The Weekly Rewind
January 28, 2010 | Leave a Comment
January 26 – January 28
We’re seeing more floor debate in Week Three but really very little “major legislation” has passed at this point.
Wednesday is when the first real attempt at reforming our constitutional offices had a chance. But by ONE vote, the bill that would allow SC voters to decide to continue to elect the Secretary of State or have the position appointed by the Governor, failed. I was glad to see most of the Spartanburg delegation put the state’s interests above local self-interests when some voted to support the measure. You see, the current Secretary of State is from Spartanburg and you can see the politics of “protecting your own” that could override other criteria. Even with some of their votes, we fell one vote short . We will try again later this year (another bill or an amendment to a germane bill later). If we cannot pass this reform bill for this position, I don’t see how we will pass similar legislation for
Thursday saw our first Cloture Motion this year surrounding S.424 (10th amendment). A cloture motion limits debate. This means there can be no more amendments placed on the desk after the motion is made and debate is limited to only 3 minutes FOR and 3 minutes AGAINST each amendment. Then when the amendments are finished there is only 1 hour of debate FOR and 1 hour of debate AGAINST the final bill. After the amendments today though, we adjourned debate until next week. Why? Well, Thursdays are usually very brief to allow for members to travel home to their “paying jobs” and family.
Earlier today something happened that normally would go unnoticed to most; but it sets up something that may lead to un-precedented action next week on local legislation dealing with the Fairfield County School Board . Long story short, two LOCAL bills (H.4431 and 4432) were “24 hour ruled” (meaning a member postponed debate for 24 hours after the bill was printed on the calendar). Why is that interesting? Well, customary practice in the House and Senate is for members to stay out of local issues with other members’ constituents/counties. One Senator and one House member filed legislation dealing with a local school board issue and usually they would be the only ones to vote . While some would say those members should not interfere with school board matters and instead focus on state issues, it will be more interesting to see if members (outside Fairfield County) actually vote on the LOCAL bill or let these members pass what they feel is best for their constituents. Stay tuned…
Today, I also filed another piece of legislation that I feel can help improve education in our state. We’ve heard alot in the past about tax credits for private school or school-choice for private and public school. Why not a tax credit for parents to assist in the tutoring of their children? H.4449 would allow families (of 4 making <$60,000) to claim a refundable tax credit up to $2,000 for the tutoring of their student. Most tutors are public school teachers and most in the state support public education. I think this would be a good start and could even help assist in the discussion of greater choice issues in our state.
While we often wear our partisan jerseys in Columbia, I do want to share how we managed to work together for some good this week. The House members/staff pitched in over $1,000 for Zach Pippin (page) for his trip to Haiti next month. Please keep Zach in your thoughts and prayers and wish him a safe return.
This week I again spent time with several constituents in my office and State House lobby – including my cousin, Allyson Clarke. Allyson’s mom, Jane, and my mom are sisters. You may recall that my aunt Jane died in a car accident a few years ago and I have named one of the Ballentine Scholarships in her memory. Allyson came with other students in the Nurse Anesthetists program at USC. Constituent Wanda Walker (a CRNA for years) led the group to my office in 320B Blatt Building. I introduced Michael Hunter (who is running for Citadel Board of Visitors) to several colleagues Tuesday…spoke briefly with state employees Robbie DeFreese, Sharon Ford, Rosalind Funk and had breakfast with John Seydlitz from Victory Bible Christian School . I also was VERY impressed meeting Dutch Fork High School freshman, Alex Brunson, who shared his concerns about cell phone use while driving. Thank you to Padgett Lewis and Ben Thompson for stopping by the office with issues important to them and also to Irmo High School junior, Ben Thomas, for choosing to shadow me one morning. Of course, I always enjoy seeing Bureau of Protective Service officers Andy Schmidt and Jennifer Aycock almost every day walking to the House Chamber.
As you can see, representing Richland and Lexington Counties allows me to see several constituents every week in Columbia. I appreciate y’all taking time out of your busy days to come visit and share your advice and concerns for state and local issues.
