HENRY BROWN WINS FRC ACTION’S “TRUE BLUE” AWARD FOR CONSISTENT SUPPORT OF FAMILY
HENRY BROWN WINS FRC ACTION’S “TRUE BLUE” AWARD FOR CONSISTENT SUPPORT OF FAMILY
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (SC-01) has been recognized as a “True Blue” Member of Congress by FRC Action and Focus on the Family Action for his unwavering commitment to the family.
“I am grateful for the support of FRC Action and appreciate their recognition of my consistent support of pro-family issues,” Brown said. “I have made no secret of my position as a pro-life Member of Congress and I will continue to stand on these principles.”
The award honors Members of Congress who have exhibited extraordinary leadership and commitment to the defense of family, faith, and freedom, according to FRC Action’s new scorecard covering House and Senate votes during the 1st session of the 110th Congress. Recipients of the award voted consistently for pro-life and pro-family issues.
These votes included:
ü Defending Restrictions on Funding International Abortion Groups
ü Human Cloning Prohibition
ü Embryonic Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
ü Thought Crimes Act
ü Protect Abstinence Program for HIV/AIDs Prevention
ü Funding D.C. Needle Exchange Program
ü Funding D.C. Gay Marriage Amendment
ü Restrict Funding Planned Parenthood Amendment
ü Prohibit Implementing the “Fairness Doctrine”
ü Pseudo-Children’s Health Bill
“The Members of the 110th Congress who received this award have been consistent, stalwart allies of American families,” said FRC Action President Tony Perkins. “These Members are to be commended for supporting public policy that values human life, protects our religious liberties, and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family.”
“I applaud these Members for defending pro-family and pro-life policies that have been under attack this past year. Values voters should be encouraged by these Members who have shown a commitment to protecting and strengthening the family.”
To order a copy of the Vote Scorecard, visit FRC Action’s website at www.frcaction.org
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INGLIS WINS FRC ACTION’S “TRUE BLUE” AWARD FOR CONSISTENT SUPPORT OF FAMILY
INGLIS WINS FRC ACTION’S “TRUE BLUE” AWARD FOR CONSISTENT SUPPORT OF FAMILY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Inglis (SC-04) has been recognized as a “True Blue” Member of Congress by FRC Action and Focus on the Family Action for his unwavering commitment to the family.
The award honors Members of Congress who have exhibited extraordinary leadership and commitment to the defense of family, faith, and freedom, according to FRC Action’s new scorecard covering House and Senate votes during the 1st session of the 110th Congress. Recipients of the award voted consistently for pro-life and pro-family issues.
These votes included:
ü Defending Restrictions on Funding International Abortion Groups
ü Human Cloning Prohibition
ü Embryonic Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
ü Thought Crimes Act
ü Protect Abstinence Program for HIV/AIDs Prevention
ü Funding D.C. Needle Exchange Program
ü Funding D.C. Gay Marriage Amendment
ü Restrict Funding Planned Parenthood Amendment
ü Prohibit Implementing the “Fairness Doctrine”
ü Pseudo-Children’s Health Bill
“The Members of the 110th Congress who received this award have been consistent, stalwart allies of American families,” said FRC Action President Tony Perkins. “These Members are to be commended for supporting public policy that values human life, protects our religious liberties, and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family.”
“I applaud Congressman Inglis for defending pro-family and pro-life policies that have been under attack this past year. Values voters should be encouraged by these Members who have shown a commitment to protecting and strengthening the family.”
To order a copy of the Vote Scorecard, visit FRC Action’s website at www.frcaction.org
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House Passes Small Business Health Care Collaborative Bill
House Passes Small Business Health Care Collaborative Bill
Gives small businesses better access to affordable health care(Columbia, SC) - Today, in a move to help small businesses better
afford health care coverage for their employees, the House passed the
Small Business Health Care Collaborative bill. House Speaker Bobby
Harrell called the plan, “a market-based solution for extending access
to health care for our state’s uninsured workers.”
“An overwhelming majority of the businesses in our state are small
businesses,” said Speaker Harrell. “Giving small businesses the
market leverage to provide their employees access to health care at a
competitive price will raise the standard of living in our state and
will make South Carolina a more attractive place to do business.”
