Summer 2001
NEWSLETTER

Committee Assignments
Ethics Committee, Chairman
Banking and Insurance Committee
Education Committee
Finance Committee
Corrections and Penology Committee
Medical Affairs 

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       This "District 15 Report" is a quarterly newsletter concerning your State Government.

       This report is placed in prominent locations so that citizens of District 15 will have an opportunity to receive this current information from their State Senator, Wes Hayes.

       Since being elected by you to serve in the General Assembly of South Carolina, I have endeavored to keep you informed about my actions as your representative and the actions of your government in the General Assembly. I have always depended upon you to tell me about the things you think are important, so that I may act on your behalf. I know I can continue to count on you to share your views and concerns with me about our local community and the state as a whole. I always appreciate hearing from you.

       Your advice, suggestions, and opinions are most valuable, as I try to make decisions that are in your best interest.

HISTORICAL SENATE SESSION

       This year Republican Senators became the majority within the Senate body. After 124 years as the minority party, Republicans now have control of the Senate. This is seen in the revamping of the Senate Rules to reflect a more democratic congressional model.

       Under this precedent, I was elected by my peers to be Chairperson of the Senate Ethics Committee. This committee monitors each Senator's compliance with "The Ethics, Government Accountability, and Campaign Reform Act of 1991". It receives senatorial "campaign disclosure forms" and "Statements of Economic Interest." The committee evaluates these reports for correctness and provides copies to anyone who makes a request. Also, the committee acts upon complaints, makes disciplinary recommendations, and suggests appropriate legislation to the Senate.

       In addition to chairing the Ethics Committee, I serve on these Senate Standing Committees:

Finance Committee
Education Committee
Banking & Insurance Committee
Medical Affairs Committee
General Committee

       And, I serve as Chairperson of the York County Legislative Delegation.

       It is because of your confidence in me through the years that I have been given these leadership opportunities. I am committed to you as I make decisions that impact this State.

STATE BUDGET

       Preparing the state's budget by dealing with the General Assembly's Appropriation Bill was very difficult. Not enough money will be collected in taxes this year to cover the cost of state expenditures at last year's level of spending. The state's tax estimates show a need to reduce spending by $500,000,000 in order to keep the state's finances in balance. Anytime a family has to reduce its cost of living, a struggle occurs because each member feels their needs to be the most important. Everybody, including the Governor, gives good reasons for requesting money, but it is up to the General Assembly to determine how the available money will be spent. With a great deal of work and much heartfelt struggle, the Senate and House were not able to come to an agreement in the allotted time, so the Governor called the General Assembly back into session to work out its differences and establish a State Budget. The House and Senate did establish this budget while also eliminating the sales tax on groceries.
       Through honest compromise, both Chambers agreed to permanently eliminate the sales tax on groceries by gradually reducing this tax each year until it is totally gone by 2006. However, Governor Hodges, utilizing his line item veto power, reinstated this tax on groceries.
       Many college and university boards announced tuition increases because of loss of state revenues. The Governor feels sales taxes on groceries will be used to keep higher education from raising tuition.

THE LOTTERY

       After extended debate with open and closed negotiation, the Senate, the House, and the Governor came to terms and established the lottery. The funding applications of the lottery were considered separately, and it was decided to hold this over until the General Assembly returns in January 2002. However, the mechanism for the lottery now moves toward implementation.
       The Lottery Commission is appointed and has begun to work. The Governor's appointees are Aretha Pigford, Columbia; John C. B. Smith Jr., Columbia; and Barry Krell, Charleston. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, appointed Angela B. Mulholland, Charleston; Edward Keith, Manning; and, James J. Bailey, Charleston. David Wilkins, Speaker of the House, R-Greenville, appointed Tim Madden, Greenville; Paula Harper, Bethea; and, former Republican House member T. Moffatt Burriss.
       Lottery games will be made available to the public beginning November 1, 2001. Initially these games will be limited to instant win tickets and online lottery games. Keno, pari-mutuel betting, casino gambling, and video lottery are prohibited. Multi-state lottery may be added as time progresses.
       My opposition to the Lottery is well known. However, I voted for the Lottery Bill in its final form because the Referendum demonstrated the voters' desire for its implementation. Having said this, I will work hard to insure the Lottery is credible and ethical in its management and distribution of earnings.
       If proceeds from the Lottery meet expectations, these proceeds will provide free tuition for South Carolina residents who attend technical colleges and two-year higher education institutions. Full tuition (Life Scholarship) will be provided for any state college or university, if qualifying higher school seniors meet two of three criteria as follows: A "B" average; a minimum SAT score of 1,100; Finish in the top 30% of their graduating class.
       A $2,000 (Hope Scholarship) will be awarded to state resident students earning "B" averages in high school, but do not meet either of the other academic requirements. Students who earn a "B" average the first year of college qualify for a full tuition Life Scholarship so long as the "B" average is maintained.
For students wishing to attend state private colleges and universities, the amount of the scholarship will be relative to the average tuition for a state funded institution. Negotiations will continue in January a proposed plan to provide $1,000 annually for resident 4-year-old kindergarten students.

REAPPORTIONMENT

       After receiving the results of the latest 10-year census, South Carolina must redraw the district lines for its representation in the United States Congress, and the State General Assembly. The District's population enumeration must comply with the United States Constitution and the Federal Voting Rights Act.
       The State Senate is now moving forward in the planning stage for redrawing these federal and state districts. South Carolina has 6 congressional districts giving it 6 representatives in Congress. The population for each congressional district should be about 668,669 people. The State Senate has forty-six districts, and the population for each of these districts should be about 87,218 people.
       Hearings were held around the state by a special reapportionment subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee. At the first group of hearings, the subcommittee listened to local opinions about the standards the Senate should use to identify new districts that will comply with population requirements. These opinions included keeping communities with similar interests together, creating districts that would enhance economic development rather than impede positive growth, and discouraging dividing voting precincts into multiple districts. Also, the subcommittee explained the guidelines for submitting redistricting plans.
       At the second group of hearings, these proposed plans were accepted. The purpose of these hearings was to seek active and informed public participation. The General Assembly returns to Columbia in Special Session on August 13, 2001 to adopt a Reapportionment Plan for South Carolina.

HIGHWAY SAFETY

       This year, the General Assembly addressed an important issue of highway safety. Although, several bills to strengthen licensing requirements for teen drivers and truck safety fell short of passage, a significant bill did pass mandating that young people 17 years of age and under must wear a seatbelt while in a motor vehicle. This bill also requires that parents or guardians of children under six and/or weighing less than 80 pounds will be required to ride in child-safety or booster seats. In addition, children under six cannot ride in the front seat of a motor vehicle unless no other options are available. This legislation also bans "Click It or Ticket," the checkpoint campaign used by Law enforcement officers this past year to encourage seat belt use. The Highway Bill became Law July 1, 2001.

I NEED YOUR ADVICE

       It is your advice; it is your opinion; it is your knowledge; and, it is your understanding of the important issues that affect our communities that provides me with the base to act responsibly as your senator. Thank you for staying in touch with me.