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Chris Corley responds

web posted August 27, 2007
WEBNEWS – Answers to the questions for Republican Candidates for District 25 Senate by Chris Corley.

1 What do you feel is the single most important issue facing the 25th District and explain how you would address the issue if elected?

I believe that the single most important issue facing District is to ensure that the SC General Assembly is doing everything possible at the state level to successfully recruit new industry to create new jobs and capital investment all across District 25.  The General Assembly must also foster an environment that facilitates the expansion of our existing industry in District 25.  This includes fighting illegal immigration at the state level so that it does not overburden our local county governments and school boards so that it interferes with their abilities to educate and train the workforce as we are recruiting new and expanded industry for District 25. 

2 Over the last few years there have been increased calls for a smoking ban imposed by the State General Assembly. If elected, would you support a statewide ban on smoking in private businesses? 

No.  I do not support a statewide ban on smoking in private businesses.  Individual business owners should be allowed to make that decision themselves.

3 What is your position on abortion? Do you feel abortion should be a state or federal issue?

Because of my Christian faith, I am very much Pro-Life.  However, this issue is primarily a federal issue.

4 The last two decades have many feeling a marked erosion of the Home Rule Act by the General Assembly on local and county governments.  Do you:
A) Agree or disagree with the premise and B) What would you do, if elected, to support the Home Rule Act and the autonomy of local governments.

A.) I agree with the premise of the question. 

B.) From the inception of my campaign, I have been a strong advocate for the restoration and maintenance of the Home Rule Act.  If elected, I will support the Home Rule Act and work to prevent unfunded mandates passed on to local governments from State Government. 

5 What quality do you possess that would make you uniquely qualified to be the next District 25 Senator.

I am a life long resident of District 25.  I have worked hard at the Grass Roots level and all the way to the national level in the Republican Party.  I understand the needs and beliefs of the residents of District 25 and will be able to effectively represent these views in the SC General Assembly.

6 Illegal immigration has become an undeniable problem in District 25 and other districts across the state. It is a growing drain on the state and local government resources, schools, and health care facilities. Do you feel this is a federal issue and the states are powerless to confront the problem? What would you do as a Senator to address illegal aliens accessing government resources and jobs in South Carolina?

Illegal Immigration is primarily a Federal Issue.  However, there are certain actions the state government can take to address illegal immigration. 

1.    The State of South Carolina should require all entities doing business or bidding on business with the State of South Carolina certifies and document that all of their employees are legal residents of the United States.
2.    The State of South Carolina should require all companies, businesses and individuals that are licensed by the State of South Carolina certify and document that all of their employees are legal residents of the State of South Carolina.
3.    The State of South Carolina should pass a law to require that all government documents shall be printed in English only.  Also, we should require all drivers tests to be conducted in English only.


7 With the increasing number of undocumented and illegal aliens in our state and the threat of terrorism growing each day, what would you do to protect the citizens of South Carolina from attack?

The SC General Assembly must adequately fund S.L.E.D. and other agencies such as the S.C. Emergency Management Division to ensure that at the state level all measures to protect our citizens are taken.

8 Gov. Sanford has often said that South Carolina is wasting millions of dollars in tax revenues that could aid in reducing taxes. Do you agree or disagree and what would you do to reduce or increase taxes?

South Carolina State Government must be reformed, reorganized and modernized to ensure that State Government is much more efficient than it has been in the past.  With reform of State Government also requires more legislative oversight of any expanded Executive Branch authority.

I support Governor’s Sanford’s plan to reduce the state income tax.  The reduction of the state income tax will make our state more competitive with other states in the recruitment of new business and industry as well as the retention and expansion of our existing businesses and industry.


9 District 25 and the surrounding area is said to lead the state in infant mortality, births to teens and unwed mothers, and high school dropouts. South Carolina as a whole, in spite of above average spending per student, ranks among the lowest in the nation educationally. What would you do to improve these statistics in the state and specifically in District 25?

The problems that our schools are faced with today are disheartening.  It will take everyone in South Carolina working together to fix these problems.  We have to reduce wasteful spending within the school system to ensure that what money is there is spent as wisely as possible.  We also have to restore a sense of morals to our children, and ensure that we are doing everything we can to give them a balanced education.  We should certainly not have removed prayer from our schools. 


10 As a whole, what are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about ensuring that District 25 has all of the resources and tools necessary to facilitate the creation of new jobs and capital investment.  We must also work hard to create a business and regulatory environment that will accommodate the retention and expansion of our existing industry in District 25. 

I am also extremely passionate about taking the steps at the state level that we can to illegal immigration.  While primarily a federal issue, I plan to take every action I can as your State Senator to end the practice of encouraging illegal immigration.  Towards that end we can at least take the following three steps at the state level:

1.     The State of South Carolina should require all entities doing business or   
bidding on business with the State of South Carolina certifies and document that all of their employees are legal residents of the United States.
2.    The State of South Carolina should require all companies, businesses and individuals that are licensed by the State of South Carolina certify and document that all of their employees are legal residents of the State of South Carolina.
3.    The State of South Carolina should pass a law to require that all government documents shall be printed in English only.  Also, we should require all drivers tests to be conducted in English only.
 
 

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