Legislative eNews
Local
Council Elections
Expect significant changes to the Beaufort County Council with only 5 of the 11 members returning in 2007. With the Council Chair moving to a new district, several retirements, and changes from the primary elections, the Beaufort County Council will have several new faces. The following members will hold council seats after winning the primary elections: District 7 - Paul Sommerville, District 10 - Jerry Stewart and District 2 - Steven Baer. Districts 1, 3, and 11 will be decided on November 7.
State House of Representative Elections
Incumbent Representative Richard Chalk won the Republican nomination to face Democrat challenger Flo Rosse for the District 123 seat. District 118 Representative Bill Herberksman did not face a primary challenge. In nearby District 122, incumbent Thayer Rivers lost the Democratic primary to Curtis Brantley.
County Council Advances November Transportation Referendum
The Beaufort County Council unanimously voted to support a November referendum asking voters to increase the sales tax by 1 percent to pay for $147 million worth of road improvements. The council approved the proposal in first reading Monday. Council members will make a final vote on the tax during its third reading, which has not yet been scheduled. This will be the third time a referendum on infrastructure has been brought before the public since 2002 (ballots failed in 2002 and 2004).
The effort received support Monday from the mayors of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, Port Royal and Hardeeville. The mayors are members of the Beaufort County Transportation Advisory Group.
The tax could raise money for 33 road project in southern Beaufort County, including extensions of the Bluffton Parkway, building access roads along parts of U.S. 278, and the continued widening of U.S. 278 and S.C. 170.
Workman Begins as Bluffton Town Manager
W.D. (Bill) Workman, former mayor of Greenville and senior executive with Fluor Daniel and Piedmont Natural Gas, began his position as Bluffton Town Manager on June 15, 2006. We welcome Mr. Workman to his new postion. Also, we congratulate outgoing Town Manager Josh Martin for a job well done and wish him the best in his future endeavours.
County Contracts to Prepare for Disaster Recovery
Beaufort County has hired a consulting firm to assist county officials in developing a disaster recovery plan. The report should be completed by November and acted on as an ordinance by the County Council.
State
State-wide Elections
Governor Mark Sanford defeated challenger Fred Lovelace to face Democrat Tommy Moore in the November 7 election. Lt. Governor Bauer heads to a June 27 run-off with Republican challenger Mike Campbell, the winner will face Democrat Robert Barber in November. Republican Secretary of State Mark Hammond defeated his primary opponent to face Democrat Cheryl Footman. Republican Arthur Ravenel is expected to face incumbent State Treasurer Grady Patterson in.
Legislature Adjourns for the Year
After overriding the Governor's veto of the state's 2007 budget by a vote of 99-13 in the House and 34-7 in the Senate, the legislature adjourned for the year. This was the culmination of a vigorous debate between the Governor and the legislature on state spending, with the legislature ultimately passing their intended budget. The Governor also vetoed the Economic Development Incentive Act, a bill boasting a long list of incentives intended to make South Carolina a more attractive place to do business. The House overrode the Governor's veto by a vote of 100 to 16. The Senate also overrode the veto.
Federal
US House Election
Two-term US Representative Joe Wilson did not face a primary challenge. He will face Democrat attorney Michael Ray Ellisor in November. Property Rights The Constitution Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on June 8 to discuss H.R. 4772 - The Private Property Rights Implementation Act. Bill supporters claim that HR 4772 would streamline access to the federal courts in regulatory takings cases, instead of allowing them to remain at the state and local level for extended periods of time. Action at the full committee level is anticipated, although no timeframe was provided at the hearing.