The Weekly Rewind
January 21, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Tuesday, January 19 – Thursday, January 21
Again, not much work on the floor this week as the calendar lists mostly “carryover” bills from last year. Most the work again this week was done in committees and subcommittees.
When we began at noon on Tuesday, all 170 members were allowed to pledge their support in this year’s judicial races . I wrote about that earlier this week and unfortunately most report that one of our own community members, Latonya Edwards, has withdrawn from the race in the Adminstrative Law Court.
Tuesday afternoon, I attended the full House Judiciary Committee in hopes I would see my Campaign Finance Reform Bill pass and head to the House floor for debate. Unfortunately, the committee adjourned debate (again); but I am confident that in two weeks they will pass the bill. Then I will work for passage on the full House floor and hopefully fast consideration in the Senate so that we can have these financial disclsoure reforms in place before we leave this summer.
Wednesday saw floor debate mainly over two “local bills” that were desinged to provide local property-tax relief to a few counties through a local sales-tax increase. Both bills (one for a new increase in Beaufort and the other just to speed up the local relief from a bill passed last year) passed and now head to the Senate.
That evening the state (and the nation) saw what I feel is a “changed man” deliver his final State of the State address . Governor Mark Sanford really went out of the way to publicly recognize “friends and foes” alike during his speech and outline a scaled down agenda; but one that is still vital to changing the way we do business in South Carolina.
On Wednesday, I was also pleased to see one of our constituents visiting the State House, Michael Hunter.
Thursday is usually our shortest day and is the day designated for the “congratulatory introductions” of state champions on the House floor. I was able to file two bills (H.4402 and H.4403) that will reform how we appoint our Employment Security Commissioners (banning the appointment of a sitting House/Senate member until four years after they leave office) and banning campaign contributions by individuals whom the General Assembly appoints to Board and Commissions (incumbent board members and candidates running for those offices). Those bills are just a few of the many recently filed reform measures that are starting to get some traction inside the chamber.
Locally, Senate Bill 963 passed today which wil help alleviate the long lines at voting precincts in Lexington County. You will soon be notified of your new voting location. Last session, we approved similar measures which helped Richland County. Particularly in our community here in Irmo, Chapin, Ballentine, Harbison, Dutch Fork.
We’ll be back next week and are moving towards the full floor debate on this year’s budget. As you may know, I do not currently serve on the Ways and Means Committee; but next session I would be able to be appointed after clearing one of the “unwritten criteria” used to appoint members – minimum of at least six years in office.
Reform wasn’t built in a day
January 21, 2010 | 1 Comment
Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you I have ZERO patience.
It’s one of my faults and I’m not really sure if I’m any better after five years in public service than I was before I began. What I do know is that change does indeed take time…persistence, teamwork and backbone.
With recent announcements in our state and after listening to the Governor’s State of the State address last night, I believe this 2010 legislative session could see several more reforms to the customary “business as usual” way of SC politics.
How did we get to this point? I can only speak of what I’ve seen and worked toward in my time in office.
Nathan’s News readers know that in October 2008, I filed a Campaign Finance Disclosure Reform Bill that finally appears on the verge of passing the full House Judiciary Committee. That bill was just one of several bills designed to provide more transparency and restore confidence in the political system here in South Carolina.
That bill hasn’t seen near the resistance of an earlier reform bill that quite simply “shook the State House” months earlier. You may recall after a “voice vote” for a Legislative Cost-of-Living adjustment passed, Representative Nikki Haley (R-Lexington) saw a serious problem that had to be fixed.
Two summers ago, I joined her in an important fight to really change business in Columbia through a common-sense approach of more accountability with On-The-Record Voting . Taking personal losses , we worked to improve the abysmal number of recorded votes through a house rule change and are hopeful this year the bill can finally become law. To my surprise, when the House Republican Caucus revealed our agenda, this item was listed as finished business from last year (last page, last item) .
