Dear Fellow Republican,

Our Republican majorities in the South Carolina Senate and House have an historic opportunity to make school choice a reality in South Carolina this year. School Choice has been a plank in our state and national platforms for years – and was an idea that former President Ronald Reagan fought for decades ago.

Over the past several weeks, House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Brian White and Representative Eric Bedingfield have been working hard to put together a comprehensive school choice plan that can pass the S.C. House and cause a vote to happen – and hopefully succeed – in the S.C. Senate.

As your State Republican Party Chairman, I appreciate the countless hours Chairman White and Representative Bedingfield have put into this effort.

Early next week, the House Ways & Means Committee will meet to consider and finalize what goes into this year’s state budget. It is imperative that school choice is authorized through the budget. Without that inclusion in the Appropriations Act, it is too easy for Senate rules to allow a small minority of Senators to prevent debate from happening this year.

While we all understand how school choice saves money, this Conservative proposal needs to be initiated through the budget – and this is where you come in.

The leadership of the House, and more importantly, of the Ways & Means Committee, need to hear from you. Each one of them has been a committed school choice supporter and I’m thankful for their support. Please contact them and encourage them to support school choice through the budget.

Speaker Bobby Harrell
BobbyHarrell@schouse.gov

Majority Leader Kenny Bingham
KennyBingham@schouse.gov

Ways & Means Chairman Brian White
BrianWhite@schouse.gov  

Bill Herbkersman
BillHerbkersman@schouse.gov

Chip Limehouse
ChipLimehouse@schouse.gov

Jim Merrill
JimMerrill@schouse.gov

Mike Pitts
MikePitts@schouse.gov

Gary Simrill
GarySimrill@schouse.gov

Roland Smith
RolandSmith@schouse.gov

Murrell Smith
MurrellSmith@schouse.gov

Thank you in advance,
Chairman Chad Connelly