This campaign has been from day one about providing effective representation to the voters of Hilton Head Island.  I have never attacked the incumbents character or integrity.  Nor will I.  It has been and will continue to be about transparency and accountability.  It is important for voters to know Mr. Chalk’s voting record and failure to demonstrate an ability to work with others both locally and across the state.

Recently my opponent chose to characterize me as a puppet of the “Backroom political power brokers in Beaufort County”.  The facts are:  I have worked hard to build relationships with the local elected officials in the last few years.  I learned early on that it would be the relationships developed, consensus building and collaboration that would make a difference in the way Hilton Head Island was represented.  It is for this very reason that we move forward established and qualified to make a difference.

The following are the areas that the incumbent has taken issue with.  These issues have been raised throughout the course of this campaign.  Because they have been re-emphasized by well established leaders of this community,  Mr. Chalk is feeling attacked and is defensive.  Let me suggest the incumbent is being held accountable for both his votes and for being ineffective in his representation.

Issue #1 – Effectiveness Study

Over the last four years a survey has been sent to every member of the republican caucus in the House of Representatives with the exception of the three members of the Beaufort County delegation, consisting of Bill Herbkersman, Shannon Erickson and Richard Chalk.  The survey has one purpose, that being to see how the Beaufort County Delegation is ranked – by their peers – on the single point of effectiveness.  Each member is offered a study findings report but no actual information on how a member votes is released.  While one study may not reflect 100% accurate information.  Four studies with similar results offer a valid trend for consideration.

In 2007 Herbkersman was ranked 10th, Ceips was ranked 40th, Chalk was ranked 54th.

In 2008 Herbkersman was ranked 12th, Erickson was ranked 38th, Chalk was ranked next to last.

In 2009 Herbkersman was ranked 8th, Erickson was ranked 30th, Chalk was ranked last.

In 2010 Herbkersman was ranked 10th, Erickson was ranked 14th, Chalk was tied for last.

Issue #2 – Committee Assignment

Early on in this campaign the incumbent was challenged regarding his committee assignment, not by me but by Kate Keep.  I do not challenge the point being made by Kate, but also do not take exception to the pride with  which Richard distinguishes himself in service on the 3M Committee(Military, Medical, Municipal).  However, I do take exception to the false nature with which Mr. Chalk claims is the reason for his extended service on that committee and the claim he makes for not being a member of a committee he wishes to serve on.

Mr. Chalk claims that there is an un-written rule that you must be serving in your fourth term to be named to the Ways and Means Committee.  I questioned Mr. Chalk during our 3rd debate, my question was simple: Are you telling me that there is not one member of the Ways and Means Committee that began their service on that committee prior to their 4th term?  His answer was a resounding NO!

The truth is that there are 25 members of the Ways and Means Committee and more than 50% of them were named to that committee prior to their 4th term in office.  One member of the committee was named in their freshman term, some during their second term and most of them appointed during their 3rd term.

Issue #3 – Sembler Tax Incentives

Mr. Chalk voted three times in favor of these tax incentives.  I have maintained from the very beginning that these incentives represent bad tax policy period.  These incentives continue South Carolina on a slippery slope of picking and choosing winners and losers.

To add insult to injury, when a similar tax incentive bill for Bass Pro Shops  in another area of the state was presented for a vote on the house floor Mr. Chalk stood silent.  Neither voting yea or nay!  You cannot vote PRESENT in the South Carolina Legislature.  I have asked Mr. Chalk repeatedly to explain his choice and each time he has skillfully avoided answering the question.  The only explanation is that he knew by voting yea he would be held accountable for his vote back home by two challengers that were paying attention to his every move.  By voting no he would have alienated himself from other members of the house that he may have been working with to have a piece of his own legislation passed.

I have worked hard to bring about positive change.  I will continue to do so.  The only TRUE response is to hold elected officials accountable for their actions.

These are facts, not attacks and that is the difference.

When: Saturday, June 19th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Where: Spanish Wells Club, 1 Brams Point Road, Hilton Head Island

SPECIAL GUEST – STATE SENATOR TOM DAVIS

Please join us at Spanish Wells Club for an opportunity to meet and speak with Andy Patrick.

The event is open to everyone and, with so much excitement leading up to the June 22nd run-off for SC House Seat 123, this Meet & Greet offers an ideal atmosphere for anyone interested in meeting Andy and learning more about where he stands on key issues.

Light appetizers and drinks will be served and RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.

Please RSVP or submit questions to:
• Troy AhYo – troyahyo@gmail.com
• Blanche T. Sullivan – blanche@andypatrick.org

Click here for Downloadable PDF Flyer of the Event

Below the video is a link to hear the radio ad that we are running on 104.9 The Surf!

Click to hear Andy Patrick Radio Ad

With only days left until June 8th, the voters of Hilton Head must make a decision on who is the best person to represent Hilton Head Island. We believe that this video, made by a supporter, says it all.

We hope that after watching this video, you will vote for Andy Patrick.

Please vote on June 8th. We would love to have your support.

Thank You Very Much!

The Andy Patrick Team

Tomorrow, my family and I will attend the Navy League service at Veterans Park in Shelter Cove.  As a veteran myself, I will pause to remember those that served a greater cause than themselves and paid a price with their lives defending our freedoms.

