November 20, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Carolina Club for Growth Releases 2013 Legislative Scorecards

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Today, the South Carolina Club for Growth Foundation released its 2013 Legislative Scorecards, awarding its “Taxpayer Hero” award to seven Senators and eight Representatives based on their voting records since January 2013.

Scorecard ratings are based on a wide range of economic and good government issues, with a maximum 100 points possible. Votes are assigned a value based on their relative importance. This year’s scorecard is made up of 17 Senate and 14 House roll call votes. Legislators with a score of “A” or “B+” earned the title of “Taxpayer Hero,” while those with a “D” or “F” earned the title of “Taxpayer Nightmare.”

Club Chairman Dave Ellison said, “It is important that South Carolinians are able to find out if promises made on the campaign trail are kept in the Statehouse. Since hardworking taxpayers can’t afford to watch every vote it is up to the South Carolina Club for Growth Foundation to shed some light. Every year we are contacted by constituents who are surprised that their legislator supports an issue at home but votes against it in Columbia.”

The votes on these scorecards were selected from over 1,500 votes taken since January 2013. They provide a snapshot of how legislators voted on crucial legislation that affects how South Carolinians live, work and play.

A pro-growth vote received the maximum number of points, while a vote against the pro-growth position received no points. In certain circumstances, points were deducted from legislators for changing a vote. If a legislator went on record as abstaining from a vote – due to a conflict of interest – that vote was not factored into their total score.

2013 Fast Facts

Senate:
-The average Republican score was 52
-The average Democrat score was 1
-The average SC Club for Growth PAC endorsed Score was 85

Taxpayer Heroes in the Senate:
Lee Bright
Kevin Bryant
Paul Thurmond
Tom Corbin
Shane Massey
Shane Martin
Katrina Shealy

House of Representatives:
-The average Republican score was 59
-The average Democrat score was 9
-The average SC Club for Growth PAC endorsed score was 82

Taxpayer Heroes in the House:
Ralph Norman
Garry Smith
Bill Taylor
Eric Bedingfield
Bill Chumley
Deborah Long
Phyllis Henderson

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