2019 Statehouse Report #14
Legislative
Update
Week 14
Overview
We tee’d
off Master’s weekend and the beginning of our furlough week with a special
visit from the Carolina Panthers football team. Head Coach Ron Rivera visited
the State House along with players, executives, and their beloved mascot Sir
Purr. The welcomed visit comes as legislation is moving through the Senate to
provide professional sports teams the same incentives the state gives other
companies when they bring an attractive number of employees and economic
benefits to the state.
The legislation
has already passed the House and following approval in the Senate will have the
potential to bring hundreds of millions of dollars into South Carolina through
jobs and infrastructure.
Education Reform Update
Earlier
this year the House passed a comprehensive education reform bill that includes
raising teacher pay, decreasing statewide testing, consolidating small school
districts, and creating a committee that will monitor the education system from
pre-K to post-graduation. The bill was sent to the Senate where it will go
through the same committee process and public hearing debates. Now, parts of
the bill have passed the full Senate Education Committee and will be debated
next week during the Senate’s budget process.
We are
hopeful the Senate will pass an education reform package
that not only gives teachers a much-needed pay raise but also fixes some of the
deep-rooted problems that plague our current education system. We cannot stall
another year, we need to start making steps in the right direction.
FACT: South
Carolina is 24th in the nation for funding education but last in test scores and college readiness.
Legislative News
Uncovering Dark Money
The
House subcommittee on Constitutional Laws gave favorable reports on two
“sunshine” bills that would shed more light onto political ads paid for by
secretive groups and their anonymous donors. H. 3045 and H. 4203 would require independent
expenditure committees (2 or more individuals who spend $500 or more to engage
in election communications) that spend on political mailers, radio ads, or
television commercials to register (like every candidate is required to do)
with the State Ethics Commission. They would also need to disclose how much
they spent and any donors who contributed more than $1,000.
Business Tax License Fees
Legislation
to reform the business license tax system was filed in the House to help small
businesses by lowering the costly business tax. The tax has risen 50% in recent
years along with burdensome compliance issues that make the whole process time
consuming. H. 4431 could help bring uniformity to the system statewide and help
South Carolina compete economically with neighboring states.
Offshore Drilling and Seismic
Testing
Two
competing bills passed favorably out of Agriculture subcommittee this week, one
for and one against, seismic testing and offshore drilling off the South
Carolina coast. H. 3087 would make it difficult for oil companies to search and
drill for oil along the South Carolina coast. On the contrary, the other bill
that passed makes it easier for companies to drill for oil and gas. This will
leave the debate up to the full House and keep both pieces of legislation
moving.
Ridesharing Safety Makes Strides
The
House voted overwhelmingly, 99-1, to pass the Samantha Josephson Ridesharing Safety
Act. The bill requires Uber and other ride-booking companies to put an
illuminated sign in their window in hopes that could help connect riders to the
correct drivers. The bill seeks to increase the distance the rider can start
the verification process, but still encourages riders to check to make sure the
license plate and car match with the app. North Carolina legislators filed an
identical Uber Safety Bill in their State House this week.
As always, it's my honor to serve you in Columbia. Never hesitate to contact me.