Horry County senate race not a close one
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An Horry County election that generated a lot of attention, and some controversy, is the race for Senate District 33. ??
Republican incumbent Luke Rankin faced Horry County Council Chairman Liz Gilland and attorney Howard Bond in Tuesday night’s primary. ??
The unofficial results from Horry County with all the precincts reporting have Howard Bond with 322 votes, Liz Gilland with 2,442, and Luke Rankin with 5,994. Read more
Gilland’s shot at senator falls short
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Four-term state Sen. Luke Rankin crushed Horry County Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland more than two to one in complete but unofficial returns to hold onto his place for nomination for the Republican slate on the November ballot.
“I am relieved and gratified,” Rankin said. “I’m looking forward to going back to work.”
After vote totals were in, Gilland said: “I just got shellacked.”
Later Rankin said: “The margin of victory certainly indicated that it was a well-crafted campaign.” Read more
Wireless Broadband Concept Moves Toward Reality
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Commission will review private lease proposals worth millions
Columbia, SC- The Senate today concurred with House amendments to H.4735, a joint resolution establishing the South Carolina Educational Broadband Service Commission. The commission will review proposals from private entities desiring to lease the excess closed-circuit spectrum that will soon become available on ETV’s statewide network. Private lease agreements could net the state millions. Estimated market value of the excess spectrum ranges from $70 million to over $160 million.
“I am excited this landmark opportunity now moves from concept to reality,” says Senator Luke Rankin (R-Horry). “Expanded availability of public and private high-speed internet services will allow South Carolinians to more effectively compete in the 21st century global market place”. Senator Rankin chaired the Senate subcommittee that developed the idea behind the Broadband Service Commission.
Although similar, the digital conversion opening up the broadband spectrum is not associated with the digital conversion of the television broadcast signal scheduled for February of 2009. The expanded availability of wireless broadband will be available after ETV converts a closed-circuit system it currently uses to provide topic specific programming used by teachers in the classroom. The seven-member commission will oversee the final execution of all agreements resulting from an approved proposal and will be dissolved no later than June 30, 2010.
The bill will now be placed in line for ratification before heading to the Governor’s office for his signature.
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Senate votes for cigarette tax increase
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Legislators attempting to shake automatic raises from proposal
The Senate voted 28-16 Tuesday for a 50-cent tax increase on a pack of cigarettes, but that does not seal the proposal’s fate.
Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, was among those who voted against the proposal because it includes automatic per-pack tax increases each year based on the inflation rate of medical care.
Horry and Georgetown counties’ other three senators voted in favor.
Attempts will be made today to strip that automatic tax increase out of the bill. Rankin said he is not sure how he will vote if that effort fails. Read more
