Government Relations

What Your Legislators Are Saying

We’ve got a firsthand look at what some delegates of the S.C. Senate and S.C. House of Representatives would like to see accomplished in 2006.

Rep. Thad Viers (District 68)
“I just want to continue to ensure the taxpayers dollars are spent wisely and efficiently and we come up with solutions that don’t require another government program limiting freedoms in SC lives. The key issues of this upcoming session are workers comp reform, which will help injured workers and lower premiums for businesses, as well as property tax reform and getting more education dollars to the classrooms.”

Sen. Luke A. Rankin (District 33)
“Certainly the school start issue is top on my list, along with property tax reform that does not punish our area, the continuing push for I-73 efforts and finally expanding four-year kindergarten across the state.”

Sen. Ray Cleary (District 34)
“We are listening to our constituents, especially concerning property tax reform. We will be sure our constituents’ voices are heard in Columbia and that Columbia understands what is occurring at the beach so we do not get harmed by what it occurring in Columbia.”

Sen. Dick Elliott (District 28)
“We cleared a lot of major items off the table last year including minibottles, casino boats, safeguarding Santee Cooper and tort reform. It was very busy and productive. Our first order of business this year will be to repay the rainy day funds of around $150 million, paying off old debt first. Hopefully, we can then take some of that other growth and put it toward property tax relief and so we don’t have to resort to a 2 percent sales tax. I see property tax reform being the major issue on table. The second injury fund, part of workers compensation, will be a real battlefield and I look forward to dealing with that in the upcoming year and we will have to find some fix for that in the legislative session. I’m going to be looking forward to integrating a 4-year-old kindergarten program and have already introduced a bill and am looking forward to working on its implementation. We need to spend new dollars to save the education process and get students from bad socio-economic backgrounds in order to keep them up par with other students. The school year shortening is something I’m also looking into so school doesn’t interfere with business in our area. I’ll also be looking at cigarette taxes to help programs and what we can do to upgrade our highways.”

Rep. Billy Witherspoon (District 105)
“I’m sure the property tax issue will be debated although I’m not sure how that will come out. I hope we can do something to hold down the cost of Medicaid. As far as my committee is concerned, we’re going to try to cut back on the game zones from 11 to six and I’m working on another issue on mercury. We have waters we’re told that have a high count of mercury and we’re not sure where it’s coming from . . . We do know we have some mercury switches in older cars and I want to stop the mercury before it gets into atmosphere. I’m particularly interested in economic development. We need to find jobs for our people . . and we need to work hard on that.”

Rep. Nelson Hardwick (District 106)
“The primary problem we have in my district is roads. I hope to get a study under way and get approval for an evacuation route for the south end and I hope to get that moving in the right direction. I am supportive of getting something done on Jessica’s law, the law regarding those who abuse children. We also need to deal with this sales tax issue and find a resolution that is fair to Horry County regarding sales tax and property tax. I would like to get the people help who need help and not create a larger problem that we have now. There are some pre-filed bills we need to get some movement on regarding tags on trailers. I’m interested in seeing what we can do about trying to improve education in SC, including improving poorer school districts and helping pre-K s get some possible funding. Until we bring those kids up to where they score better, we’ll always be 50th in the nation. I want o develop a better communication and better strategy w/ NESA and the Coastal Caucus to work as a team with the 30 or so legislators regarding the issues that are original in nature to the Pee Dee and the coastal areas.”

Rep. Alan Clemmons (District 107)
“The 2006 legislative year brings with it a great deal of promise for making South Carolina a more competitive state which will result in more jobs and a stronger economy. Bringing I-73 closer to reality, uniform school starting dates, workers comp reform and enhanced funding for tourism advertising are some of the legislative issues that, once achieved, will return sign dividends to all of South Carolina.”