(March 14) The New Democrats of the South Carolina Democratic Leadership Council today released their 'Reform Agenda for Success in the 21st Century.' This bold and innovative agenda lays out five long term goals as well as eight immediate actions that should be taken to enable the reforms needed to ensure success for South Carolina in the new global economy of the 21 century.

The centerpiece of the New Democrats reforms is a call for a Constitutional Amendment to require a 'top quality, world class' education instead of the 'minimally adequate' schools as contained in the present state Constitution.

New Democrats believe that we have a 'quiet crisis' in our state. With the nation's highest school drop out rate, lowest test scores and half of our young people entering the job market without the basic skills required for an entry level job - we are simply not producing public school graduates capable of competing in the global economy of the 21st century.

If we don't fix education, as a state, we will be doomed to failure in the 21st century.

New Democrats have a new vision for a new South Carolina.

"The fundamental values of New Democrats reflect the core values of South Carolina - opportunity, responsibility and community," said Greenwood Mayor and SC New Democrats Co-chair Floyd Nicholson. "Our Agenda - our vision, our specific ideas and policies - build on these values to promote the reforms we need for our state to be successful in the 21st century."

The New Democrats five long term goals which they believe could be achieved in 2 to 4 years include:

1. a Constitutional Amendment to establish a 'top quality, world class' education system instead of 'minimally adequate' as the state's standard for public education
   
   
2. universal statewide 4 year old kindergartens with adequate support services in health and nutrition
   
   
3. a lap top computer for every student and statewide coverage of wireless broadband
   
   
4. universal access to unlimited learning and job skills training
   
   
5. a minimum level of health care for everyone.

"These goals can not be reached overnight, but we can begin now," said Columbia Mayor and SC New Democrats Co-chair Bob Coble. "These are not some 'pie in the sky' ideas but realistic goals. Every one of these ideas is in place and working today in other states around the country." "The big idea here is the Constitutional Amendment," said Phil Noble, President of the SC New Democrats. "The politicians and the judges have proven they won't deliver a 'top quality, world class' education system. Now it's up to us, the people of this state, to make it happen and this is how we can do it."

The Agenda also outlines eight specific actions and projects that can be implemented today to help build a strong, prosperous and livable state. These include:

1. Establish a State Public Education Infrastructure Bank to build new schools in the state's poorest school districts, funded by up to $100 million per year
   
   
2. Increase South Carolina's minimum wage
   
   
3. Enact college tuition tax credits
   
   
4. Launch a statewide initiative to combat gang violence
   
   
5. Enact a statewide ban on smoking in public places
   
   
6. Develop statewide land conservation and land-use plans
   
   
7. Implement the Cool Cities Initiative to combat climate change
   
   
8. Promote universal community service thru individuals' and organizations' specific commitments of time and/or money

"Our proposals call for specific actions by the Governor, the Legislature, local officials and all the people of out state," said Dr. Lacy K. Ford, Chair of the SC New Democrats Policy Working Group. "All of us have a role to play - it is not for them to do, it is for us to do."

New Democrats believe in sound fiscal policies and their Agenda outlines several 'pay as you go' reform policies as to how to achieve these goals without increasing state or local debt or raising taxes. These include:

• Fund 'vital' vs. important priorities first
• Install and use new technology for efficiencies
• Freeze current spending with new money for vital priorities

To get the complete 'Reform Agenda for Success in the 21st Century' and see how everyone can become involved and help - visit www.SCNewDemocrats.org.

The full Agenda is available as a PDF download.

The SC New Democrats is both a think tank and a do tank - an action oriented public policy organization. Our goal is to reform the Democratic Party to win elections so we can reform South Carolina to be successful in the 21st century.

Founded by Governor Richard Riley, the New Democrats give a voice to people who want to move politics beyond the old left-right debates of the past. We seek to build support for a new public philosophy built on progressive ideals, mainstream values and innovative non-bureaucratic solutions to the challenges facing South Carolina's families