Tuesday, Republican voters in Pickens County will decide a South Carolina Senate race between incumbent Larry Martin and his challenger, Central Mayor Mac Martin. Following are their profiles and their responses to questions posed by the Daily Journal/Messnenger.

Larry A. Martin, 50

Married 25 years to former Susan Evatt of Pendleton; three children

Attended Tri-County Technical College

Associated with Alice Mfg. Co., Inc. in Easley for 27 years

Served in SC House 1978-92

Served in SC Senate 1993 to present

C.J. ā€œMacā€ Martin, Jr.

Single,1 Daughter

Associates in Business, Majors Business Management, Marketing

Salesman SWS of SC, Owner/Landlord TTP Rentals

Town Council, Central 3 years

Mayor, Central, 3 Years

1) Gov. Mark Sanford has chastised the legislature for over-riding his vetoes and accused the assembly of driving state spending up. What is your opinion of recent state budgets? Do you agree with the governor? Describer your fiscal philosophy and offer a couple of examples of how you have or would work to control spending.

Mac Martin: I think our State Budget is a model of mass confusion. It seems that anytime there is an effort to control unnecessary spending, that effort is squashed before it can be considered. The Governor is right in trying to eliminate this waste. My philosophy is that one way costs can be controlled is by eliminating duplication and un necessary complication. I know that I will not be able to single handedly ā€œchange the Senateā€ but, I can work locally with our elected officials to eliminate duplication in spending and services across the county. I can develop a priority list of the needs of Pickens County and pursue what funding I can in Columbia. This in itself will save many tax dollars that will make a difference here.

Larry Martin: Most people consider me fiscally conservative, though I havenā€™t always agreed with the Governorā€™s budget vetoes. Over the past ten years, state spending has increased on average approximately four and one-half percent. The Legislature has done a good job in holding the line on spending in years of economic slowdowns but has been criticized in years of surplus revenue. I cosponsored a state spending cap this session that tied state spending to no more than the 10-year growth average for revenue growth. Excess revenue would be earmarked to a budget stabilization fund that could grow to 15 percent of general fund revenues. That fund could be used for general fund purposes when the economy slows down and state revenue falls beneath the spending cap. I intend to continue to pursue this common sense approach to state budgeting next session if granted the opportunity of another term.

2) The state dramatically changed the nature of property taxation in South Carolina last year, shifting the burden to sales tax. In light of current economic conditions, what is your opinion of this shift and, what will you do if the state comes up short in itā€™s ability to meet its obligation to local school districts?

Larry Martin: I opposed the blanket shift from the property tax to the state sales tax that would have impacted counties, cities, and school districts. The conference committee that considered this legislation did come back with a plan that focused solely on school districts and the sales tax swap on owner occupied homes. I voted for this plan for two reasons. First, the state is ultimately responsible for the funding of public education. Second, the general fund of the state is liable for any future shortfall that may occur because of the swap. The same policy does not hold true for county and municipal funding. Lastly, the cyclical nature of the sales tax makes a strong argument for a spending cap and budget stabilization fund

Mac Martin: Yes, the State did dramatically change the nature of property taxation last year and if you own any business property you know who ended up paying the majority of the burden. (business) If you have a very expensive home you probably noticed some relief and if you own a moderate price home you noticed very little difference. I think the concept of shifting some property tax to sales tax is a good idea, but the plan was put into law is another example of our Legislature using little common sense.

3) What role should the state play in local economic development?

Mac Martin:The State should help with the cost of infrastructure improvements associated with economic development.

Larry Martin: The state should play the leadership role in economic development for our state. The state provides tax incentives and the overall economic development policy that local governments use in the recruitment of industry/jobs. It should also assist with funding for infrastructure such as roads, sewer, etc., when viable prospects are negotiating with local economic development officials.

4) Where do you stand on the issue of vouchers?

Larry Martin: I support private and home school options for all parents. Moreover, I support charter schools and the widest range of choice for parents within our public schools. I do not support vouchers for private schools. The SC Constitution requires the General Assembly to provide for a system of free public education, and the Legislature should focus its efforts and finite resources on the funding for our public K-12 schools. Also, I remain convinced that public funding of any kind for private schools would quickly entangle government rules and regulation in their programs. If they accepted vouchers with their students, they would soon cease to be private schools.

Mac Martin: Ideally local schools should be adequate to fill the needs of parents searching for a quality education for their children. If local facilities are not adequate, parents should be able to take their children to a school where they feel they will be educated safely. These parents should be able to transfer the tax money they have contributed to a local public school of their choice.

5) Does South Carolina need to continue refining its eminent domain laws?

Mac Martin: Eminent Domain laws should be used as the last resort to obtain property for the common good. There are very few reasons I feel are good enough to use Eminent Domain.

Larry Martin:The General Assembly created a study committee that reviewed our stateā€™s eminent domain laws last fall. The study committee completed its work but has not published a report. I expect that some legislative recommendations will result and will be considered next session.

6) As more and more states become embroiled in legal battles over water rights, does the state need to take legislative action to protect these valuable resources

Larry Martin: An effort began during this legislative session to initiate a statewide water use plan that would be triggered by drought conditions. The debate never reached the Senate floor, but I support continued efforts to move a plan through the General Assembly.

Mac Martin: All Government entities in SC need to unite in an effort to conserve and increase our water resources. This will be one of the defining issues of the next decades and every effort needs to be made now to insure we have water to use in the future.

7) What have voters in your district defined as their ā€œmost important issueā€ for the assembly to be dealing with?

Mac Martin: I have discussed many issues in the last few months and have quite a list of things people want to see done. The ā€œmost important issueā€ is of course, taxes, and our legislatureā€™s habits of wasting money. As I said, I would be a fool to think I can single handedly change the State Legislature. I can, however, work locally to reduce duplication, prioritize the needs of Pickens County and take my list of priorities to Columbia. This is not the way things have been done in the past, but I think it will be very effective for the residents of Pickens County.

Larry Martin: I would have to say that the illegal immigration issue and the cost of gas with its adverse affects on family budgets are the top issues. After months of debate, weā€™ve finally reached a consensus on a strong illegal immigration bill that will likely be signed into law very soon. The cost of gas is obviously beyond the stateā€™s control. But, the General Assembly has acted to form a study committee to look at responsible off shore drilling.