While these are two of the most recent reforms to see the light of day, they weren’t the first and hopefully will not be the last.
Today, I read that the House Democratic Caucus included these ideas in their 2010 Agenda and we (reformers) welcome any and all support to continue a movement that began years ago when a few reformers decided to make a difference.
InDecember 2007, I shared with our caucus the need to clean up “hidden earmarks” that were bloating our state budgets and oftentimes no one but a handful of individuals knew what money was going where and for what. Unlike On-The-Record Voting and Campaign Finance Disclosure Reform bills, earmark reform passed quickly in session with no resistance.
The number of like-minded reformers has slowly increased and has enabled legislation to get to this point. There is now a larger nucleus than ever in Columbia trying to change years of “status quo”. While some are new to the cause, others have been here for awhile. Some lone-wolfs before I was even elected.
This year’s session has quickly seen several more reform bills filed that will help shed more light on SC politics and change the “status quo” that has had a grip for too long in Columbia. Once these changes become law, it will allow us to begin to put politics aside and put the people of South Carolina first.
A few bills I’d like to bring to your attention are listed below. If you find one (or more) of interest to you, please ask your representative to co-sponsor the bill and also please contact the committee that will debate the bill to see those members position. Bills are listed from most recently filed to those that were filed last year but not yet passed.
H.4402 I filed this today to change how we can currently elect one of our sitting members to the Employment Security Commission. The bill would mirror the restriction in place for the Public Service Commission and place a “four year window” after service in the General Assembly before you could be appointed. If you don’t know it already, these spots are $100,000+ salary and are considered the “plum retirement spot” for General Assembly members (those that don’t aspire to be judges when they retire).
H.4403 I filed this today to ban any Board or Commission member that we appoint/elect from giving campaign contributions to members. Also it will ban candidates from contributions to members within one year of running for one of those coveted spots.
H.4386 Term Limits for University/College Board of Trustees
Thompson, H.B. Brown and Merrill
H.4385 Revision to structure of USC Board of Trustees
Thompson, Simrill, Spires, Frye, Bingham, Merrill, G.M. Smith, Kirsh and Hiott
H.4348 Transparency at Committee/Subcommittee levels: minutes, votes,etc.
Gunn, Ballentine, Haley, Hart, Millwood, Parker, Allison and T.R. Young
H.4275 Term Limits for House/Senate
Haley and Wylie
(Similar bill H.3877 Scott, E.H. Pitts, Huggins, Toole, Crawford, Daning, Hardwick, Hearn and Lowe)
(Similar bill H.3213 Ballentine, Haley and E.H. Pitts)
H.4271 Spending Accountability in Government Act: bans members/members families from state contracts and requires personal income disclosure
Haley and Gunn
H.4251 Quicker hearings for bills with support of 60 cosponsors
Wylie, Gunn, Ballentine and T.R. Young
H.4247 Revis Education Finance Act (funding)
Merrill and Wylie
H.4232 Taxpayer Protection Act: places spending caps on budget
Haley and T.R. Young
H.4227 Abolish Commission on Higher Education
Merrill
H.4182 Term Limit Lt. Governor
Scott, Kirsh, G.M. Smith, Ballentine and T.R. Young
H.4153 Lobbyist filing, Ethics fines, etc
T.R. Young
H.4119 Reform to the Judicial Selection Merit Commission
Gunn, Stringer, Ballentine and Millwood
H.4108 Allow Public Referrendum
Gunn and Ballentine
H.3833 Public Recall of Elected Officials
H.B. Brown, Bowen, Huggins, Brantley, Mitchell, Parker, Kennedy, King, Govan, Spires, Ballentine, Williams, Bedingfield, McEachern, J.E. Smith, Rutherford, J.M. Neal, Hamilton, Toole, R.L. Brown, Alexander, Allen, Allison, Anderson, Anthony, Bales, Barfield, Battle, Bowers,
