Hello South Carolina, I’m listening
July 15, 2008
I was never really a fan of Dr. Frasier Crane but his “Hello Seattle, I’m listening” did kinda grow on me. I prefered Norm Peterson on Cheers and now that I have kids, the voice of Cliff Clavin has grown on me too (if you have young children, you’ll understand what I’m talking about).
Anyway, we just wrapped up the end of a two-year session weeks ago and I’m already doing research for possible legislation next year.
By the way, the best “research” is listenting to your constituents.
I’ve been hearing from many of you about changes we can make in our state and I appreciate the opinions, ideas, and willingness you have to share with me.
Here’s an early list of topics I’m researching. What are your thoughts on these?
You play the role of State Representative. What legislation would you propose if you could?
EDUCATION
Lottery Funding K-12: Why doesn’t more go to K-12? Simple. The law specifies where the money goes. I want to look at this and see what can be done. Obviously, with all the higher-education scholarship money we set aside, you don’t want to adversely impact that.
Graduation rates/Drop Out rates/SAT scores: Any way you look at it, we rank at (or very near) the bottom. What can be done? More money? (We spend alot as it is). How about incentives to graduate? What about incentives to get tutoring?
Note: Next Tuesday, the Education Finance Act Study Committee will meet to continue talks about how to best fund state education. I’m sure legislation will come from this committee for next session.
MORE SUNSHINE IN STATE GOVERNMENT
Candidate/Official Filings: In April the House and Senate joined our Constitutional Officers by filing our campaign disclosure forms electronically. Why aren’t all local officials required? Why is it optional for some? What about filing dates? Why the “dead period” weeks before elections and runoffs?
Qualifications for office: What education/experience is needed to hold certain positions? What’s the minimum requirements needed to be a Sherrif? What about a Coroner? What about an Auditor? Treasurer?
Comments
9 Responses to “Hello South Carolina, I’m listening”
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Nate,
Thanks for all you do, for your constituents and for the greater family of South Carolinian’s. We are fortunate that we have many fine folks like yourself willing to serve and sacrifice in a somewhat very unthankful business at times…
School’s Out Mr. Ballentine!
7/17/08/WISTV.COM: SLED, Ed. Dept. to blow up bus at Fort Jackson
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8691178
But did ANYBODY learn ANYTHING?!?
Dear Rep. Ballentine,
There is one act that could be passed in the coming session that would do wonders to boost the state economy thereby boosting employment and wages with the resultant long term benefits of increasing the citizen’s educational achievement and ultimately their health. By replacing the existing SC Income Taxes on corporations and individual incomes, and the convoluted hodge-podge of sales tax laws with a Fair, Simple and Transparent state version of the FairTax, South Carolina would lead the nation in creating a haven for manufacturing, and entrepreneurial individuals striving to do the best for themselves and their families. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the FairTax concept at length.
Thanks for your consideration of this proposed legislation.
One thing I would love to see is a ban on smoking. It is terrible to have to navigate through a smoking section in a restaurant. Having a family, this is an important issue to me. Many restuarants in our area have started. Even Waffle House and Cracker Barrel have banned it.
How great it is to travel to Tennessee and Florida because of that!!!
It is great to not to have to worry about smoking and non-smoking in a restuarant…which, when you think about it, is like going to a pool and seeing a rope separating a “peeing and non-peeing section”. Doesn’t really do much good, does it.
I stumbled upon your website and thought it was very interesting. I wish the public officials in our area would do the same.. Keep up the good work.
Mark Nayman
Hey, Nathan!
We need to direct more of our funds to early childhood education with a focus on reading comprehension, especially for K-4 students. We need to fully fund kindergarten for every child. We need career centers in every school district or in clusters, which would emphasize applied science and math skills, and would address many of the different learning styles shared by many of our most at-risk students. Funding should also be included for transportation for all students; possibly from hubs with the districts. Tax incentives could be given to corporations, small businesses, and organizations who provide donations, volunteers, and partnerships with these career centers. Funding for technology to share practices, information and resources between the career centers and school districts would make sure these resources would be available to all of the students in the state.
Please contact me when you have time to meet for lunch or some other time to discuss these ideas and others I have. Thanks for listening and ACTING on behalf of our children!–TMD
We hear so much about our education system and how bad it is and more programs needed, etc etc and on and on we go. We have wonderful programs already that are in place and making huge differences to many children.
But! How many of the children who are put into these special programs do not have the encouragement, discipline shown them at home to reinforce the teaching they get from excellent teachers. What if the parents were made to attend counseling/help/tutoring where they can make a difference in their own home and the children saw their parents growing, caring, understanding. Perhaps marriages would be saved because of less stress in the home. Children would feel secure and loved and could focus on learning instead of other dysfunctional/destructive activities in the home. Parents would understand the education system better and more in tune with their child’s teacher. The list could go on and on!
Thanks for listening/reading. My heart often hurts to hear the stories my teacher friends tell.
[…] What bills would you introduce? The Legislature doesn’t return until January, but during the next several months is when I do my research and planning for what I feel (or have heard form you) is needed in our state and can move our state forward. I’d like to hear from you! […]