I’m hoping several of you may be interested (or will share this information with your neighbor)!

This is an important committee and I am currently accepting resumes and letters of interest from anyone living in our community (House District 71). Please mail your resume/letter of interest to my home address before August 21. 1108 Belfair Way, Irmo, SC 29063

Re: Membership, Richland County Transportation Committee

Each member of the County Transporation Committee (CTC) is appointed by the Representative from each district in Richland County, with consent of the Senator of that House District, for the purpose of deciding allocation of C-funds for local road improvement projects. C-funds are used for the improvement of state and county roads, city streets and other local transportation projects. The Richland County Transportation Committee’s responsibilities include the formation of a county plan as well as the approval and use of C-funds.

The CTC meets on a regular basis, bi-monthly, six times a year. During these meetings, actions must be taken on project requests by eligible entities, using the criteria outlined for selection.

The committee consists of 11 members.

Get ready.

Over the next several months, it’s a safe bet we’ll see the 2010 Gubernatorial Candidates work to see who can drop the word “jobs” into the most stump speeches, mail pieces and TV spots.

That’s actually a good thing because with our state presently ranked 4th in the country’s unemployment rankings, we better be talking about jobs.

The question is HOW do we attract more jobs to our state?

Many have been taking shots at the amount of time our current Governor has spent on economic development. Several folks have also taken shots at the state’s Commerce Department. While some responsibility lies in those two areas, one could argue that’s similar to taking shots at Vanderbilt’s Bobby Johnson (SC native) for not landing top-notch recruits that inevitably choose to attend other schools.

Sometimes, no matter how hard you work, there are things outside your control that limit your success. And if there’s one thing the past few months has shown, it’s that the SC General Assembly is in much control of how the state fares (good or bad).

With that in mind, my question is WHAT are the things that are limiting successful economic growth? What are things the General Assembly can do to “bring in jobs”?

As someone not afraid to say what’s on my mind (and others), I’ll throw two things out there tonight for discussion. Two things I hear from folks across our state as well as right here in our community.

First, “the Flag”. (Yes, I went there). For many in our state, the only thing more “taboo” than the flag in SC politics is school choice…and, yes, I’m going there next. So, if you haven’t thrown something at your computer yet, keep reading and maybe you can help me and our state figure this out.

Do you feel “the flag” is holding our state back? Do we know of any companies that chose to locate elsewhere because of this particular issue? Recently, we know of missed opportunities with future ACC baseball tournaments. While I wouldn’t call that economic development, it does mean lost revenue, tourism and promotion of our great state. How many other events have we missed? How many companies have chosen another state for their business because of this? If we have sufficient data to show this is hurting our state in ways we may not know; or maybe if we had sufficient commitments from companies willing to expand in our state should the climate change, we might should look into this. Would you agree?

Our perpetual low rankings in education can’t be helping either can they?

Staying with the Bobby Johnson analogy above, at least he can recruit with “your son will get an education to last a lifetime.” He has that as an asset. Does our state have the same to offer businesses looking to expand here?

No matter whom you ask, our education rankings are near bottom in the country. Surely there’s something we can do to lift this stigma and surely any lift could help economic development, couldn’t it?

In the Palmetto State the word “choice” comes in all shapes and sizes. For many in our state it means “ vouchers and tax credits only “; to others it means “ public school choice only “. Either way, nothing is getting done on either front in the General Assembly. Does this inaction mean we are satisfied with where we are as a state and do not want to do anything differently? Does it mean we can’t compromise and work together? What are your thoughts?

Tell me.

Could those two items have a direct impact on jobs in our state? If so, could Republicans/Democrats come together and address “the flag” (again) and also “school choice” (finally)? It would make for strange bedfellows, wouldn’t it? But could both parties try something different? Something bi-partisan? Crazy idea, huh? If it would indeed help our state, why not?

But if those aren’t the answers, please share what is.

Certainly looking at our corporate tax structure (or eliminating the corporate tax and replacing with elimination of certain incentives) could provide a boost too? One organization says the Palmetto State could jump to #6 in “business friendly states” with such a move. But with the Tax Realignment Commission starting soon to look at “comprehensive tax reform”, it’s even more unlikely this could be addressed than the two other items above.

Whatever the answer is, we need to be looking for it – quickly. While the 2010 legislative session won’t start until January, it’s these next few months that gives officials a chance to build the consensus needed to move legislation, and our state, foward.

When I was first campaigned to become a State Representative for our community, I figured I should get a website to let folks know about me and my goals and how I felt a Representative ought to serve. Then about two years ago, I was talked into upgrading the site (thanks to Wes Donehue ) to what it is today – NathansNews - a better way to stay in touch with my constituents and to share what’s going on in Columbia.

Sometimes it gets me in trouble with my colleagues. Other times, it’s a chance for me to share my family with you. Lately, it’s become much more. While I certainly don’t get the hits of other blogs in our state , I supposedly get over 3,000 unique hits a month and this week most of those folks must have read my Sunday entry about the “down ticket races” in our state for 2010.

I had been hearing some recent buzz about Republicans wanting a formidable candidate to run for Superintendent of Education and I simply passed it along here on my site . Next thing you know, turns out several Republican leaders have turned up the intensity and my friend, Rep. Ted Pitts (R-Lexington), has literally been a wanted man this week.

State GOP Chairman Karen Floyd has spent countless hours in the past month on recruitment efforts for this office. As the party’s nominee for Education in 2006, Karen uniquely knows how challenging this race is for a Republican. Convincing a quality candidate like Ted Pitts to jump in this race would be a tremendous coup for her and for Republicans.