Brady, Branham, G.A. Brown, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Crawford, Daning, Dillard, Duncan, Edge, Forrester, Frye, Funderburk, Gilliard, Gullick, Gunn, Hardwick, Hart, Harvin, Hayes, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Hutto, Jennings, Kelly, Kirsh, Knight, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Long, Lowe, Mack, McLeod, Miller, D.C. Moss, Nanney, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Pinson, M.A. Pitts, Scott, Sellers, D.C. Smith, J.R. Smith, Sottile, Stringer, Thompson, Vick, Weeks, Whitmire, Willis, Wylie, A.D. Young and T.R. Young
H.3640 SC Fiscal Accountability Act: zero-based budgeting
Haley, Merrill, D.C. Smith, Bingham, Stringer, Erickson, G.M. Smith, Duncan, Thompson, Millwood, Toole, Frye, Ballentine, Edge, Hamilton, Herbkersman, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Wylie, T.R. Young and Cole
H.3558 Increase General Reserve Fund
Thompson and Simrill
H.3533 Improved Budgeting (based off lesser of last year’s revenue or percentage of BEA estimate)
Thompson, J.E. Smith, Ballentine, Haley, E.H. Pitts and Simrill
H.3434 Establish Office of Inspector General
Funderburk, J.E. Smith, McLeod, Anderson, Ballentine, G.A. Brown, Clyburn, Jefferson, Kirsh, Williams, Gunn, Horne, G.R. Smith, Sottile, Long, King, Daning, Cole, Hutto, Hearn, Forrester, Allison, Parker,Gilliard, T.R. Young, Millwood, Stringer, Hamilton, Wylie, Scott, Willis, H.B. Brown, Crawford, Erickson, Herbkersman, Nanney, Dillard, Bannister and
McEachern
H.3379 Governor/Lt.Governor on same ticket
Scott, Ballentine, Chalk, Erickson, Hamilton,Harrell, Long, Nanney, Parker, G.R. Smith, Sottile, Willis and T.R. Young
H.3346 Term Limits Speaker and Speaker ProTempore of House
Merrill
H.3280 Allows state to vote on whether to have Superintendent of Education appointed position
T.R. Young, Allison, Parker, D.C. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.R. Smith, Stewart, Millwood, Horne, Funderburk, Wylie, Bedingfield, Hart,Harrell, A.D. Young, Viers, Gunn and Erickson
(Similar bills H. 3279, 3278, H.3277, H.3276, H.3275….other current constitutional officers)
H.3239 Term Limits House Committee Chairmen
Merrill
H.3057 Ban Taxpayer Funded Lobbyists
By Merrill, Wylie, G.M. Smith, Bingham, Umphlett, Hamilton, Toole and Millwood
To contact your Representative and ask where he/she stands on any of these bills (or others of interest to you), visit www.scstatehouse.net and click under “House Bios”.
Electing South Carolina judges
January 19, 2010 | 3 Comments
Today at noon all 170 members of the SC General Assembly could pledge our support to candidates in the upcoming judicial elections that will be held in a Joint Assembly in a few weeks.
If you’re not familiar with the process, well…it pretty much looks like the photo above. While I believe the law says you cannot “horse trade”, trust me…a lot of that goes on.
I’m not sure of what the “best” way to elect our judges is; but I’ve heard that what we do is actually “better” than states who have general elections.
Most citizens could care less about the process (especially with our state’s unemployment at historical highs) but if you’re interested in the state’s judiciary, here’s where you can go to find more:
What is the Judicial Merit Selection Commission?
What do we know about these judges during their screenings? Click on Report of Candidate Qualifcations halfway down this page (Warning: HUNDREDS of pages in download).
As you can see in those links, the committee puts a lot of time into the screening process and unfortunately (in my opinion) sometimes the outcome of the elections can boil down to things outside of “qualifications”.
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if I always vote for the “most qualified”. Even reveiwing the screening reports doesn’t help officials most times.
