Local Radar

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Bill Hixon responds

web posted August 28, 2007
WEBNEWS – Answers to the questions for Republican Candidates for District 25 Senate by Bill Hixon.

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’m a Reagan Republican, deeply committed to the principles of low taxes and limited spending. The most important focus of any government should be letting the hard-working taxpayers keep more of their own money. I will fight unnecessary spending, and work with Governor Sanford to find and root out waste and streamline and reform state government.

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? 

I strongly support the right of local governments to protect people from second-hand smoke; however such decisions should only be in the hand of the governments closest to the people — local governments.

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

I am staunchly pro-life; and while It is a federal issue, I am in favor of state-level solutions to protect the unborn as well.


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.

I strongly support Home Rule.


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

I am extremely hard-working, with a proven record of getting positive results for my neighbors, even as a private citizen. Second, I have the right experience to do a good job: Real-world leadership experience. Experience as a community leader helping my neighbors solve community problems. And experience as a leader of the Republican Party, fighting for conservative causes such as low taxes, responsible spending and pro-family values. .

While I have never run for any elected office, I have served in a number of civic and governmental roles and have “learned-the-ropes” of getting things done for our community. From my past service as Board member of the Edgefleld County Chamber of Commerce and as South Carolina’s Ambassador for Economic Development, to my current position as a board member for the Economic Development Partnership for Aiken and Edgefield County, I have worked closely with government at all levels. I want to now put that experience to Work to help fill the void left by the current vacancy.


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?

Clearly, the nation needs comprehensive immigration reform --with secure borders and preventative measures to keep employers from hiring illegal immigrants. Unfortunately, Congress has failed to enact meaningful reform, forcing state and municipal governments to come up with local solutions to cur immigration problem, As our new Senator, I will work to block state tax funds from going directly or indirectly to illegal immigrants, and will support the comprehensive immigration reform packages currently pending in our state senate.


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?

We should step up enforcement of existing laws designed to protect us from the growing illegal immigration problem. State and local governments are going to have to continue taking more and more responsibility for pulling a stop to the problem as the federal government has failed to take action.

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?

I would work with Governor Sanford to streamline and reform our antiquated, inefficient system of government. And I will fight unnecessary spending and work to eliminate waste and inefficiency. As a businessman, I believe government should be run more like a business; I will apply those principles (low overhead and maximum results) to government and root out “far and duplication.


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?

We must continually strive to improve education in our state, so our young people are given ever opportunity to succeed in life. When we improve education, we improve the quality of life for everyone. Another key to improving the quality of life is economic development; we must work to bring new, higher-paying jobs to our area.  


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

Lower taxes and spending. As I’ve said, lam a fiscal conservative committed to reducing the tax burden and spending responsibly. Government is necessary. Big government is not. I believe the proper role of government is to do only those things that individuals cannot do for themselves. Letting people keep more of their own money is not only the right thing to do, but it is another way to improve the quality of life for our citizens
 

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