Earmark Reform Plan Passes Out State Senate
Columbia, SC – April 2, 2009 – While Congress continues to put our nation further in debt with exorbitant spending, South Carolina State Senator Shane Massey is taking common-sense steps to reduce spending at the state level. On the opening day of the 2009 legislative session, the South Carolina State Senate passed a monumental rules change increasing spending transparency with ‘on the record’ voting. The Senate took another huge step toward spending accountability today by passing Senator Shane Massey’s (R-Edgefield) earmark reform plan out of the State Senate.
Senator Massey’s reform package requires legislators to put their names on any spending requests they insert into the state budget. Currently a Senator can request a spending project under the cloak of anonymity. Massey’s plan shines the light of public scrutiny on state government spending.
“The federal government continues to put our nation further in debt and South Carolina’s taxpayers will be paying it off for many years to come. There’s not a lot we can do about Congress’ irresponsible actions, but we can demand spending accountability here in South Carolina,” Senator Massey said.
Massey continued, “South Carolina’s State Senators see the wave of change sweeping across the state and nation. We know taxpayers are demanding reform, accountability, and transparency. This plan uncovers the secret spending projects that could balloon our state budget at the expense of essential services such as our education, transportation, and criminal justice systems.”
The bill was approved by the State Senate today on second reading.