Bauer speaks to Darlington Kiwanis on state of the economy

DARLINGTON — Lt. Gov. André Bauer spoke mainly about the economy, but also mentioned other issues facing state, during his visit to the Darlington Kiwanis club Thursday afternoon.

“I try to spend as much time as I can in the summer, traveling around talking to folks and seeing what’s on their mind ... seeing some of the things that we can do as legislators when we get back to Columbia, to try to make their lives better,” Bauer said.

During his address, Bauer told the crowd that he wouldn’t seek another term as lieutenant governor, but didn’t conclusively say whether he would be a gubernatorial candidate in the state’s next general election.

Bauer did speak of the need for an inland port in the state, saying it would provide a boost for the economy and help market the state on a global level.

He also touched on the issue of education, and said there had to be a more uniform and cost-effective way of building schools across the state.

Bauer’s message continued to go back to the economy, though, and its continuing impact on people across the country.

“Over and over, it’s jobs, jobs and jobs,” he said, “and so I’ve spent a better part of the summer traveling around listening to these folks, and then trying to get out to meet folks that quite possibly could come to South Carolina and expand opportunities for some of these South Carolinians that are hurting.”

Bauer talked about trips he’s taken overseas to try and recruit global business to the Palmetto State. He also said there must be a more common-sense approach when it comes to state government.

Bauer told the crowd at Darlington Country Club that South Carolina needs to be more progressive to turn around business and to encourage people to re-invest in the area.

After the speech, Bauer took questions from Kiwanis members, many of whom are local Darlington business leaders. Some asked about the state of the economy, and Bauer again reiterated the need for recruitment of business and thinking on a global scale.

He also noted the impact of job losses across the state and the need for state leaders to help turn things around.

“Everywhere I go, that is mainly what’s on people’s minds,” Bauer said. “It used to be in years gone by, they’d talk about education and restructuring government. Now, quite frankly, all of them are feeling the pinch ... either they’re unemployed or one of their friends are unemployed, and so it’s a national thing, it’s not just in South Carolina.”