The effort to draft Pitts to run for Superintendent of Education is being organized by several GOP members of the House and the Senate and they are actively soliciting the help of Chairman Floyd. The question you gotta ask though is this: Do they want Ted to run for Education because Republicans need him (and his resume) in that office OR is it because getting him out of the Lt. Governor’s race would free up voter-rich Lexington County for one of the other Lt. Governor candidates to become the front-runner? Who would benefit most? Most likely ultra-conservative Bill Connor or freshman House Rep. Tim Scott (Charleston).

The people who know Ted the best know about Ted’s passion for education. Having spent time in a classroom, serving on the House Education Committee, and being the leader on many education bills that would help our state move forward, Ted knows what it will take to head our Education Department. Ted can “work well with others” and the guy truly cares about educating tomorrow’s leaders. I could vouch for Ted’s character, tenaciousness, and conservative credentials and he would be tough to beat in that race – or any.

So now the buzz is starting to get deafening.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see several Representatives, Senators and grassroots activists get behind a “Draft Ted” movement. It also doesn’t surprise me now to hear of other folks shifting gears and other names being floated about because it appears Republicans (often split in past years) may coalesce this year around one candidate to carry the banner for 2010 with Education. Whether that candidate is Ted or not, he’s sure to start any campaign with a sizeable portion of Republican voters backing him right here in Lexington County.

As suspected, much of the early focus on 2010 statewide races focuses on the “top of the ticket” (both parties). In a state with one of the country’s weakest executive offices and a #2 spot that (until the past few weeks) was merely thought of as the person who “runs” the Senate, why not focus on some of the other races?

Oh – that’s right. As of today, there aren’t any other races…yet.

In case you aren’t familiar with all (or any) of the “other”constitutional offices ,here’s the list after Governor and Lt. Governor: Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, Comptroller General, Superintendent of Education, Commissioner of Agriculture, Adjutant General. I have no idea of the “order” of “ranking” of those positions; I simply listed them as they appeared on SC.GOV’s website.

Of course, I’d have to think Superintendent of Education has got to be up near the top, shouldn’t it?

After all, shouldn’t our state be focused on educating tomorrow’s leaders and workforce?

I find it hard to believe that the Republicans could take a pass and not even field a candidate against incumbent Dr. Rex. But at this point, no challenger seems interested or focused on what we could do to improve education for all South Carolina’s children. Before I was demoted by House Leadership earlier this year , I regularly told colleagues that I didn’t feel education should have an R or a D behind it; but, in a heavily Republican leaning state, someone will run for the post, won’t they? I keep hearing folks are working behind the scenes to get Representative Ted Pitts (R-Lexington) to consider switching gears and running for the post instead of the state’s #2 spot. This seems to make sense for several reasons. One, Ted’s actually spent time in the classroom. Two, until House Leadership stepped in to recruit and anoint a Chairman, Ted was in the running to be that Chairman (House Education Committee) last session. Three, he’s been front and center on several educational issues – including being the lead sponsor of Rex’s school-choice bill .

Oh..and also the fact that currently there is no one strong enough to carry the Republican banner for this position.

There has been talk that freshman Representative Tim Scott (R-Charleston) was considering Education but his resume might not be best suited for that position which many believe requires some seasoning in office. He appears to also have his eyes on the #2 spot . With what appears to be a four-man field already for SC2 ( Bill Connor and Ken Ard have already announced), it wouldn’t surprise me to see one of these current candidates start to give serious consideration to what several in the state see as a more significant role for our state than Lt. Governor. (There’s even still speculation that former candidate Mike Campbell and former State Representative Ralph Norman might announce for SC 2. So that could be six in that race and none in Education for the Republicans)

What about the other “down ticket” races?

Secretary of State? Treasurer? While there are always folks out there badmouthing the current office holders, it seems – at least for now – that there may be no challengers for the incumbents. At least in a primary. I just don’t see the Democrats passing on some of these down ticket races in hopes of possibly driving up votes needed for the top of the ticket.

It’s surprising that no wants the Treasurer role. (Heck, I even briefly considered it when the future of then-Treasurer Thomas Ravenel was unknown). Something many in our state don’t know is that the Treasurer holds one of the five seats on the Budget and Control Board. Looking back on recent history, this position has been a very important swing vote on a Board that is very significant to the way our state operates. With the Governor and Comptroller General usually voting together, and with Senator Leatherman and Representative Dan Cooper usually voting together; the Treasurer has been the “swing vote”. Under Thomas Ravenel, it was 3-2 for the former (usually). Now, it’s 2-3 for the latter (almost always).

Attorney General? Assuming the inevitable announcement of current AG Henry McMaster running for Governor, it looks like Alan Wilson (son of US Congressman Joe Wilson) is ready to make a run. Last night, on twitter, I saw someone provide this link to a website ready to go live at anytime. With current statewide candidates Representatives Nikki Haley , Ted Pitts and Congressman Wilson all on the ballot next year, adding another Lexington candidate will surely mean voter turnout will be huge in Lexington – one of the largest Republican voting blocks in our state.

Comptroller General? In my opinion, Richard Eckstrom has done an outstanding job opening up the books on government spending at several levels. I’ve heard of no challenger to him and would be surprised to see one in a primary.

Commission of Agriculture? Adjutant General? Your guess is as good as mine. I haven’t heard of any problems with the way each office is run. The only question I hear is whether General Spears will retire or whether he’ll seek another term.

Remember, it’s still early (primaries aren’t til June 2010) and you’ll probably hear folks test the waters or change their minds a couple of times over the next several months.

Sorry for the infrequent posts and the delay June/July Community Update .

This year, the Ballentines’ summer vacation (thanks to both sets of grandparents ) came in back-to-back weeks.

After a week at the lake , we’re off to DisneyWorld !

Even though we’re out of session until January, there will be plenty for me to write about over the next several weeks.

Be back soon!