February 2010

Job Growth and Energy Conservation in SC!

Submitted by Vincent Sheheen on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 3:32pm

This week the state senate is moving forward on a bill, S. 1096, that I cosponsored with several other senators to create jobs and cut energy usage in our state. This groundbreaking law would allow our local electric cooperatives to partner with customers to rehabilitate energy-inefficient homes. The electric cooperatives would help customers finance home improvements such as weatherization, insulation, and upgrades to heating and cooling units.

According to an economic study, over 4,500 new jobs would be created by 2020 and over 7,000 jobs by 2030. These jobs will include contractors performing weatherization, HVAC installers, energy auditors, and more. Homeowners will also see increased disposable income as a result of decreased energy bills. The jobs will be dispersed throughout the state, bringing much-needed economic growth to many of our rural areas.

Sheheen Urges House to Make Targeted Cuts to Preserve Core Government Functions

Submitted by Laurin Manning on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 11:42am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Trav Robertson
(803)272-0485

Columbia, SC -- Today State Senator Vincent Sheheen, candidate for governor, called on House budget writers not to cut critical funding for education in the state budget and to raise the cigarette tax to the national average. Sheheen issued the following statement:

"These are tough budget times, but we need to make necessary cuts to the budget without sacrificing things that are critical investments for our future -- and education is one of those things," said Senator Sheheen. "We owe it to our children to keep teachers in the classroom."

# # #

Make February a Million Dollar Month!

Submitted by Sheheen for Governor on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 4:59pm

Here's a note from Trav Robertson:

Friend --

We're on the brink of reaching a fundraising milestone this month: one MILLION dollars.

With your help, Vincent will be the first Democratic candidate for governor to hit the million mark, which is a testament to lots of hard work and support from folks like you. Will you contribute today to make this our million dollar month?

Thousands of people -- people from all 46 counties -- are supporting Vincent Sheheen in his campaign to be the next governor because we are ready to be proud of South Carolina again. Not only will Vincent be a governor who will work tirelessly to bring jobs to our state and to improve our schools -- he'll also be a governor who will represent the everyday people and values that make this state special. We're tired of feeling defeated and disappointed by our leaders. Our state motto is, "While I breathe, I hope." With Vincent's leadership, we can restore hope in South Carolina.

Will you make a donation today and help us reach our goal?

Your contribution is vital to helping us fuel the aggressive campaign we have to run to win this election. We couldn't have made it this far without you, and we thank you in advance for your generosity today.

Thank you for all that you do,

Trav

Trav Robertson
Sheheen for Governor

Mullins McLeod Endorses Vincent Sheheen

Submitted by Sheheen for Governor on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 3:40pm

Charleston Attorney Mullins McLeod withdraws from the race and endorses Vincent's campaign. Video and updates to come. Thank you, Mullins! Great to have you on Team Sheheen.

[UPDATE] Click here to read Mullins' remarks at the event.

[UPDATE 2] Here's the video footage from today's endorsement event:

A Message from Mullins McLeod

Submitted by Sheheen for Governor on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 2:43pm

Dear Friend,

2010 is a critical year for South Carolina. Our state has suffered from record unemployment, underfunded public schools, and politicians who have put their own self interest ahead of working families in our state for far too long.

In April of last year, I began my campaign for governor to help bring about the change South Carolina needs. I have traveled all over this beautiful state, from the coast to the mountains. And I can assure you that our people deserve better from what they are getting from the governor’s office. They deserve leaders who will say no to special interest lobbyists who poison the system. They deserve leaders who will put people first again and change the culture in Columbia.

Our window of opportunity for change in South Carolina is not that wide, and it’s not that long. The school's kids who aren’t getting proper nutrition at home can’t wait any longer – the unemployed and underemployed parents who don’t know where the next mortgage check is coming from can’t wait any longer. The teachers who are scared to death that they’ll be the next victim of budget cuts cannot wait any longer.

South Carolina needs fundamental change but many of the candidates for governor, especially on the Republican side, represent more of the same.

Over the course of my candidacy I have come to know Vincent Sheheen. Like my candidacy, Vincent’s run for Governor represents a new generation of leaders I believe our state desperately needs. Vincent, too, is a change candidate. He has stood up to the lobbyists, he has fought to create jobs and he knows the politics of the past won’t solve today’s problems. And, without doubt, the politics of the past cannot prepare us for the future.

Payday Lending Loophole Story on WLTX

Submitted by Sheheen for Governor on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 11:14pm

Columbia's WLTX ran a segment tonight on the press conference that took place this afternoon at the State House. Read the text here or watch the segment below.

Snow!

Submitted by Sheheen for Governor on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 10:35pm

Vincent and his family enjoyed playing in the snow that hit South Carolina last weekend. Here are a few pics from the snow day.

Created with flickr slideshow.

They're Back!

Submitted by Vincent Sheheen on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 5:23pm

For more than a decade, payday lenders have preyed on some of our state's most vulnerable citizens, enabling them to get trapped in a vicious cycle of debt from which it became nearly impossible for many to escape.

Last year the General Assembly finally passed legislation cracking down on payday lenders and their predatory practices.

Turns out they didn't go down so easily. They're back. Some payday lenders created loopholes that have allowed them to skirt the law and avoid compliance with the reform measures passed last year.

Closing Payday Lending Loopholes

Submitted by Sheheen for Governor on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 11:06am

This morning's issue of The State newspaper includes a piece on the efforts of Senator Sheheen and Senator Joel Lourie to close unforeseen loopholes in last year's payday lending reform bill. The loopholes leave open several opportunities for payday lenders to skirt the reform measures, and the legislation proposed by Senators Sheheen and Lourie would stop payday lenders from being able to do so. You can read the article here.

At noon today, Senators Sheheen and Lourie will hold a press conference in front of the State House to urge passage of their legislation. Video and pictures from the event will be posted this afternoon.

Vincent answers 10 year old Caitlin's question

Submitted by Sheheen for Governor on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 4:09pm

Recently Vincent participated in a candidate forum sponsored by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. One of the questions submitted was from Caitlin, who is ten years old. Below is Vincent's answer to Caitlin's question: