S.C. House: Smith, Stavrinakis, Scarborough, Miller, Bailey

Five seats are contested for the S.C. House of Representatives on local ballots Tuesday. We urge voters to choose Steven Smith, Leon Stavrinakis, Wallace Scarborough, Vida Miller and George Bailey.

Political newcomer Steven Smith would be a voice for accountability and frugality in state government. Elect him as representative for District 109.

He works at MUSC and volunteers as a chaplain at the Good Samaritan Mission in North Charleston. He is running as a Republican because the party represents his views on lower taxes and less government.

Mr. Smith views better schools and greater access to technical and community colleges as vital assets for economic development.

He insists the state doesn't need to wait for the federal government to start working on energy solutions. It can start by providing tax incentives for building "green," he says.

Too often, he says, legislators look out for "special interests over our interests." He promises to cut pork spending and says legislative votes should be recorded to ensure that citizens know where their representatives stand. Mr. Smith would provide energetic and committed leadership.

Democrat Leon Stavrinakis has extended the admirable pattern he set as chairman of Charleston County Council by forging bipartisan alliances during his first House term.

He has earned re-election in District 119.

Mr. Stavrinakis has focused on education funding reform. He will continue his effort to require that 65 cents of every state dollar spent on public schools be used in the classroom.

He has demonstrated a dogged resolve to deliver the most bang for the taxpayers' buck. He has supported reform of the workers' compensation system, tax relief for small businesses, and allowing companies to minimize costs by pooling health-insurance coverage.

Republican Wallace Scarborough has been a voice for fiscal and environmental responsibility. He deserves a fifth term representing District 115.

His legislative achievements include helping to secure critical funding to preserve the Morris Island Lighthouse and leading the effort against ecologically damaging bridges to small islands for residential development. He has strongly supported the State Conservation Bank.

His proposal to tax gasoline by the gallon rather than the dollar is based on the need for new revenue for road maintenance and construction. He stresses the importance of sufficiently funding the prison system and adding judges to an overwhelmed court system. As chairman of an insurance subcommittee, he has worked for reforms to raise the number of coastal carriers.

Democrat Vida Miller of Pawleys Island has earned a seventh term in District 108, which also includes northern Charleston County. She has served as an effective advocate for education, conservation, road funding and her constituents.

As chairperson of an education subcommittee, she knows from difficult experience that the state's system for funding public schools must be overhauled.

She persuasively argues for giving local governments and school boards more control of education budgets, while also assuring that sufficient state resources are available for poor counties and districts.

Republican George Bailey has served 10 terms in the S.C. House — the first nine as a Democrat. But he lost his seat in 2006. Voters should return Mr. Bailey to his former District 97 seat.

He wants the Legislature to provide local government with more tools to deal with rampant growth. He remains committed to helping small businesses by streamlining regulations.

He admits that he "made mistakes" in his last two House terms by opposing many of Gov. Mark Sanford's efforts to reform state government. He says he now fully supports the governor's reform program.

He also has wisely changed his position on the Competitive Grants Program and opposes funneling state money to "pet projects."