Legislative eNews-fEBRUARY 16, 2007
LOCAL
Sales Tax Fix
The state legislature gave final approval this Tuesday to a special measure allowing the collection of an extra 1 percent of sales tax earmarked for Beaufort County road projects.
A reporting error could have delayed the collection of the tax until May of 2008. There was some confusion as to which bill, either the House or Senate passed bill, was the correct legislative vehicle to make the fix effective. The final approval, barring an unexpected veto from the Governor, allows Beaufort County to collect the 1-cent sales tax increase effective May 1, 2007. The Department of Revenue will now send notice to business owners on the collection of the tax.
Hilton Head Agrees to Impact Fees
After a standoff with the County on the amount and application of impact fees, the Town of Hilton Head will address the full Council in March. Impact fees are used to pay for roads and libraries and to promote controlled growth. The Town of Hilton Head, if approved by Council, will collect impact fees at slightly different rate than the County prescribed. The increased fees already have been adopted in unincorporated areas of the county and in Bluffton.
Beaufort County School Updates
Senator Larry Martin and other state legislators have introduced legislation to penalize what they describe as “rogue” school districts, including Beaufort, which increased millage above 10% last year. Given the over $14 million shortfall provided from the state to fund the education of students in Beaufort County, the legislative delegation, county council, school board, and local chambers are trying to educate legislators about the unfortunate set of circumstances based on an outdated funding formula that led to the local millage increase.
On March 6, the Beaufort County School Board will decide the future of the school calendar for county students. In early February, Interim Superintendent Phillip McDaniel told the board that he supported having all schools return to the traditional calendar. Others support a year-round calendar currently in place in 13 of the 28 schools in the county.
Also, note that May 15 is the date for the special election to fill the District 10 School Board seat for Sun City/Oaktie.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
March 20: Beaufort County Day in Columbia
May 23-23: Washington DC Fly-In
Please contact Chris Long at clong@hiltonheadisland.org or 341-8370 for more information on these important events.
STATE
Richardson Assumes Insurance Position
This week Senator Scott Richardson, a Hilton Head resident who represented Beaufort County in the State Senate since 2000, became the director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance after being confirmed by his colleagues in the Senate.
A special political party primary election will be held on May 1 and the general election will be held on June 19 by state law for the newly open Senate seat. This means that Beaufort County will not likely have representation in the Senate until after the legislature adjourns for the year.
The race to replace Richardson in the Senate is in full swing. State Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton and former Beaufort County Council Chairman Tom Taylor have announced intentions to run. Rep. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, Rep. Richard Chalk, R-Hilton Head Island, and County Council Chairman Weston Newton have also indicated interest. No Democrats have voiced their interest in running for the Senate seat to date. Candidates from either party will have to file for the special election within three weeks.
Property Insurance Debate Intensifies
New state insurance director and former local Senator, Scott Richardson enters the debate on property insurance cost and availability as the debate greatly intensifies.
Outgoing Director Eleanor Kitzman told a House committee this week that thousands of homeowner polices on the coast might not have been canceled if the state's wind pool had been expanded last year. While others argued that expanding the state sponsored wind pool would give companies an excuse for not writing coverage in those areas. The heated committee meeting portends a vigorous upcoming debate on this issue that is critical to coastal residents.
Jasper Port Bill Introduced in the Columbia
House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, introduced a joint resolution that would require the SC State Ports Authority to make progress within six months of condemning the planned port land. The Ports Authority is waiting for a legal decision on the condemnation of the land after a long battle with the state of Georgia. The joint resolution would set a series of goals to be met within a six-month prescribed time period. The resolution would not allow Jasper County to condemn the land for the next three years and only if the Ports Authority does not proceed.
The joint resolution was referred to the House Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry Tuesday. A majority of state representatives are signed on as sponsors; however some local representatives are working to ensure that the Jasper Port developments proceed regardless of which entity does the condemnation.
Immigration Bills in State Legislature
The Senate Constitutional Laws subcommittee passed out four immigration bills this week to the full Judiciary Committee. Two bills directly impact the business community including one that would create a study committee composed of members representing business, agriculture, construction, and tourism sectors, and another bill that would require businesses to participate in the pilot Federal Work Authorization Program (Basic Pilot Program).