Our prayers are with those that currently serve and their families that stand by them.

May God bless our veterans and our troops stationed around the world.  And may God bless the United States of America.

Election campaign event: Monday, May 24, at 2 p.m. in Cypress Hall at the Cypress Clubhouse:  Anyone may attend, not just Cypress residents (see directions below).

This is a debate between the three Republican candidates running for S.C. District 123, representing Hilton Head Island in the S.C. House of Representatives.  They are Kate Keep, Andy Patrick, and incumbent Richard Chalk.  The primary election is set for June 8 and no Democratic candidates have filed for election.

At the primary, Republicans have added two advisory referendums on which voters will be asked to vote yes or no.  These will be discussed at this May 24 campaign event.  One question asks if the state legislature should enact protection of South Carolina citizens against a new federal requirement that everyone purchase health care insurance or pay a fine.  The other asks whether the legislature should enact a specific formula to cap the growth of state spending.  Light refreshments will be served at this campaign event.

Since no Democratic candidate has filed for this seat, and assuming no one files as a petition candidate, the REAL election for the seat could be at the June 8th primary and not on November 2nd.  However, the primary winner must have 50% of the votes.  If no one receives that number, there will be a runoff of the top two vote getters on June 22nd.

Directions if you wish to attend this debate on May 24 and you don’t live in Hilton Head Plantation: When you enter the gate to Hilton Head Plantation, say you wish to attend this event at the Cypress.  If you enter the Plantation by the Cypress gate, the Cypress campus is the first right turn past the gate.  Proceed to the Cypress Clubhouse at 20 Lady Slipper Lane.  After entering the Clubhouse, turn left to find Cypress Hall.

(Columbia, SC) – Conservation Voters of South Carolina endorses Andy Patrick for election to the House of Representatives in the three way race for the District123 seat in Hilton Head and Beaufort County.

“Andy Patrick is running for the House because he cares about the quality of life in the Lowcountry, and especially on Hilton Head Island,” said Executive Director Ann Timberlake.  “He will take a sensible approach to protecting South Carolina’s outdoor traditions.”

Patrick understands the value of South Carolina’s landmark Conservation Bank that works with local land trusts to voluntarily protect natural and historic places.  He will fight for clean air and drinkable water because he knows new jobs are dependent upon these essential resources.  And he will advocate for clean energy policies.

According to Patrick, “we need to preserve open space, protect our water and provide local governments with the tools they need to cope with explosive growth. The Lowcountry environment is our life blood and we need to be good stewards of what we have. It is what makes us unique and attracts visitors from around the world.”

Candidates earn Conservation Voters’ support through an endorsement process that includes an examination of the candidates’ records, questionnaire responses and interviews.   “Andy Patrick will use his business experience to push for transparency and accountability in state government.  But most importantly, he is passionate about protecting the health and safety of his community” added Timberlake.

Since 2002, Conservation Voters has been making traditional conservation values a priority for elected leaders.  The independent bipartisan organization holds elected leaders accountable and publishes a biennial Conservation Scorecard.

An annual cap on state spending that requires budgeting at a sustainable level of growth relative to the annual increase in inflation plus the increase in the population.  Tax receipts above this spending limit could be applied toward unfunded liabilities (e.g., our state retirement system), put into a “rainy day” fund to cover shortfalls in years when revenues collected fall short of projections, and/or returned to the taxpayers of our state.

Comprehensive reform of our state’s tax system to make it relevant to the 21st century.  Our tax on cigarettes is the lowest in the country, our top marginal income tax rate is one of the highest rates in the country and our tax code is riddled with sales tax exemptions that, assuming they once did, no longer make sense.  Our tax structure must be comprehensively reformed, and Iwill fight against net tax increases and work for an overall reduction in the amount of taxes paid by South Carolinians with special emphasis placed on lowering our high job-killing income tax.

Zero-based budgeting throughout state government rather than the current practice of funding agencies at the previous year’s level and only debating new spending and budgeting that reduces the amount of one-time money used to fund ongoing programs (so-called “annualizations”), a practice that creates funding shortfalls in the following year’s budget.

Creation of an independent Inspector General to be appointed by the Governor and tasked with finding waste, fraud and abuse in state government.  The need for this function is evidenced by a number of recent disclosures that reflect poorly on the management of state government and failure of oversight.

South Carolinians should not settle for an over-priced government that provides mediocre results.  I envision a limited but effective government that provides value and real results for our tax dollars and promise that I, starting in my first legislative session and continuing in subsequent sessions, will work with a growing number of like minded legislators and our next governor to pass common sense reforms in these four areas:

FIRST, taxing and spending reforms to more effectively target our finite resources to core services, eliminate wasteful spending, and ultimately return more money to the taxpayers of South Carolina.

SECOND, structural reforms to the executive branch so that it can efficiently execute the laws and serve as an appropriate and effective check and balance on the other two branches of state government.

THIRD, judicial reforms to increase the independence of our judiciary and to make it a truly co-equal branch of state government.

FOURTH, legislative and ethics reforms to lessen the influence of special interest groups, increase the participation of our citizens and enhance the autonomy and powers of local governments.