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RESTRUCTURING
OF STATE GOVERNMENT. In his “State of the State” address the Governor
listed “Government Restructuring” as one of his priorities. While he
did not elaborate in his speech, he was referring to placing many “Constitutional
Offices” under the appointment of the Governor. “Constitutional
Offices” are Governor, Lt. Governor, State Treasurer, State Comptroller
General, State Superintendent of Education, Secretary of State, and
Adjudent General of the State National Guard. In support of the Governor,
several legislators have already introduced legislation calling for
placing these changes on the ballot on the next election. The
responsibility of changing the Constitution lies with the General Assembly
and the people. The strategy is to have individual resolutions introduced
for each Constitutional Office, therefore making it possible for certain
offices to make it to the ballot. The Governor would also like to see the
Department of Transportation under his cabinet.
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.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Sen. Wes Hayes, Dist. #15
Gressette Building Room 205
P.O. Box 142
Columbia, South Carolina 29202
Phone in Columbia 803-212-6410
Phone in Rock Hill 324-2400
email: set@scsenate.org |