The bill allows small businesses to work together by pooling their
employees to form cooperatives that will allow them access to the more
cost-effective health care plans big businesses utilize.
Harry Cato, Chairman of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry
Committee said, “Many South Carolinians who are uninsured will have
the better access to affordable health care coverage under this plan. I
encourage employers in our state to take advantage of this system once
it is passed into law.”
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Proposed bill would ax PACT but improve state testing and help classroom teachers, Rex says
Proposed bill would ax PACT but improve state testing and help
classroom teachers, Rex saysCOLUMBIA - State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex expressed his
strong support for legislation introduced today that would replace PACT
while making dramatic changes to South Carolina’s overall student
assessment and school accountability systems.
“Everywhere I go,” Rex said, “I hear from parents who find our
accountability system confusing and from teachers who find PACT results
virtually useless as far as actually helping students advance.
Legislators hear the same thing, believe me. That’s why this bill has
come out of the gate with such strong bipartisan support.”
The legislation, sponsored by House Education Committee Chairman Bob
Walker (R-Spartanburg) and co-sponsored by more than 40 Republicans and
Democrats, would make the first significant changes to South
Carolina’s Education Accountability Act since it was approved by
the General Assembly 10 years ago. That law mandated annual PACT
testing for 380,000 students in grades 3-8 and the publishing of annual
school report cards.
“This bill will improve the EAA, not replace it,” Rex said. “It
will give classroom teachers more detailed information on how individual
kids are doing. It will get that information back to teachers faster.
It will reduce the amount of classroom time devoted to end-of-the-year
accountability tests. And it will do all of that while maintaining
South Carolina’s nationally recognized high standards for teaching and
learning.”
The bill is based on recommendations from two statewide task forces
appointed by Rex last summer - one for testing and one for
accountability. Those groups, which met numerous times over the late
summer and fall, included representatives from local districts and
schools, teacher and school administrator organizations, the South
Carolina School Boards Association, the General Assembly, the Education
Oversight Committee, the State Board of Education, business groups, and
colleges and universities.
The proposed legislation would:
● Replace PACT with new end-of-year accountability tests that
feature “essay” exams in March and more easily scored
multiple-choice exams in May. Schools would get final results within a
few weeks of the May tests, compared to late July with PACT.
● Require “formative” assessments in English language arts,
mathematics, science and social studies. These tests would provide
teachers with immediate feedback on individual students’ strengths and
weaknesses and allow them to customize instruction based on those
needs.
● Explore the feasibility of using current high school
end-of-course tests to replace the state’s current high school exit
exam.
● Revise the content of annual school report cards to make it more
understandable and useful for parents, while simultaneously making
certain that any revisions are in full compliance with the federal No
Child Left Behind Act.
● Give schools with low report card ratings more flexibility in
using their state technical assistance funds. The EAA allowed these
funds to be spent in very specific ways, but provisos inserted into
recent years’ budgets have given schools more options. The proposed
House bill would formally incorporate that flexibility into the
state’s accountability law.
Although the bill calls for the Education Department to begin
administering the new end-of-year accountability tests in two years
(spring 2010), Rex said his agency could be ready a year earlier (spring
2009). “If we agree that this is the right way to go,” he said,
“then let’s go ahead and go. The sooner we can give teachers
these new tools, the better.”
“It’s pretty simple,” Rex said. “We spend too much time,
energy and money testing students. And the tests we administer don’t
provide teachers with detailed information on how individual kids are
doing. This proposed legislation will get vital information to teachers
while they can still use it to help kids. It will turn our tests into
instructional tools instead of just ‘mileage markers’ at the end of
the road.”
South Carolina’s upcoming discussions about its new testing system
will occur against the backdrop of a broader national discussion about
“growth models” designed to measure student development. Rex
said the proposed bill incorporates new terminology that figures
prominently in that national discussion.
Rex thanked the 150 members of the two task forces whose work
ultimately formed the nuts and bolts of the proposed legislation.
“The time and dedication that went into developing this proposal
was extraordinary,” he said. “South Carolina owes them a lot.”
Rex also commended the House members for their immediate action in
moving the proposals forward.
