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Winter 2002 |
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THIS DISTRICT 15 REPORT is a quarterly newsletter concerning your State Government.
Due to the cost of mailing, I will not be able to mail a copy to everyone
in the District; however, I will do my best to place these reports in
various public locations so that individuals within District 15 will have
an opportunity to get this information. Any ideas you may have as to how
this newsletter could be improved are most welcome. Since you have
elected me to serve in the General Assembly, I have endeavored to keep you
informed about state and local issues and my work in the General Assembly
through this newsletter and district meetings. The response has been
outstanding. I hope I can continue to count on you to share your views and
concerns with me about our district and state. I always appreciate hearing
from you and cannot tell you how valuable your input is to me during the
deliberations on these issues. Presently, I serve on six Senate
Committees. It is an honor to be the Chairman of the Senate Ethics
Committee. Having helped to craft the Campaign Reform Act of 1992 and its
subsequent amendments in 1995, I find chairing the Committee that oversees
the application of these laws in the State Senate to be a rewarding
experience. I also serve on the Finance Committee that renders the Senate
version of your state budget, the Banking and Insurance Committee, the
Education Committee, the General Committee, and the Medical Affairs
Committee. These are all committees where significant legislation
important to York County is considered. As we enter the year 2002, we
are faced with new challenges. Things we all took for granted, we now
realize to be precious. Terrorism is no longer a threat; it is a reality
for which Americans citizens have valiantly taken the reins of
responsibility to insure the protection of families, communities, and
personal liberties. I am proud to stand with you to insure your state
government fulfills your expectations. Here are some of the issues to be
considered. BUDGET
The State’s Appropriation Bill is the main priority of any legislative
session. Due to economic conditions, state revenues are very low. This
budget must meet the needs of the State while considering the $500 million
dollars that was cut from the last year’s budget, as well as the cuts
needed again to provide a balanced budget this year. As a member of the
Senate Finance Committee, I will work diligently to protect South
Carolina’s “Triple A” credit rating. I will oppose any effort by the
General Assembly to initiate new taxes. I will work to protect education
from budget cuts. Also, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles needs
attention in order to correct deficiencies in it service to constituents. LOTTERY
Now that a lottery is up and running with a series of scratch-off tickets
available, the General Assembly has the responsibility to determine the
appropriate distribution of the revenues from anticipated lottery ticket
sales. Last year the legislature decided that after administrative costs,
all lottery money should go to education. CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM During the 114th Session (1999 - 2000) Senator Leatherman and I introduced major Campaign Finance Reform Legislation. The primary emphasis of this Bill required disclosure of funds contributed on behalf of candidates to third party organizations. This money, meant to benefit a candidate’s campaign without involving the candidate, is called “soft money,” and is presently unregulated. This Bill was passed by both chambers of the General Assembly and was sent to the Governor for approval. Governor Hodges chose to veto the bill. However, after vetoing this bill, the Governor appointed a special task force to study the issue of campaign funding reform. This task force completed its study with a report to the Governor that supports the basic tenets of my bill. Unable to cause the Governor to act on their findings, some members of that task force met with Representative Becky Meachum-Richardson, House Ethics Committee Chairperson, and me requesting that I resubmit this Bill with their recommendations included. Accordingly, I have decided to reintroduce a Campaign Reform Bill to include the findings of the Governor’s Task Force. MINI-BOTTLE LEGISLATION
I am also hopeful that we will see some movement on the minibottle legislation I introduced last year, which is presently in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee. This bill calls for a public vote in this November’s General Election to amend the South Carolina Constitution’s provision mandating use of minibottles in bars and restaurants. Should the public vote to amend the minibottle provision, advocates want lawmakers to de-emphasize minibottles, and allow “free pour” service. Mini-bottles contain two & one-half ounces of alcoholic beverage. The “free pour” method puts far less alcohol in each drink served. STATE PORTS AUTHORITY A decision will be made this year about the future expansion of the State Ports Authority. The state port in Charleston is a vital part of South Carolina’s economic structure. To accommodate economic growth now and in the future, the state benefits by a modern, viable seaport. Expanding a seaport of this magnitude is costly, but substantial income revenue can be realized if this expansion is done properly. As this development takes shape, I will work to make sure the seacoast environment of South Carolina is protected and the quality of life for citizens in the Charleston area is sustained and improved. BOND BILL
Last year the House passed a bond bill that the Senate will now consider.
Included in this Bill is funding for facilities in York County. These are
the renovation of Peabody Gym at Winthrop, new classrooms for York Tech,
and a new facility for the York County Museum. Also, the Governor has
recommended a bond bill in his annual budget proposal. A bond bill is
a separate piece of legislation allowing for the issuance of a
“certificate of debt” by the state where private investors can lend
the state money for a guaranteed return. These investments must be applied
to the designated capital improvement projects identified in the Bond
Bill. Generally, revenues generated by the bond-funded projects pay off
the bond’s investors thus avoiding the use of tax revenues.
If you need assistance, information, or if you want to discuss an
issue with me, please contact me. Wes Hayes |
