Legislative eNews-MARCH 3, 2007
LOCAL
Education Funding Update
On Tuesday, the Beaufort County Council’s Legislative Affairs Subcommittee held a meeting with the school board and other interested parties to discuss how to tackle shortages in state funding for education of local school children.
The Beaufort County School District lost $14.4 in state funding last year and had to request that the county council increase millage to cover the loss in state funding. In addition, last year the legislature imposed caps on county and municipal tax increases for school operating costs. Thus, the county and the school board are now faced with unfortunate choices on how to meet basic student needs in the coming years.
The Legislative Affairs Subcommittee agreed to work on the issue and collect the necessary data to make a better case for Beaufort County in Columbia. The meeting came on the heals of legislation introduced by State Senator Larry Martin, R-Pickens, that would penalize any county or school district for raising its millage rate more than 10 percent last year. The Beaufort County Council and Beaufort County School Board passed a joint resolution explaining the unique circumstances that led to the millage increase. It appeared that Senator Martin and his colleagues backed down on the penalty approach, however later in the week the House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Charleston, and others introduced similar legislation.
County Council Chair Weston Newton Announces for Senate Seat
Earlier this week Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton, decided to gain more seniority in the House and a possible seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, by not seeking the Senate seat vacated by Scott Richardson. Herbkersman threw his support to Beaufort County Council Chair Weston Newton who announced his intentions to run on Monday.
Weston Newton, who is serving his ninth year on the Beaufort County Council and his fifth as its chairman, is joined in the race with former County Council Chair Tom Taylor who has also officially announced. State Reps. Richard Chalk, R-Hilton Head, and Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, have also expressed interest in the race.
Registration for the special election for the state senate seat opens at noon today, March 2. The filing closes March 12. The primary election is scheduled for May 1 and special election June 19.
Hilton Head Airport Update
The Town of Hilton Head Design Review Board unanimously approved a tree mitigation program around the Hilton Head Island Airport, which outlines the plan to plant 665 trees to replace about 330 it needs to remove in order to comply with federal aviation safety standards. Removing the trees is required by the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure hazard-free landings and departures.
STATE
Barnwell Nuclear Legislation
H.3545, a bill that would allow Barnwell County's low-level nuclear waste facility to remain open to all states through 2023, remains in the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs. The Committee toured the site on Wednesday to see firsthand how low-level nuclear waste is handled. Local leaders, led by Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton, are concerned about the potential impact of the continued Barnwell nuclear storage facility on Beaufort County and are considering how to best handle the issue with the state legislature.
Jasper County Port Update
A House committee Tuesday recommended a new state commission to guide development of a Jasper County port. The commission is part of legislation that aims to end the legal deadlock between Jasper County and the SC State Ports Authority by forcing Jasper to put its plans for a privately developed port on hold for three years and setting progress deadlines for the Ports Authority.
The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee approved the bill Tuesday, adding an amendment establishing the Savannah River Maritime Commission. The commission would represent South Carolina in negotiations -- including those with Georgia -- over the relevant port issues.
Immigration
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill creating a study committee on the issue of illegal immigration. The panel also approved a bill that would create a registration process for those who operate an immigration assistance business, to prevent unscrupulous firms from taking advantage of immigrants.
The committee sent back to subcommittee a bill to require businesses with state contracts to utilize the Basic Pilot Program for employment purposes.
Property Insurance Hearing
On Wednesday newly appointed Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance Scott Richardson testified to the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Insurance Subcommittee about the homeowners insurance crisis our state is facing. Richardson, a Hilton Head native with a background in the insurance industry, told the subcommittee the best solutions to the property insurance crisis are market-based solutions. Specifically, Richardson told members that recruiting more companies to write policies in South Carolina and offering tax incentives to homeowners in certain situations would have long-term, positive effects on the market.
Richardson also testified that he and Governor Sanford are not opposed to moving the wind and hail pool line, pointing out that he was willing to conservatively move the line in select coastal areas.
FEDERAL
As expected the House passed H.R. 800, the “Employee Free Choice Act,” better know as the “Card Check” bill yesterday by a vote of 241-185. Under the bill, the current secret ballot for union elections could be replaced by employees signing a card during public union organizing meetings where everyone would know how a worker voted, putting undue peer pressure on the employee. As with any other type of private ballot election, secret ballots protect employees from retaliation and other things that might intimidate them. The bill now goes to the Senate.