South Carolina is a recognized national leader in public school
accountability. Research studies have demonstrated that the state’s
standards for academic proficiency are among the nation’s most
rigorous. In addition, Education Week’s national report card
“Quality Counts 2008″ ranked the state No. 5 for its education
standards, assessment and accountability. And South Carolina was the
first state in the nation to receive federal approval under No Child
Left Behind for its assessment system.
Congressman Barrett on State of the Union 2008
Spartanburg GOP will hold its next Executive Committee Meeting on Super Tuesday
PRESS RELEASESPARTANBURG- The Spartanburg County GOP will hold its next Executive Committee Meeting on Super Tuesday at 7PM. Summit Pointe Event Center (near Westgate Mall).
Lt.Gov. Andre Bauer will be the special guest speaker.
Any candidates wishing to speak need to contact GOP HQ by Friday 02.01.08 at:
864-542-1992 or 864-590-7723
Various candidates are sponsoring a “Food Spread” for the event!
The public is welcome and the event is FREE!
8PM The big screen will be turned on to catch the results for both the GOP and DEMS.
Come and see if this big night will produce the nominees!
For more information, please call:
Rick Beltram (864-590-7723)
Wilson and Clyburn response to the State of the Union Address
Wilson Reacts to State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement this evening in response to President Bush’s State of the Union Address.
“Tonight, President Bush outlined a strong agenda for the upcoming year. He made clear that our nation faces many challenges, and that we must address these difficulties in a bipartisan manner.
“As our troops continue to serve bravely overseas, Congress must not legislate a defeat in Iraq or Afghanistan and ignore the progress we have seen. The remarkable success on the ground in Iraq should be a clear sign that short-term political motives, like a precipitous withdrawal, is not only foolish but has very real, dangerous, and long-term consequences. The sacrifices our brave men and women in uniform have made and continue to make to protect American families is the primary concern of this President and should be the number one concern of this Congress.
“On the domestic front, American families are facing rising prices at the pump and limited access to affordable health care. The President made it clear that he supports solutions that can garner bipartisan support and are grounded in a dedication to free market principles. That means less not more government interference.
“Between wasteful pork spending and the runaway costs of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, future generations face a bill they will not be able to pay. It is incumbent upon Congress to make the tough decisions now and not kick these problems further down the road. I was pleased that President Bush reiterated his support for the type of sound, principled earmark reforms Republicans in Congress continue to champion.
“Americans deserve honest and open leadership. I am proud to stand with President Bush in voicing my support for accountability in Washington and with optimism for the great potential our nation has to meet the challenges of our time.”
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CLYBURN RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today released the following statement in response to President Bush’s State of the Union address.
“The determination and will of the American people is strong and resolute, however the bleak state of our economy and the over-burdensome strains being placed on our military personnel and their families are disheartening.
“With unemployment numbers rising, our housing markets plummeting and the stock market sagging, now is the time for the President to work with the New Direction Congress in a more cooperative manner to remedy the fiscal ills plaguing America.
“I’m pleased with the first steps we’ve made this year to reach agreement with the President on an economic stimulus package. If passed by the Congress and signed into law, this bipartisan stimulus package will provide critical relief to many Americans struggling to make ends meet.
“Unfortunately, the President has been reluctant to work hand in hand with Democrats on other important issues affecting our nation such as national security. It is imperative that President Bush undo the indefinite mandate he has unfairly thrust upon our brave troops fighting to defend our freedoms abroad. His policies have led to an alarming weakness in troop readiness among our Armed Forces. With American fatalities in Iraq reaching record highs last year, it is time for the President to work with Democrats in redeploying our troops to focus on fighting terrorism and protecting our country.
“In order for our stagnant economy to once again become robust, our brave soldiers to once again be reunited with their loved ones, and our country to move in a New Direction, the President needs to abandon his partisan ways and join with Democrats in bringing change to this country.”
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FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BILL FRIST TO SPEAK AT FURMAN UNIVERSITY FEB. 7
FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BILL FRIST TO SPEAK AT FURMAN UNIVERSITY FEB. 7FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GREENVILLE, S.C.-Former U.S. Senate majority leader Bill Frist will speak
on “Healthcare in America” Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. in the Younts
Conference Center on the Furman University campus.
Frist’s presentation, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored
by Furman’s College Republicans. He will speak about the importance of
finding a free market solution to the pending healthcare crisis in America.
