Peeler Introduces “JumpStart” Jobs Plan

S.C. Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) wants to give a tax break to businesses that hired unemployed workers.

Under Peeler’s proposal – announced on the eve of Tax Day – any employer who hires an unemployed South Carolinian would receive a $100 per month tax credit (for each employee hired) beginning on July 1, 2009. Peeler’s proposed tax credit would be available for 24 months, which would translate into a maximum credit of $2,400 per employee over a two-year period.

“We aren’t going to grow our economy if we keep growing government on the backs of our state’s businesses and working families,” Peeler said in unveiling his plan. “We have to relieve the burden on business owners so that they can afford to hire new employees and jumpstart our economy.”

True that.

And good for Peeler for being one of the few Republicans in Columbia who’s actually proposing that we invest something – even if it’s only a little bit – into our state’s economy instead of pouring it into more government.

These days, every dime we can keep out of government’s grubby paws is worth celebrating.

Given South Carolina’s astronomical 11% unemployment rate (and the billion dollar debt we’re going to owe the federal government as a result of our pathetic mismanagement of the costs associated with it), anything we can do to cut the number of unemployed is worth considering.

So props to Peeler on this one.

Obviously we need a bigger, more comprehensive tax relief proposal to truly “jump start” (two words) the economy, but again, any excuse to keep this money in employers hands – not government’s evil clutches – is something we’re going to support.

WEB EXTRA

Peeler Press Release (SC Senate GOP)

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