Barrett announces jobs plan on tour
Gubernatorial hopeful claims proposal will put residents back to work
By Robert Behre
South Carolina gubernatorial hopeful and U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett toured the state Monday to announce his jobs plan.
His proposal includes dozens of specific steps toward the goals of filling jobs immediately, overhauling the S.C. Department of Commerce, providing comprehensive tax and incentive reform, promoting tourism, making the state a leader in energy independence, improving infrastructure and fighting federal mandates and unfair labor laws.
"South Carolina is in its worst economic drought since the Great Depression. More than 270,000 of our state's citizens are out of work. So today I am offering this aggressive plan to put South Carolina back to work," he said.
With the state's unemployment rate at a record level and among the worst in the nation, jobs are expected to be among the hottest issues in this year's race. Barrett's GOP primary opponent, S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, laid out a 10-point "path to prosperity" economic development plan shortly after he entered the race in August. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and state Rep. Nikki Haley of Lexington are the other Republicans running for governor. All are expected to participate in a GOP debate Thursday in Charleston.
On the Democratic side, gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Camden said Monday that his plan to enact legislative oversight of state agencies is gaining momentum in the Legislature after his plan was folded into a reform measure to make the state's Department of Disability and Special Needs a Cabinet-level agency.
"Too often our state government agencies are on autopilot, acting with limited accountability to the taxpayer," Sheheen said.
The other Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls include Columbia lawyer Dwight Drake, state Sen. Robert Ford, Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod and S.C. Superintendent of Education Jim Rex.
The filing period for candidates seeking political party nominations is March 16-30. The parties hold their primaries June 8, and the general election is Nov. 2.
Reach Robert Behre at rbehre@postandcourier.com or 937-5771.
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