South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus

SUBCOMMITTEE MOVES TWO AGENCIES UNDER THE GOVERNOR’S PURVIEW

October 29, 2009 – Columbia, SC – A key South Carolina State Senate subcommittee passed three government restructuring bills yesterday, a move many are applauding as a strong effort to make state government more efficient, accountable, and responsive. Chaired by Senator Danny Verdin (R-Laurens), the Medical Affairs subcommittee refined the operations of South Carolina’s health care services, moving two agencies under the Governor’s cabinet.

Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) appointed the committee to look for ways to make the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN), and the Department of Mental Health more efficient. Hit by a tough economic crisis, Senate leaders are looking for conservative ways to tighten the state’s budgetary belt. Restructuring agencies will save taxpayer dollars while making the departments more efficient.

In three separate bills, DHEC and the Department of Mental Health will be moved under the Governor’s cabinet and led by a Secretary appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. DDSN will remain a non-cabinet agency with a seven-member board appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate. The DDSN bill also enacts changes recommended by a Legislative Audit Counsel review.

In passing the bills out of subcommittee, Senator Verdin said “We should be focused like a laser on building South Carolina’s economy and creating new jobs. Government reform will save taxpayer dollars and help make our state more business friendly.”

He continued, “South Carolina’s hard working taxpayers deserve better than what government is providing. We know what has to be done to make government more accountable and we’re determined to get the job done.”

Majority Leader Peeler commented “we have to prove to businesses looking at South Carolina that we’re committed to running the most efficient and accountable government in the nation. Conservative reform will create jobs.”

Senate Time – Senator Shane Massey from SC Senate GOP on Vimeo.

Senator Shane Massey talks about the big issues in front of the Senate on ‘Senate Time.‘

Majority Leader’s Job Plan Will Give Tax Credits To Businesses That Hire Unemployed South Carolina Workers

Columbia, SC – April 28, 2009 – A jobs plan introduced just two weeks ago by South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler has already passed the State Senate. Peeler’s “Jumpstart Plan” provides tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed state workers and grows our economy by promoting the private sector, not growing government. It was approved on second reading yesterday by a vote of 39-0. It was passed out of the Senate on third reading today.

Under Peeler’s plan any employer who hires an unemployed South Carolinian will receive a $100 per month tax credit for each employee hired beginning July 1, 2009. The tax credit is available for 24 months, a maximum of $2,400 per employee over two years.

Senator Peeler said, “Today the State Senate approved our jobs plan on a unanimous vote because we understand the dire circumstances too many families are facing. We’ve spent weeks talking about skyrocketing unemployment numbers and declining state revenues. We’ve talked about laying off teachers and closing prisons. Now we are moving past the problems and laying out a common-sense solution that can put South Carolina back to work.”

Peeler continued, “We can’t grow South Carolina’s economy with increased spending and big government projects on the backs of our state’s businesses and working families. Government isn’t the solution. Government is the problem. The solution must come from the private sector and the only thing government can do to help right now is to empower businesses and working families.”

Details of the “Jumpstart Plan:”

• Any employer who hires an unemployed South Carolinian will receive a $100 per month tax credit per employee beginning July 1, 2009.

• The tax credit is available for 24 months – maximum of $2,400 per employee in tax credit over a 2 year time.

• Defines an unemployed South Carolinian as:

o Someone who gets a job between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010

o Has been receiving unemployment benefits in SC for at least 4 weeks

o Remains in this position with the employer for at least 4 weeks – working a minimum of 35 hours per week

o Has no return to work date or promise of future employment

o Provides a notarized affidavit that the individual is a US citizen or has a green card

o Was unemployed immediately prior to being employed

• The employer becomes eligible for the tax credit when the employee has completed four consecutive weeks of work. A workweek consists of a minimum of 35 hours.

• The amount of tax credit cannot exceed the amount of taxes the employer pays in a year, but any amount in excess may be carried over to the succeeding year.

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NFIB, the nation’s leading small business association, has endorsed Senator Peeler’s jobs tax credit plan. Here’s a release from NFIB:

Small businesses support tax credits for hiring unemployed workers
Legislation would reduce South Carolina’s jobless rate while helping state’s job creators

COLUMBIA, S.C., April 15, 2009—J.J. Darby, South Carolina state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said today that small business owners support a bill allowing employers to receive tax credits for hiring unemployed workers.

S. 690, sponsored by Sen. Harvey S. Peeler Jr. (Gaffney) and 19 other senators, would help reduce South Carolina’s jobless rate by allowing employers to receive a tax credit worth $100 a month for hiring someone who receives state unemployment benefits. Employers could receive the credit for 24 months—meaning it would be worth as much as $2,400 per employee.

“The bill makes a lot of sense,” Darby said. “I think the senators are taking a very practical, commonsense approach to dealing with the serious unemployment problem in our state. I appreciate Sen. Peeler’s leadership in trying to help both businesses considering hiring and people looking for work here in South Carolina.”

NFIB supported similar legislation that recently passed the Georgia General Assembly.

NFIB/South Carolina is the state’s leading small business association. Small businesses represent 97 percent of all South Carolina employers, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.

Live Broadcasting by Ustream

Senator Kevin Bryant chats with Internet viewers about the federal stimulus money, school choice, card check, the 10th Amendment resolution, and online check registers.

Members of the Press – Happy Monday!

