“Understanding the dire circumstances many families across the state are facing, the State Senate passed my bi-partisan jobs plan with a unanimous vote nearly two months ago. South Carolina’s economy has been cut and we are bleeding more jobs everyday. My plan was the only one introduced in the General Assembly this year to help stop the bleeding. Today I call on the House to take up my plan as soon as their rules allow.”

Senator Peeler’s Jump Start Plan creates jobs by getting government out of the way, not by growing government with more spending:
Any employer who hires an unemployed South Carolinian will receive a $100 per month tax credit per employee beginning July 1, 2009.

• The tax credit is available for 24 months – maximum of $2,400 per employee in tax credit over a 2-year time.
• Defines an unemployed South Carolinian as:

Someone who gets a job between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010
Has been receiving unemployment benefits in SC for at least 4 weeks
Remains in this position with the employer for at least 4 weeks – working a minimum of 35 hours per week
Has no return to work date or promise of future employment
Provides a notarized affidavit that the individual is a US citizen or has a green card
Was unemployed immediately prior to being employed

• The employer becomes eligible for the tax credit when the employee has completed four consecutive weeks of work. A workweek consists of a minimum of 35 hours.

• The amount of tax credit cannot exceed the amount of taxes the employer pays in a year, but any amount in excess may be carried over to the succeeding year.

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- Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler