April 7 , 2006
TOURISM HITS A HOME RUN!!!
The Senate Finance Subcommittee passed several budget provisions this week including one proviso that provides matching funds for tourism promotion. If approved, this competitive grant program will be the single largest destination marketing grant the state has ever funded! Passed by the House two weeks ago, this grant proposal allocated $2 million of matching funds, but the Senate went one step further . . . well, actually $3 million steps further. Under the leadership of Sen. McGill, the subcommittee eagerly approved this measure but increased the amount to $5 million. Tourism scores big!
LATE SCHOOL START BILL RATIFIED
The late school start bill was ratified on Thursday. That formality sends the bill to the governor’s desk, and he has five work days to sign it. Two weeks ago, Gov. Sanford indicated he would, in fact, sign the legislation. By this time next week, the late school start bill should be law and once again, school will be out for the summer.
RESTAURANT SMOKING-BAN BILL MOVES FORWARD
The House Judiciary Committee approved legislation that bans smoking in all restaurants and other specified establishments, with some exceptions. This proposal will now move onto the House floor. Some say this is needed; others say it is wrong. What do you think? Please
e-mail us with your thoughts.
TAX SWAP SURVIVES
Senate Finance passed a sales-tax-for-property-tax swap this week, which sends the bill onto the Senate floor. The proposal calls for a one cent sales tax increase and should be voted upon in a November referendum. If approved, the sales tax would provide property tax relief for school-related expenses on owner-occupied homes. The debate was long and not always pleasant. Ultimately, the bill was approved by a narrow margin.
Two Thumbs Up for Sen. Yancey McGill (D-Kingstree), a true friend of the Grand Strand. Sen. McGill fought hard to not only protect the new tourism promotion program but also to increase it. The Senate proviso, passed by a subcommittee, allocates $5 million for matching funds to promote destination marketing. Well done, Mr. Senator!
Thumbs Up to Sen. Jim DeMint who put forth legislation to alter the federal transportation funding methods earlier this week. If his proposal passes, it would reduce South Carolina’s status as a donor state and allow SCDOT more control over how transportation funds are allocated. This proposal is “good government” and other senators would be wise to jump on board.
Did you know?
You can see the state while never leaving your office. A number of Web cams currently show such places as Clemson, Columbia, Charleston, Florence, Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island and Hilton Head, among others. They can all be found on the SCIWAYS Web site. Want to take a look? Just click
here.