I’ve had a ton of emails and calls about this week’s Senate schedule. Here’s the deal – it’s going to be a very busy week. We will be in session tomorrow, but not Wednesday or Thursday. We have a ton of committee work going on all three days. Here’s a list of the hot issues y’all have been covering that will be in subcommittee and committee this week:

Fee Increase Moratorium: Finance Subcommittee, Tuesday, 1:00 pm, 3rd Floor

School District Flexibility: Finance Subcommittee, Tuesday, 1:30 pm, Rm 207 | Finance Committee, Tuesday, 3:00 pm, Rm 105

Fraud Hotline: Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, 3:00 pm, Rm 308

Senator Leatherman’s Federal Stimulus Resolution: Finance Committee, Tuesday, 3:00 pm, Rm 105

Mandatory Furloughs for State Agencies: Finance Committee, Tuesday, 3:00 pm, Rm 105

Spending Caps / Budget Stabilization: Finance Committee, Tuesday, 3:00 pm, Rm 105

Landfill Moratorium: Medical Affairs Committee, Tuesday, 4:30 pm, Rm 207

ESC / Dept of Workforce: LCI Subcommittee, Wednesday, 10:00 am, Rm 308

Capital Police Force: Judiciary Subcommittee, Wednesday, 11:00 am, Rm 207

Abortion 24 Hour Waiting Period: Medical Affairs Subcommittee, Wednesday, 2:00 pm, Rm 308 | Medical Affairs Committee, Thursday, 10:00 am, Rm 308

Social Gaming: Judiciary Subcommittee, Wednesday, 2:30 pm, Rm 207

Card Check: LCI Subcommittee, Wednesday, 3:00 pm, Rm 209

Tattoo Age: Medical Affairs Committee, Thursday, 10:00 am, Rm 308

DDSN Restructuring: Medical Affairs Committee, Thursday, 10:00 am, Rm 308

DHEC Restructuring: Medical Affairs Committee, Thursday, 10:00 am, Rm 308

Children’s Dental: Medical Affairs Committee, Thursday, 10:00 am, Rm 308

On The Floor: Look for Senator Shane Massey’s earmark legislation on the floor tomorrow. Part of the Caucus Sunshine in South Carolina Package, this bill brings more transparency to state government spending.

Coming Next Week: The annual Fallen Soldiers Ceremony will take place next Wednesday. This year we will be honoring seven brave young men from South Carolina who sacrificed their lives while protecting and defending our country overseas. We strongly encourage you to attend. Click here for more details.

Also, next Monday and the following Monday, the Senate will hold public hearings on Senator McConnell’s social gambling bills.  Please click here for more details.

You can find this week’s entire schedule at http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/gresmeet.htm

If you have any more questions, please just shoot me an email at wesleydonehue@gmail.com.

Have a great day,

Wesle

Senator Glenn McConnell talks with Senators Kevin Bryant and Nikki Setzler about warrantless searches and comprehensive tax reform.

Move proves Senate’s commitment to transparency in state government

Columbia, SC – February 10, 2009 – On the heels of a monumental rules change mandating more roll call votes in the South Carolina Senate, the State Senate has taken another huge step toward transparency by passing Senator Shane Massey’s (R-Edgefield) earmark reform plan out of a key Finance Subcommittee.

Senator Massey’s reform package requires legislators to put their names on any spending requests they insert into the state budget. Currently a Senator can request a spending project under the cloak of anonymity. Massey’s plan shines the light of public scrutiny on state government spending.

“South Carolina’s State Senators see the wave of change sweeping across the state and nation. We know taxpayers are demanding reform, accountability, and transparency. This plan uncovers the secret spending projects that could balloon our state budget at the expense of essential services such as our education, transportation, and criminal justice systems,” Massey said.

In voting for the reform plan, Senator Glenn Reese (D-Spartanburg) said “South Carolina taxpayers deserve to know where their dollars are going. This bill is a major step forward for transparency in state government and it will ensure resources are spent wisely. We look forward to a quick passage in the Senate and in the House.”

The bill was voted out of subcommittee with a unanimous vote. Joining Senators Massey and Reese in support of the plan were Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee), Subcommittee Chairman Billy O’Dell (R-Abbeville), Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville), and Senator Dick Elliot (D-Horry).

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Fast Movement Shows Senate’s Commitment to Port Stability

Columbia, SC – February 3, 2009 – A plan to bring significant reform to the State Ports Authority passed a key legislative committee today. S.351, the State Ports Authority Restructuring Act, moved through the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday, receiving a significant majority vote.  The bill now heads to the full Senate.

Sponsored by Transportation Committee Chairman Larry Grooms and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell, the plan ensures more accountability from the State Ports Authority (SPA), creates additional oversight and restructures the SPA’s governance, management, and planning structure. Senator Grooms says “the plan creates the level of stability that world-class businesses expect from a world-class port.”

“The South Carolina Senate realizes that we need to run the SPA more like a business with the strictest accountability, stability, and transparency,” Grooms said. “This restructuring bill ensures that we have a long-term strategic plan to create jobs for South Carolina.”

The restructuring plan:

• Demands stability and strong management.

• Emphasizes long-range and strategic planning, oversight, accountability, and transparency.

• Increases stability by ensuring that Board members can only be removed with just cause.

• Ensures that Board members have experience relevant to the Port’s mission. The plan sets all duties and qualifications for the Board members and the Executive Director.

• Creates an Advisory & Oversight Board to assist in developing a long-term policy for Port success. The Advisory & Oversight Board will carry out oversight duties and provide annual reports to the General Assembly.

• Requires the SPA to create a twenty-year strategic plan, which must be reviewed by the General Assembly.

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Senator McConnell on the Teacher Protect Act

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