What criteria goes into determing votes? Well, I wouldn’t speak for all 170 members but I do know of a varitey of criteria based on my five years in office…in no particular order.
* Qualifications: Obviously this should be the priority.
* Who’s “turn” is it? Most folks rarely win on their first attempt. Sometimes a candidate’s position is bolstered “next time” if they “withdrew” to clear the way for another candidate in a previous election last year or years earlier. Or…some judicial districts cover multiple counties…is it “County X’s” turn to have the seat or “County Y’s”?
* Who’s from what area? Obviously, most officials will support their constituent(s) or candidates from their county.
* Who has the backing of whom? Believe it or not, officials receive several phone calls from candidate’s friends. Friends that just happen to live in the official’s voting district or maybe work at the same company as the official. Or,….what certain elected leaders are backing certain candidates? Some officials may want to curry favor with that leader/group by supporting his/her candidate?
* What might a vote mean to the official giving it? The proverbial “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”
If you’re intersted, below are the individuals the Judicial Merit Selection Commission found QUALIFIED AND NOMINATED. Your next group of judges will come from this list.
SUPREME COURT
Seat 5 The Honorable Donald W. Beatty, Spartanburg, S.C.
COURT OF APPEALS (Chief Judge)
Seat 5 The Honorable John Cannon Few, Greenville, S.C.
Seat 5 The Honorable Daniel F. Pieper, Hanahan, S.C.
Seat 5 The Honorable Paul E. Short, Jr., Chester, S.C.
CIRCUIT COURT
First Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 The Honorable Diane Schafer Goodstein, Summerville, S.C.
Second Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Doyet A. “Jack” Early, III, Bamberg, S.C.
Third Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Ralph Ferrell Cothran, Jr., Manning, S.C.
Fourth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Paul M. Burch, Pageland, S.C.
Sixth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Brooks P. Goldsmith, Lancaster, S.C.
Eighth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Frank Robert Addy, Jr., Greenwood, S.C.
Eighth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Donald Bruce Hocker, Laurens, S.C.
Eighth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 Joseph C. Smithdeal, Greenwood, S.C.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable George Edward Welmaker, Easley, S.C.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 4 The Honorable David Garrison Hill, Greenville, S.C.
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Steven H. John, Little River, S.C.
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable John Calvin Hayes, III, Rock Hill, S.C.
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 The Honorable Lee S. Alford, York, S.C.
At-Large, Seat 8 David Craig Brown, Florence, S.C.
At-Large, Seat 8 Samuel Richardson Hubbard, III, Lexington, S.C.
At-Large, Seat 8 The Honorable Maité Murphy, Summerville, S.C.
FAMILY COURT
First Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 The Honorable William J. Wylie, Jr., Summerville, S.C.
First Judicial Circuit, Seat 3 The Honorable Nancy Chapman McLin, Summerville, S.C.
Second Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 Dennis M. Gmerek, Ridge Spring, S.C.
Second Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 Vicki Johnson Snelgrove, Aiken, S.C.
Third Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable George Marion McFaddin, Jr., Gable, S.C.
Fourth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Roger E. Henderson, Chesterfield, S.C.
Fifth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Dorothy Mobley Jones, Columbia, S.C.
Fifth Judicial Circuit, Seat 4 The Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, Columbia, S.C.
Fifth Judicial Circuit, Seat 4 Stevens B. Elliott, Columbia, S.C.
Fifth Judicial Circuit, Seat 4 Gwendlyne Young Smalls, Columbia, S.C.
Seventh Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 Phillip K. Sinclair, Spartanburg, S.C.
Seventh Judicial Circuit, Seat 3 The Honorable Usha J. Bridges, Gaffney, S.C.
Eighth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 The Honorable John M. Rucker, Newberry, S.C.
Ninth Judicial Circuit, Seat 3 The Honorable Judy L. McMahon, Charleston, S.C.
Ninth Judicial Circuit, Seat 6 The Honorable Jack Alan Landis, Moncks Corner, S.C.
Tenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 The Honorable Timothy Martin Cain, Walhalla, S.C.
Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Kellum Wright Allen, West Columbia, S.C.
Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Seat 3 The Honorable Jerry Deese Vinson, Jr., Florence, S.C.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 Catherine Carr Christophillis, Greenville, S.C.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 Harry L. “Don” Phillips, Jr., Greenville, S.C.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 William Marsh Robertson, Greenville, S.C.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 4 The Honorable Alvin D. Johnson, Pickens, S.C.
Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 The Honorable Peter Leach Fuge, Bluffton, S.C.
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 The Honorable Lisa Allen Kinon, Conway, S.C.
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 1 The Honorable Robert E. Guess, Union, S.C.
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 The Honorable David Glenn Guyton, Rock Hill, S.C.
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 Tony Miller Jones, Rock Hill, S.C.
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Seat 2 Angela M. Killian, York, S.C.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT
Seat 3 The Honorable Carolyn Cason Matthews, Columbia, S.C.
Seat 6 LaTonya Dilligard Edwards, Irmo, S.C.
Seat 6 Sebastian Phillip Lenski, Columbia, S.C.
Seat 6 Lee W. Zimmerman, Columbia, S.C.
The Weekly Rewind
January 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Tuesday, January 12 – Thursday, January 14
Tuesday, the 2nd session of the 118th General Assembly reconvened fo what is expected to be one of THE toughest years ever…and an election year for all 124 House members.
Ralph Norman (R – York) was sworn into office to fulfill the unexpired term of Carl Gullick. You may recall, Ralph previously served in the House 2005-2006 before leaving to run for US Congress. Representative Norman was assigned to the Education and Public Works committee.
Very little work was done in chamber but we did set H.4219 (Censure Resolution) for Special Order the following day.
Wednesday provided little drama when, in 20 minutes, the House overwhelmingly (and historically) censured Governor Mark Sanford by a vote of 102-11.
We also had Second Reading on H.3279 which would allow SC voters to decide whether or not the Secretary of State should be an appointed position by the Governor. With a vote of 77-41 the bill moved to Third Reading the following day but failed short of the 2/3 vote of the body (124 members in the body) to pass. This is one of several Restructuring Bills we will consider this year.
Also Wednesday, Representative Huggins , McLeod and I also filed H.4314 and H.4315 (resolutions recognizing the Chapin High School State Champion Cheerleading squad) and, as previously mentioned here on Nathan’s News, I also co-sponsored H. 4251, H. 4108, and H.4269 .
Thursday, H.3279 still did not receive the required votes to pass (72-38) but procedural moves were done to allow reconsideration when we return next week. We then began debate on H.3280 but adjourned until Tuesday. H.3280 is another Restructuring Bill that would allow SC voters to decide whether or not the Superintendent of Education would be appointed by the Governor.
One piece of legislation, H.4303 did pass the House on a vote of 112-1. This Joint Resolution allows for immediate action to assist in the restructuring of the Employment Security Commission . We expect to pass more reforms in legislation later this session but the resolution is a good start to immediately start “fixing the problems”.
While we may not have spent much time in chamber, there were several committee and sub-committee meetings throughout the Blatt Building this week.
I want to again thank the following constituents who stopped by my office this week: Latonya Edwards, Ralph Bell and Ben Thompson. Seeing members of our community and listening to their concerns, suggestions and desires for our state is what I love most about this job.
Before I left for the week, I was able to record a new video for the website which touches briefly on the Republican agenda for 2010 . As I mention in the video, I’m pleased to see that this year my Campaign Finance Disclosure bill is supported by the caucus after garnering several bi-partisan sponsors last year. I expect passage by February.
That’s a very brief recap of some of the activites this week in the SC House of Representatives. Come back often and I’ll try to continually keep you informed!
Of course, please comment or contact me here with any ideas, advice or suggestions you have to improve our state!