Frist, a native of Tennessee, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994,
becoming the first practicing physician elected to the Senate since 1928.
He was reelected in 2000, and served as chairman of the National
Republican Senatorial Committee (2001-2003) and Senate majority leader
(2003-2007). He was not a candidate for reelection after his second term
ended in 2006.
Frist attended public and private schools in Nashville, and earned a
degree from Princeton University in 1974. He graduated from Harvard
Medical School in 1978. Before being elected to the Senate, he served as
director of the heart and lung transplantation program at Vanderbilt
University Medical Center.
For more information, contact Taylor Hall of Furman’s College Republicans
at taylor.hall@furman.edu or 865.803.6666.
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DeMint Says Stimulus Plan Should Make Tax Relief Permanent
DeMint Says Stimulus Plan Should Make Tax Relief Permanent
Says Certainty in the Tax Code Is Needed for Both Short- and Long-Term Growth
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) announced that he will seek to expand the proposed stimulus plan to make the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent.
“The most important economic priority for our country is to make certain that taxes do not go up,” said Senator DeMint. “Everyone is in a hurry to pass something quickly but we need to make sure that it actually works. Congress was wrong to make the tax relief temporary and now it’s about to make that mistake again. For that reason, I will work to improve the proposed stimulus plan by making America’s tax relief permanent.
“We’re not going to grow our economy with temporary cash handouts. American families and businesses need permanent tax relief and they need to know they won’t face the largest tax increase in history in a few years. We must bring certainty to our economic future now, and make the tax cuts permanent.”
The tax relief that was enacted in 2001 and 2003 is set to expire in less than three years. If Congress allows that to happen, we will see an end to many of the measures that have helped our economy grow – including the 10 percent individual income tax bracket, repeal of the Federal death tax, reductions in the marriage penalty, the expansion of the child tax credit, and reduced rates on regular income, capital gains, and dividends. This would mean that:
• Twenty-six million small business owners would see their taxes increase by nearly 17 percent – or about $4,000 on average.
• A single mom with two children and $30,000 in earnings would see her taxes go up by 67 percent.
• An elderly couple with $40,000 in income would see their taxes go up by about 155 percent.
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First Lady Announces Finals in January Healthy SC School Video Contest
First Lady Announces Finals in January Healthy SC School Video Contest;
Contest to extend into month of February due to popular demand!
Columbia, SC- January 28, 2008 First Lady Jenny Sanford announced that today is the final day to judge the top twenty videos in the Quarter-Finals of the Healthy SC School Video Contest. South Carolina fans judging on OurStage will determine which ten videos will lock-in on January 29th to compete in the Semi-Finals.
At the end of the Semi-Finals, the video in the #1 spot in the Healthy SC Channel is the winner of January’s Healthy SC School Video Contest and will receive $3,500. The video in the #2 spot will receive the runner up prize of $1,500. The #1 Healthy SC video will go onto compete in the OurStage Finals where it will battle it out against the number one videos in each of the channels for an OurStage prize of $5,000.
Mrs. Sanford also announced today that the contest will be extended through the month of February due to popular demand! Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated are the gold sponsors of this contest. Other sponsors include Palmetto Project and Subway.
Important dates for February contest
* Video submission accepted from February 1st through February 20th
* Quarter-Finals begin February 23rd
* Semi-Finals begin February 27th (The winner of the Semi-Finals is the February Healthy SC School Video Contest winner)
* OurStage Finals round begins February 29th
Prizes in February contest
* #1 video receives $3,500 cash (or savings bond)
* #2 video receives $1,500 cash (or savings bond)
* School of #1 video receives $1,000 worth of athletic equipment of its choice
* Class of #1 video receives Subway lunch
OurStage, the only purely democratic online competition where the fans decide who’s the best in emerging music, film and video, is hosting the contest on a special channel created solely for the Healthy SC School Video Contest. OurStage’s unique judging engine ensures that each piece is judged fairly by the viewers-no rigging and no cheating.
To view the videos and judge in the finals rounds visit www.ourstage.com/go/healthyscjudge.
You can also link to this contest page at www.healthysc.gov where you can access all the contest rules and where you can fill out an application to enter the February contest.
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