|
 From left to right: Pat Keasler, Butch Taylor and Jim Keasler.
The award was presented by Don Weaver, President of SCAT, during the 12th Annual Legislative Luncheon at the Capital City Club in Columbia.
Butch Taylor, President of the Greenville County Taxpayers
Association, who also serves on the SCAT Board of Directors, accepted
the award. Taylor was joined by Jim and Pat Keasler GCTA members from Greenville for the presentation. Jim Keasler serves as vice president of SCAT, along with Dan Harvell of Anderson County and David James of Cayce.
The South Carolina Association of Taxpayers was formed in 1982. The association has been gathering information about state taxes and spending since their inception and delivering the information to their members, to state government officials and to the public.
SCAT is an independent privately funded research group whose purpose is to encourage government to work more efficiently.
SCAT studies the way South Carolina officials spend money and formulate tax policies; keep track of bills being considered by the Legislature that relate to fiscal policy; and urge lawmakers to either support or oppose them.
Friends of Taxpayer Awards
Weaver presented eight Friends of the Taxpayer Awards to Gov. Mark Sanford, Sen. Glenn McConnell, five members of the House and a private citizen.
Gov. Sanford was cited for “holding the line on state spending and vetoing of earmarks.”
Sen. McConnell was commended for sponsoring a spending limitation bill.
Rep. Nathan Ballentine representing Lexington and Richland Counties was commended for “outstanding consistent service and steward of taxpayer monies” and for being an “ally of Gov. Sanford’s line item vetoes.”
Representatives Eric Beding-field and Phillip Shoopman from Greenville County along with Rep. James Merrill were presented “Friends of the Taxpayer Awards” and commended for their leadership in sustaining the Governor’s vetoes.
Rep. Annette Young was named Friend of the Taxpayer and commended for her continued opposition to a gas tax increase in South Carolina.
Don Carlson, a private citizen, was presented a Friend of the Taxpayer Award by the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers for his leadership in helping to defeat the Richland/Lexington District Five Bond referendum. His research, meeting attendance, numerous letters to the editor, and effectively presenting his case before members of the community all contributed to the defeat of a $256,500,000 general obligation bond patterned after the billion dollar bond plan approved by the Greenville County School Board without allowing a referendum.
|
