Legislative eNews
Local
Business License Fees
The Beaufort County Council moved closer to increasing the fee it charges businesses to operate in unincorporated areas of the county. On Monday, the Finance Committee unanimously voted to increase the business-license fee. The council is considering raising the fee to 60 percent of the average fee charged by other local governments such as Hilton Head Island. It is expected to raise $3.4 million for the county. The county administrator is expected to offer an enforcement plan in the coming weeks. The full council will vote on the increase later this month when it finalizes its budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. If approved, the fee increase would go into effect January 1, 2007.
The chamber supports the current business license fee ordinance and its existing fee schedules and is concerned about raising the fee without the proper management and enforcement of the current program.
Council Changes
Changes to the Beaufort County Council due to the primary election outcomes and several retirements will result in a dramatically different committee leadership structure in 2007. The council will lose chairpersons for committees on finance, economic development, intergovernmental relations, affordable housing, public services and employee services.
State
Commerce Department Gets New Chief of Staff
The SC Commerce Department is making its second major change in a year. A new chief of staff begins next month. Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor says C.H. Maguire will replace Tim Dangerfield. The Chief of Staff position is primarily for economic development.
Federal
Senate Votes Against Minimum Wage Increase
The Senate voted against raising the minimum wage on Wednesday. The measure, offered as an amendment to an unrelated defense bill, would have raised the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour from the current $5.15, where it has remained for nine years. The 52 to 46 vote was eight short of the 60 required to meet a procedural requirement and pass the measure.
SBA Nominee
The President's nominee to head the Small Business Administration, Steven Preston, moved closer to confirmation after committing to fixing problems in the agency's disaster loan program that has come under criticism for its response to Hurricane Katrina. If confirmed Mr. Preston will oversee the 2006 SBA disaster plan, which is expected to be released next month.
Coastal Drilling
The House of Representatives Resources Committee this week passed a bill by 29-9 to lift the moratorium in drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), with both oil and gas drilling allowed within 100 miles of the coast. The bill also includes a provision which would allow state legislatures and Governors to allow drilling as close as 50 miles from shore. The bill may be considered on the House floor next week.
Estate Tax
The House voted to permanently repeal to federal estate tax on Thursday by 289-156. The Senate failed earlier this month to do the same, so it is unlikely that the estate tax will be permanently repealed before Congress adjourns later this year. Representative Joe Wilson supported the bill.
Immigration Reform
House Republicans threatened to not consider comprehensive immigration reform legislation until the fall unless the Senate and the Administration move closer to their position, causing concerns for local supporters of a provision in the bill the ensure the H-2B visa program is extended in adequate time to plan for the 2007 tourist season. The chamber is working to ensure the H-2B program is fully available to our local businesses.
