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Bluffton Campaign HQ Grand Opening
The Republican Campaign Headquarters in Bluffton is located on Dr. Mellincamp Drive, Bluffton Towne Center, Unit 104, off Hwy. 46 near the Promenade (next door to Downtown Deli).
Hilton Head HQ Grand Opening
The Hilton Head Headquarters is located at Port Royal Plaza B1, between SAM's and Buckley's Island Travel
Beaufort HQ Grand Opening
The Beaufort Headquarters is located 1011 Bay Street, 3rd floor Wachovia Building
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Turning the page and concentrating on the important issues |
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Written by Beaufort County Republican Party
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Friday, 29 January 2010 11:53 |
The General Assembly returned to Columbia on January 12, 2009 and my fellow House members and I had a very busy couple of weeks as we worked to turn the page on 2009 and re-focus on improving the economy in 2010.
On Thursday, January 14, 2009, I stood with my fellow House members in the State House lobby to unveil our conservative agenda - an agenda focused on creating jobs and giving business the tools it needs to help improve the economy. We are all anxious to start 2010 focused on improving our economy and tackling the other issues that you, my constituents, are telling me are important. Every decision on every bill considered will be evaluated in how it improves the economy and limits spending. I pledge to use that filter on any bill that comes through our committees or on to the House floor.
As for our focus items, the four agenda categories are:
Growing our Economy: The biggest issue facing our state for the foreseeable future will require lowering unemployment and increasing per capita income. These issues most directly affect the everyday lives of South Carolina families. With an Economic Development Competitiveness plan, we will take steps to make our state more competitive in today's global economy. You can also expect reform of the Employment Security Commission, and much needed next steps Tort Reform. I believe that government is in place to help, not hurt businesses and encourage you to share with me any way we can get government out of your business & make your operations easier!
Improving Education: Our state's business community needs a highly educated workforce, and the Commerce Department needs a better education system to attract more businesses to our state. Improving our education system - from kindergarten through college - is critical to Improving our economy. Our focus will be to continue expanded funding flexibility for schools, make it easier for charter schools to thrive, and maintain our successful college scholarship programs. I am well on my way to visiting every school in my district and implore you, teachers and parents, to continue to share with me ways that we can help you do what you love to do: teach our children!
Responsible and Limited Government: When it comes to helping businesses plan for the future, there are few items more important that creating a responsible and limited government. Today, businesses fear governmental encroachment and are hesitant to grow and expand because they are unsure about what direction the federal government is headed. Our goal is that this worry will not exist in our state. We will fight to enact state spending limits, establish a clear chain of command in the executive branch, expand online campaign finance disclosure, and promote government reform and efficiency through a series of bills. RED TAPE on your businesses must be eliminated and I have been appointed to a Small Business Task Force to do just that! Let me know if there are ways that the SC government/agency system causes problems in your business.
Protecting State's Rights: The federal government is undertaking an unprecedented power grab and much of that power is coming at the expense of state governments and personal freedoms. I pledge to do everything in my power to limit federal intrusion into areas where power is reserved for the states. The SC House will support the sovereignty of states, free-market healthcare, and limiting the federal government's intrusion into powers not expressly given to it by the United States Constitution. In fact, last year's House resolution (one of our "unfinished business" pieces, see below) expressing our displeasure with the federal power-grab was joined by a similar one approved by the Senate. That makes SC the fourth state to ratify the Bill of Rights!
Also during the press conference, we released a list of "unfinished business" from 2009 - items on last year's agenda that have not seen any action in the Senate. Several of those items are important reforms that protect personal freedom and limit the power of government. You may have seen this list last year in one of my email notes or speaking engagement handouts. I am honored that other House members read & appreciated my suggestion that we keep our eyes focused on items that too often languish in the Senate after we have taken hard-fought action.
This past Wednesday, we heard Governor Sanford's final State of the State address. As I sat in the House chamber and listened to his message, I felt that his tone signaled a good session ahead. The House has supported many items on the Governor's agenda for each of his 8 years in office, and several of the items he highlighted in his speech - such as giving you, the voter, the choice about whether you would like joint election of the governor and lieutenant governor - have already been approved by the House and are currently being considered by the Senate (again, unfinished business).
Finally, a couple of things from my own blotter. I have authored a bill (H.4198) protecting victims of criminal domestic violence from discrimination when issuing, renewing, cancelling, denying, etc. policies for life, health, property, etc. insurance. Also, I am continuing to push for my bill H.3576 which requires that any fee, fine, or charge from a state agency be voted on by the General Assembly (these hidden taxes currently slide through in regulations without votes from our body.) I also thank you all for your open, honest & constant communication with me over issues that are important to you. Hot topics according to you all right now are: Point of Sale, Sembler Shopping Mall, business license fees, and education funding. Please let me know if you have thoughts on these (or other) issues.
This will be an exciting and eventful year in Columbia. Thank you for the privilege of serving you. I am honored to be your Beaufort voice in Columbia! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any issues with state government. You can reach me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 843-263-1867.
God bless America!
Here if you need me,
Shannon
Representative Shannon S. Erickson
SC House District 124 - Beaufort
129 S. Hermitage Road
Beaufort, SC 29902
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