South Carolina Senate finance committee chairman Harvey Peeler has made headlines this week by unveiling a spending plan that contains no pork barrel spending. The only item listed for consideration outside of the normal appropriations process is a proposed $290 million tax cut. Peeler made it clear that the budget will have zero earmarks, which are often criticized as a way for individual legislators to fund pet projects with taxpayer money without public scrutiny.
State representative Stephen Frank has been critical of earmarks, calling them a bypass of the normal budgeting process and a currency of corruption. Last year, FITSNews reported on over 500 earmarks totaling $435.2 million, many of which were deemed non-essential government spending. Earmarks give legislative leaders power over other members and fuel the dramatic growth of state government spending.
The proposed 2025-2026 budget includes a record-breaking $41.7 billion in spending, an 80% increase over the past decade. Lawmakers have been criticized for their secretive earmark process, with some proposing alternative solutions such as a municipal grant program. Peeler’s decision to eliminate pork barrel spending is expected to spark controversy in the S.C. House, where earmarks have been used to maintain loyalty among members.
FITSNews will continue to monitor this debate closely as lawmakers grapple with the issue of transparency and responsible spending in the state government.
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