EDUCATION FINANCING. Last year the General Assembly passed broad changes in the education funding process, transfering much of education financing to the state through sales tax provisions thereby eliminating a large portion of local property taxes. The State Senate appointed the Education Funding Committee, which I chaired, to study this situation. After an exhaustive study, the committee presented the following recommendations: 1)The Board of Economic Advisors provide actual estimates of the state’s reimbursements to school districts by February 15, 2007; 2)maintaining distribution schedules of the $100,000 for School Operations and the $50,000 for Homestead School District Reimbursements; 3)Clarify the law defining the increase in the Consumer Price Index and Population in relation to school funding; and, 4)clarify the law relating to school districts with limited fiscal autonomy.
The committee has requested additional information and plans to continues its study of the new education funding distribution process.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. Last legislative session, a temporary provision was placed in the budget that established the “Child Development Education Pilot Program.” Also, Senator Courson, Senate Education Committee Chairman, appointed a bipartisian committee, in response to a court ruling, to identify inequities in public education between rural and urban districts in South Carolina. I served on this select committee that studied these issues over the past year. As a means to resolving these current conditions, the committee is considering the “Child Development Program” as one possible resolution to these inequities identified by the court. Programs like these would encourage an appreciation of learning in children at an early age and would be beneficial in both rural and urban areas, especially in low income families. The committee expects to recommend legislation to this end during the current session.
WATER SURFACE REMOVAL PERMITTING AND INTERBASIN TRANFERS. Recently, North Carolina decided to allow 10 million gallons of water a day to be removed from Lake Wylie and transferred to the Concord/Kannopolis area of North Carolina in a process called an Interbasin Transfer. Presently, Georgia is considering removing water from the Savana River to be given to the city of Atlanta. All of this is being done without consideration of South Carolina’s needs or consideration in the matters. This has caused me to realize more accutely the value of water in South Carolina and the General Assembly’s need to protect our natural resources. In addition to many lawsuits that are being initiated because of these actions, I am introducing legislation that will require any entity, such as municipalities and industries, who remove water more than 3,000,000 million gallons of water a month from the surface waters of South Carolina to apply for and receive a “Permit” for this use. In addition to giving legal rights to the “Permitted” users, this Legislation will allow South Carolina to measure the amount of water being used and insure that our waterways will be protected by guaranteeing enough flow of water to protect their ecosystems. Georgia presently has “Surface Water Permitting Policies,” and I am working hard to gain commitments from North Carolina to enact similar laws.
CATAWBA INDIAN RESERVATION GAMBLING. Last year the Catawba Indian Nation failed to gain approval from the General Assembly to open a category “B” Gambling Casino in Orangeburg County. This facility would have provided high speed, high stakes electronic bingo. This gambling would be very similar to video poker, which has been eliminated in South Carolina. Having failed in this venture, the Catawba Indian Tribe announced it would provide video poker gambling within the boundaries of its reservation in York County. York County Council, supported by the Governor and the State’s Attorney General, denied this action stating that the laws of South Carolina prohibit gambling. The Catawba Tribe filed for court action. Recently, the Catawba case was heard by the State’s Supreme Court. The Court’s decision is pending.
UNDERAGE DRINKING. I have heard concerns from citizens across York County, including parents of young people who died as a result of alcohol abuse, about underage drinking. Because of this, I have joined Sen. Lourie in the introduction of the “Prevention of Underage Drinking and Access to Alcohol Act of 2007.” This is a comprehensive overhaul of our current law providing stricter enforcement and penalties reaching from the young abuser to the businesses and adult providers. Law enforcement and the courts will have significantly less discretion in dealing with this issue as this new law will provide well defined and immediate consequences to these illegal actions.
DUI LAWS. In addition to the issue of underage drinking, South Carolina needs to toughen and clarify our laws against Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Drugs. Several Bills, dealing with expanding current laws and tightening existing enforcement of these laws, are being introduced this session, which I intend to support.
IDENTITY THEFT. I have joined Senator Thomas in sponsoring “Identity Theft Protection” legislation. This Bill provides for protection in connection with consumer credit reporting agencies, financial institutions, and other entities who require and use personal identity verifications such as Social Security Numbers. If passed, it will require extensive security measures be applied in the dissemination of this information.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION.
Legislation to revise the Workers’ Compensation System in South Carolina is expected this year. The purpose of the legislation is to combat fraud by placing a greater burden of proof upon the applicant. There is also an intent to revise or phase out the “Second Injury Fund,” which is an insurance program that reduces risks employers may bear for future claims from previously injured workers.
THIS NEWSLETTER, concerning events occurring in the General Assembly, is provided to keep you better informed. Due to cost of mailing, I regret I will not be able to mail a copy to everyone in Senate District #15. All Newsletters can be accessed at my Web Site. A public meeting is usually held twice a year at an accessible location. You are encouraged to come, express your opinions, and ask any questions.
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