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A Strong Economic Climate in S.C. is Our Top Priority
REPUBLICAN STATEHOUSE REPORT No. 4
February 12, 2009
The House Republicans listed "Growing South Carolina's Economy" as our top priority for this legislative year. Yes, we know that is a broad topic, but it is necessarily broad because there are so many different actions we can take. This week's actions were a case in point.
Democrats fought us tooth-and-nail to stop a resolution asking our Congressmen to oppose the "Employee Free Choice Act" which should be better known as the "Union Coercion Act." This law, under consideration by Congress, would eliminate an employee's right to a secret ballot in union-organizing votes.
Mauldin Republican Eric Bedingfield wrote the resolution, and a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing a secret ballot. The resolution passed the House on Thursday. The constitutional amendment was approved by a Judiciary Subcommittee also on Thursday,
While defending the bill on the House floor, Rep. Bedingfield said since June 2000, there have been 62 union votes in South Carolina. The unions won 55 percent of them. Most of the unions in South Carolina represent government or quasi-government employees, according to statistics.
I believe that the secret ballot is a fundamental right of all Americans in any vote. In this case, it protects an employee's right to vote his conscience - rather than being intimidated by union bosses or company representatives. It tells businesses that we respect fundamental rights and that we are business-friendly.
The Speaker of the House filed legislation enhancing our tort reform laws. "Tort Reform" - more simply known as Lawsuit Abuse Reform - was a hot-button issue for conservatives several years ago, and we ushered sweeping reforms through the House several times earlier this decade. Now, as with most new laws, we have found that further changes are needed.
The question is: How will this legislation create jobs? As with the constitutional amendment, it will not directly create jobs, but it does send an important signal to the business community.
This legislation tells any company looking to locate in South Carolina that we want their business and that we are serious in protecting them from frivolous legal action. But as with our previous tort reform efforts, we still protect our citizens' right to sue if they are wronged.
As always, thank you for the privilege of serving you in Columbia. If I can ever be of assistance to you, or if you have ideas on issues you want me to share with the rest of the General Assembly, please don't hesitate to contact me at (803) 734-3144.
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