Commentary Headlines
First of all, let’s talk about what didn’t pass in the 2009 session of the South Carolina General Assembly.
I think most people were disappointed that the cigarette tax did not pass. There were two avenues of thought on how the money should be spent. The House version increases the cigarette tax by 2.5 cents per cigarette or 50 cents per pack.
I think most people were disappointed that the cigarette tax did not pass. There were two avenues of thought on how the money should be spent. The House version increases the cigarette tax by 2.5 cents per cigarette or 50 cents per pack.
Now that session has officially ended, I wanted to take a minute and share with you what happened for our district and our state.
The national economic downturn made this a tough year. But even in the midst of challenges, I’m proud of what my fellow House Republicans and I were able to get done. We focused on legislation that will help create jobs, improve education and prioritize public safety.
The national economic downturn made this a tough year. But even in the midst of challenges, I’m proud of what my fellow House Republicans and I were able to get done. We focused on legislation that will help create jobs, improve education and prioritize public safety.
For most of us, 20 minutes represents a morning coffee break with the newspaper, a fast lunch or a brief walk through the neighborhood. But when you or a loved one is having a heart attack and you’re trying to get to the nearest hospital, 20 minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
For residents in northern Berkeley County, it can take up to 50 minutes to drive to the closest hospital. Trident Health System wants to change that.
For residents in northern Berkeley County, it can take up to 50 minutes to drive to the closest hospital. Trident Health System wants to change that.
It seems like just yesterday when Berkeley County was most famous for its natural beauty and small town charm. Many locals remember the days when there was one bank, a couple of restaurants and a handful of doctors making house calls.
Berkeley County still possesses natural beauty and charm in abundance, but like all special places, the county has in recent years been "discovered." Its growth, to a population of about 158,000 residents today, has been an amazing thing to watch.
Berkeley County still possesses natural beauty and charm in abundance, but like all special places, the county has in recent years been "discovered." Its growth, to a population of about 158,000 residents today, has been an amazing thing to watch.
During his two terms, Republican Gov. Mark Sanford has been, at best, indifferent to South Carolina’s public schools.
At times, he has appeared to be downright hostile to the very concept of public education. ??
At times, he has appeared to be downright hostile to the very concept of public education. ??
To rate the success of the 118th session of the General Assembly is extremely hard this year.
Because of the depressed economy and hard times for many folks, and the fact that the legislature has been trying to figure out a way for the state to receive the $700 million in stimulus money over the protest of the governor, very little substantive legislation has been passed.
Because of the depressed economy and hard times for many folks, and the fact that the legislature has been trying to figure out a way for the state to receive the $700 million in stimulus money over the protest of the governor, very little substantive legislation has been passed.
The House earned many legislative victories this year, though the public discourse was consumed by talk of the so-called federal “stimulus.”
The near-constant budget debate, and the shortened session, made it harder for us to get some of these into law. We will continue working on some of these bills next year. There was a silver lining to the budget battles this year. It forced the General Assembly to look closely at state spending.
The near-constant budget debate, and the shortened session, made it harder for us to get some of these into law. We will continue working on some of these bills next year. There was a silver lining to the budget battles this year. It forced the General Assembly to look closely at state spending.
The General Assembly officially ended its session this week with verbal and legal battles that reflected tensions that had simmered since January.
This year’s legislative session took place against the backdrop of America’s worst recession since the Great Depression.
This year’s legislative session took place against the backdrop of America’s worst recession since the Great Depression.
“Hey Pops!” I sang as I walked in the room, like I’d done since I was four.
His gray, curly head looked up from a novel.
His gray, curly head looked up from a novel.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed a budget, which now awaits the Governor’s veto or signature. He has five days to address the budget bill, which contains the $350 million in stimulus money that he has refused to accept.
We will have the bill back on our desks next week. If he does veto the budget and the General Assembly does override his veto, the stimulus decision will then go to the courts. Just remember that even if we do not get the money, South Carolina will have to pay it back, and our money has gone to another state.
We will have the bill back on our desks next week. If he does veto the budget and the General Assembly does override his veto, the stimulus decision will then go to the courts. Just remember that even if we do not get the money, South Carolina will have to pay it back, and our money has gone to another state.
To save taxpayers money, the South Carolina House of Representatives was furloughed for another week.
The Senate, in the meantime, was in session and worked on a number of important bills that the House had already passed.
The Senate, in the meantime, was in session and worked on a number of important bills that the House had already passed.
Our state has an economic gem that is frequently overlooked by folks who don’t live in and around Charleston.
The Port of Charleston is an engine that powers business and job creation from the coast to the mountains.
The Port of Charleston is an engine that powers business and job creation from the coast to the mountains.
We were saddened to learn of the death of one of our former members, Dolly Cooper, who was the father of our Chairman of Ways and Means, Danny Cooper. Many of us took the time to attend his services in Anderson.
What a great statesman he was and I am privileged to say he was a good friend of mine. We will certainly miss him.
What a great statesman he was and I am privileged to say he was a good friend of mine. We will certainly miss him.
