James Emerson Smith in State of South Carolina Archives
On Civil Rights:
Proponent of women receiving equal pay and opportunities
When women are not treated equally, all of our state suffers.
It is time to make sure women receive equal pay and opportunities.
Source: 2018 S.C. gubernatorial candidate website JamesSmith.com
May 2, 2018
On Corporations:
Offer new businesses tax incentives to build in rural areas
When James Smith is governor, he will ensure our rural residents are equipped to compete in a technology-driven economy that is not restricted by their zip code. He will create new opportunities in rural areas by expanding internet access to rural
communities, offering new tax incentives for new businesses seeking to revitalize distressed areas, and developing regional business incubators in regions across South Carolina.
Source: 2018 S.C. gubernatorial candidate website JamesSmith.com
May 2, 2018
On Drugs:
Support the fight against drug addiction with resources
Heroin and opioid pain reliever overdoses in South Carolina outnumbered homicides in 2016. Addiction is a disease and we must support South Carolinians in recovery as we tackle the roots of this public health crisis.
James will make special resources available to address the opioid crisis. This includes improving access to treatment and recovery resources, promoting non-opioid treatment options and use of overdose-reversing drugs.
Source: 2018 S.C. gubernatorial candidate website JamesSmith.com
May 2, 2018
On Education:
Put money and effort into making public schools work for all
James Smith will be an Education Governor who will prioritize recruiting and retaining great teachers, keep our children safe, pursue bold reforms, and advance modernization and innovation to transform our education system so that all students are
prepared for the 21st century. The amount of funding a school receives should not be determined by its geographic location but rather by its need. James will work with the legislature and school leaders to develop a system that is equitable for all.
Source: 2018 S.C. gubernatorial candidate website JamesSmith.com
May 2, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Keep expanding in renewable energy; stay on cutting edge
When James Smith is governor, he will pursue economic development opportunities in emerging fields to ensure South Carolina stays on the cutting edge.
As governor, he will expand the growth in solar and renewable energy, seek to establish regional business incubators across the state, and boost the film industry and local agriculture.
Source: 2018 S.C. gubernatorial candidate website JamesSmith.com
May 2, 2018
On Environment:
All efforts should be made towards environmental protection
Every effort needs to be made to protect our environment and ensure that our beaches remain a
place of enjoyment for our residents and visitors.
Source: 2018 S.C. gubernatorial candidate website JamesSmith.com
May 2, 2018
On Gun Control:
Strict new regulations on gun sales, use and ownership
James believes in a South Carolina that stands with our youth. James will sign legislation that: Bans bump stocks and trigger cranks, requires universal background checks, including gun show sales, makes it a crime to threaten use of a weapon
on school grounds, restricts retail sales of military-style assault weapons and introduces individual responsibility measures requiring owners of military-style assault weapons to be responsible for safekeeping and reporting stolen weapons promptly.
Source: 2018 S.C. gubernatorial candidate website JamesSmith.com
May 2, 2018
On Health Care:
Expand Medicaid immediately to give needed healthcare
On the first day of the job as your Governor, James will expand Medicaid and deliver healthcare to over 150K South Carolinians who are being denied access simply because they live in the Palmetto State. By not accepting Medicaid expansion, Henry
McMaster is sending our tax dollars to other states while our own citizens are using emergency rooms for their own healthcare needs. We need to expand coverage to increase access to high quality, affordable healthcare and keep our tax money at home.
Source: 2018 S.C. gubernatorial candidate website JamesSmith.com
May 2, 2018
On Homeland Security:
Honors veterans by creating job opportunities for them
James knows first-hand the leadership, teamwork, discipline, and skills embodied in our veterans. He will continue to expand economic opportunities for our veterans and will partner with businesses to create and maintain a pipeline
so that the strengths of our soldiers are matched with the needs of our employers. He will also work to ensure that our veterans are able to receive continuing education so that they are competitive in and have access to emerging fields.
Source: 2018 S.C. gubernatorial candidate website JamesSmith.com
May 2, 2018
On Abortion:
Limit abortion to first trimester, or incest/rape situations
Smith indicates support of the following principles concerning abortion.- Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
- Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
Source: VoteSmart S.C. 2004 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2004
On Crime:
Supports death penalty; ending parole; and more prisons
Smith indicates support of the following principles concerning crime.- Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
- Support the death penalty in South Carolina.
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Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
- End parole for repeat violent offenders.
- Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
- Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
- Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
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Increase funding for state and local emergency agencies to prevent and to respond to terrorist attacks.
- Allow police to ticket motorists for not wearing their safety belts, even if they have committed no other traffic violation.
Source: VoteSmart S.C. 2004 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2004
On Tax Reform:
Eliminate inheritance tax, property tax, and vehicle tax
Smith indicates support of the following principles concerning taxation.- Greatly Increase Cigarette taxes
- Maintain Status on Corporate taxes
- Maintain Status on Income taxes
- Eliminate Inheritance taxes
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Eliminate Property taxes
- Eliminate Vehicle taxes
Q: Should Internet sales be taxed?
A: No.
Q: Do you support a revenue-dependent income tax reduction in South Carolina?
A: No.
Source: VoteSmart S.C. 2004 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2004
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021