Dear Friends:
This legislative year started at a very rapid pace. I am extremely pleased to be serving in my new position as Chairman of the Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee. This is one of six standing committees in the House of Representatives and is truly the business committee of the House. In addition to my added responsibilities, I also have greater input into the decisions of the leadership of the House.
Apart from the serious budget challenges that we face, we are diligently working on issues that will impact the lives, jobs, and pocketbooks of all South Carolinians:
The economy
Unemployment is at historic highs for this generation and our focus must be on creating a business climate that sustains existing jobs and creates new jobs. “Growing South Carolina’s Economy” is our top priority for this legislative year. Yes, I know that is a broad topic, but it is necessarily broad because there are so many different actions we can take. The House adopted a resolution asking our Congressmen to oppose the “Employee Free Choice Act” which should be better known as the “Union Coercion Act.” This law, under consideration by Congress, would eliminate an employee’s right to a secret ballot in union-organizing votes. I believe that the secret ballot is a fundamental right of all Americans in any vote. In this case, it protects an employee’s right to vote his conscience – rather than being intimidated by union
bosses or company representatives. It tells businesses that we respect fundamental rights and that we are business-friendly. Also, I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of legislation enhancing our tort reform laws. “Tort Reform” – more simply known as Lawsuit Abuse Reform – was a hot-button issue several years ago and we ushered sweeping reforms through the House several times earlier this decade. Now, as with most new laws, we have found that further changes are needed. The question is: How will this legislation create jobs? It will not directly create jobs, but it does send an important signal to the business community that South Carolina is a business-friendly state.
Voter ID plan
We want every legally eligible person to vote, but the key word here is “legally”. We have worked to ensure all South Carolinians can participate in a fair election process. Two bills passed the House that will protect our citizens’ rights to fair elections. The first bill will ban “Fusion Voting,” which is a process by which a candidate’s name can appear on a ballot multiple times under the banner of a multitude of parties. The total number of votes received, regardless of party, is combined in a final vote total. The second bill requires every voter to produce a government-issued photo ID at their polling place to prove they are a registered voter and to prove that they are who they claim to be. This isn’t the only time we are required to produce a photo identification. In South Carolina you have to present a photo ID to purchase
Sudafed, and you have to present one to board an airplane or cash a check, but not to vote. Currently, almost anybody could vote as somebody else, as long as they have that person’s voter registration card. The bill has nothing to do with voter suppression or abridging someone’s right to vote – we even abolished the $5.00 fee for obtaining a government-issued identification card. This closes a major hole in our election laws, and one that the U.S. Supreme Court said could be closed. This legislation protects the “one person, one vote” right.
Government efficiency
Almost all of us have suffered as a result of the downturn in the economy. We, in government, are no different. This year, the South Carolina House of Representatives will furlough ourselves for four weeks, saving taxpayers roughly $50,000 each week and at least $200,000 total. This is just a temporary patch in a tight budget year. One major solution for a leaner, more efficient legislative process is to permanently shorten the number of weeks we are in legislative session each year. The House has supported shortening the session at least eight times since 1994. This year, we will re-introduce this legislation, and we hope that we have the support of the Senate, where leaders have indicated this year that they support adjourning a few weeks early.
The state budget
The week of March 9-13, we will be debating the state budget. The process of writing the state budget is always tedious, but between the budget cuts and the poorly named federal “stimulus” package, this year is unlike any other I have seen in my 14 years in the General Assembly. Looking strictly at the numbers, a new influx of cash to help pay for schools, roads, and public safety looks like a good idea, but we have major concerns as we prepare to accept or reject the federal stimulus money. There is a high probability that we will accept at least a part of the stimulus money. Our failure to accept these funds does not reduce the overall amount of the federal stimulus package – other states will accept what we refuse. The federal money would help our education, public safety, and healthcare systems. The devil is always in the details with federal legislation, and
I am sure there will be more restrictions and requirements coming. There are many numbers being tossed around, but one fact is certain – every taxpayer will be paying this back for a very, very, long time.
Other key issues
In the coming weeks, we will be addressing a number of other very important issues. Some of those issues are education funding reform, tax reform, government spending limits, and the means to improve our roads and bridges.
I have scheduled two public hearings to help us identify and reduce “red tape” in government, especially as it impacts business. I am excited about the prospect of passing legislation, based upon the public hearings, to improve the business climate in South Carolina.
In our district
I want to thank many of you who have contacted me regarding the problem that Chickasaw Point Property Owner’s Association is having in collecting delinquent assessments. I am acutely aware of the problem and have spent a considerable amount of time researching it.
I am very supportive of your efforts to address this problem legislatively. I have very serious concerns about the portion of the bill currently being considered in our state Senate that says that a judgment lien by a property owner association would be superior to all
claims of creditors against the property. I am having our staff attorney research this provision. I fear that it would make it nearly impossible for residents to obtain mortgage financing because the mortgage would be in a secondary position. I am also concerned about taxing authorities at all levels from the IRS to local tax districts. If our research confirms my fears, I plan to work with my staff to find a workable solution.
Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the State Legislature. One of the benefits of my new and expanded role is that I can do more things for more people. Please call on me at any time that I may be of service to you.
Bill Sandifer |
