Campaign News
(COLUMBIA) In a debate today sponsored by the SC Hospital Association and featuring Democratic and Republican candidates for Governor, Andre Bauer charged that Jim Rex is “a dreamer” to think that Columbia would take action to raise the cigarette tax to the national average because, according to him, that’s now how things work in Columbia. McMaster also reiterated his opposition to the proposal that would create jobs, improve health care, and keep 48,000 classroom teachers from losing a week of pay.
In response, Rex issued the following statement:
“It’s naïve for Republicans like Andre Bauer and Henry McMaster, who have been running things in Columbia for years – and running our state into the ground in the process – to think that the voters will accept the special-interest-driven, do-nothing status quo in November. That kind of thinking is exactly why we need change in our leadership. I have put forward a plan to create thousands, if not tens of thousands, of good jobs in the health care sector and help families meet soaring medical bills. In response, the only things coming from career politicians in Columbia are excuses and a stubborn unwillingness to find solutions or take any action that will inconvenience their special interest friends. My proposal is a doable plan of action already taken by most states in the country – and I have yet to see any plan put forth by Mr. McMaster or Mr. Bauer that would accomplish a fraction of what my plan does. South Carolinians are hurting and they expect action from Columbia – not patronizing explanations of why they can’t do the people’s business.”
Tags: cigarette tax
Jim Rex is shoving economic responsibility off on SC smokers. I could care less about big tabacco money. I ha having trouble fathoming the idea Rex wants to alienate SC smokers. I supported Rex at first and am now reconsidering since he intends this onesided course of action to penalize SC smokers.
Henry McMaster is starting to look good.
Smokers in SC cost the state more than $7 per pack of cigarettes bought in health care costs associated with treating their illnesses. Yet, we only tax them at 7 cents per pack. We’re just asking them bear a greater portion of the responsibility for what they’re costing the state.
Zeke Stokes
Campaign Director