accepting this diploma, you are also accepting a responsibility.  You are responsible for making this a value-added product.  You are responsible for keeping this piece of paper so valuable that some great men die wishing that they had it in their possession.

So I ask you, my fellow Tigers — will you increase its value?