Greg Duckworth | A Balanced Budget
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11 Apr A Balanced Budget

A Balanced BudgetFor the past two weeks, the House has been on a period of furlough saving taxpayers over $200,000 in the process.

Upon our return tomorrow, we will take up and debate the Senate amendments to our Roads and Infrastructure legislation. Many of you have shared your thoughts with me on the state of our roads and bridges, and I appreciate your feedback as it guides my vote.

Prior to our departure from Columbia two weeks ago, the House debated the state budget and passed the General Appropriations Bill for FY 2016/2017 along with the Capitol Reserve Fund Appropriations Bill. My Republican colleagues and I voted on a final budget that fully funds the necessities of our state while balancing the bottom line without debt.

As a result of budget votes prior to furlough, the South Carolina House has put an unprecedented $415-million in new funding toward repairing South Carolina roads, on the state and local level. Majority Leader Bannister released the following statement praising the Republican leadership and members on their dedication to improving SC roads:

“While some state elected officials doubted the House’s commitment to vastly increase funding for South Carolina roads, I didn’t. I know how dedicated our caucus is to improving South Carolina roads and never doubted that they would surpass all expectations when the time came to act.”

Bannister concluded, “Our commitment was more than talking about roads again this session. It was more than passing bills that called for funding. As a Republican majority, we did something unusual by Columbia standards–we actually funded roads beyond other proposals while respecting hard working taxpayers in the process.”

I agree, because much like a family budget, we prioritized needs over wants while finding a proper balance for long-term investments in the future of our state. Every dollar was scrutinized, and every penny accounted for. This conservative approach on budgetary decisions is one reason South Carolina enjoys a AAA credit rating. The budget now heads to the Senate.

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.