Tracy Robins

Tracy Robins was born in Bluffton, South Carolina. Robins earned a high school diploma from Beaufort High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in 1996. Her career experience includes working as a political organizer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a retired South Carolina public school teacher, and former girl's track, softball, and volleyball coach. I am married to Paul Robins, a small business owner in Columbia, SC.

I decided to run for office because I feel many of our elected officials are not working for the people, but instead for themselves, lobbyists, corporations, or other special interests. I also have a passion to reform our public school system, and I am very excited about the possibility of being able to accomplish some real transformative changes in our publicly funded schools.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My main priority if elected is to transform our current state education system. This would entail comprehensive changes to refining our curriculum, altering the way our school board members are elected, testing, behavior management policies, leadership training for school administrators and school board members, cuts in bureaucracy, teacher and support staff salaries, truth in reporting on our state report cards, and prioritized spending. I would also implement an enormous push for trade-based high schools that will allow students to graduate and then head straight into the workforce.I would slash our current state budget. Spending has become a problem in local, state, and in our federal government. SC has spent over ten billion dollars in earmarks in the last 12 years. I would create or cosponsor a bill to eliminate this burdensome practice by our General Assembly, or to at least require that funds go to core government functions (and that the funds spent have reached legitimate, legal entities). I would also end the ability to put in a proviso once the budget is out of the Ways and Means committee. Cutting ear marks and provisos would help our state reach my goal of eliminating the state income tax.

I would also vote to implement Zero-Based Budgeting.Our infrastructure is crumbling before our very eyes, and as the growth of our state explodes, the real need to build and repair our current roads and bridges are a necessity. I would push for the SCDOT to produce significant policies to provide our residents with the well paved roads and safe bridges that we need, especially due to the amount of money being spent on these projects.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally extremely passionate about our state's public-school crisis. We have ignored the failures of our schools for far too long. We are at a crisis point for teacher recruitment, as well as student achievement. I am extremely excited about the potential to finally tackle this problem!

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, communication, conviction, and the ability to work with persons of differing views in order to make significant changes to current bad policies.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a good listener, an extremely hard worker, and I with my public-school background- the ability to work with all sorts of people in order to achieve one goal- success.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibility of an elected official is serve the will of the people, not the will of themselves or any special interests.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that I remember was the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was an exciting time to watch East and West Germany people unite again.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Public school curriculum reform to move non-college track students into a skilled based, technical ready to work field.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

To date, US Congressman Joe Wilson

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