2010 Session Begins
January 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Eat Mor Chikin
January 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Much is made of the many receptions/events that are held during each legislative session. Most people envision some swanky, wine-and-dine sort of event every night in town when the General Assembly is in town. While that could be the case in some instances, all of these below are either breakfasts/lunches on the State House grounds or receptions later in the evening within a few blocks of the State House. Usually about half the House/Senate drop-by and sometimes only for a few minutes.
But in case you were wondering…here’s over 90 events that are already on the calendar. Keep in mind this list does not include the Committee Dinners which are generally a little more wine-and-dine than the events listed below. If no location is listed, the event is in the Blatt Building, Room 112, or on the State House grounds.
January 12: SC BIPEC reception (Marriot), SC Bankers Association reception (Marriot)
January 13: SC Children’s Hospital Collaborative breakfast , SC Realtors Association luncheon
January 14: SC Broadcasters Association breakfast
January 19: SC Telecommunications Association reception (Columbia Museum of Art),Amercian Council of Engeineering Companies of SC, Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engieneers-SC Section reception (Clarion)
January 20: SC High School League breakfast, SC Consortium for Gifted Education luncheon, Women Honor Valor luncheon (Convention Center)
January 21: SC Foundation for the Commission of the Blind breakfast
January 26: SC Departement of Commerce Industry Appreciation Week (reception), SC Economic Developers Association reception (Palmetto Club), SC Technical College Commissioners reception (Clarion)
January 27: SC Association of Nurse Anesthetists breakfast, SC Baptist Convention lunch, National Federation of the Blind lunch, SC Chamber of Commerce reception (Marriott), Clarion Hotel reception (Clarion)
January 28: SC Association of Christian Schools breakfast, SC Department of Commercce: Industry Appreciate Week breakfast (Clarion)
February 2: SC Arts Advocacy Day luncheon (Capital City Club), SC Funeral Directors Association reception (Palmetto Club), Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina reception (Convention Center)
February 3: Piedmont Natural Gas breakfast, Carolina Recycling Association luncehon, Carolinas AGC reception (Koger Center)
February 4: Association of Cosmetology Salon Profesionals breakfast
February 16: York County Day reception (Clarion), The Hilton Columbia Center reception (Hilton)
February 17: SC Prayer Fellowship breakfast (Radisson), SC Assisted Living Federation of America breakfast, SC Athletic Trainers’ Association luncheon, Palmetto Affordable Housing Forum reception (Convention Center), Municipal Association of SC reception (Marriott), Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce reception (TBD), SC Credit Union League reception (Clarion)
February 23: SC Association of Conservation Districts reception (Seawell’s), College of Charleston reception (Clarion)
February 24: SC Association of School Administrators breakfast, One Voice/One Plan Nursing Initiative luncheon, SC Association of Counties receptions (Embassy Suites)
February 25: SC Nursery and Lanscaping Association breakfast, SC Relators reception (Convention Center), SC Centers of Economic Excellence, Health Science South Carolina and SC Research Authority reception (Hilton)
March 3: SC Aviation Association breakfast, SC Public Defender Association luncheon, ALEC reception (Clarion), SC Governor’s School: Annual Townes Dinner reception (Marriott)
March 4: Behavioral Health Services Association breakfast
March 16: SC Concrete and Pavement Association reception (TBD)
March 17: Donate Life South Carolina breakfast, SC SChool Nutrition Association luncheon, SC Hemophilia Foundation luncheon, SC Hospital Association reception (701 Whaley)
March 18: The South Carolina Education Association breakfasat
March 23: State Farm luncheon, Florence County Day reception (Columbia Museum of Art)
March 24: SC Apartment Association luncheon, SC State Firefighters’ Association luncheon, SC Homebuilders Association 40th Annual Bird Supper reception (Marriott)
March 25: SC Governor’s School breakfast
April 13: SC Association of Municipal Power Systems reception (Clarion)
April 14: Multiple Sclerosis Society breakfast, SC Association of Non Profits luncheon
April 15: SC Dental Association breakfast
April 20: Citadel Alumni Association Barbeque reception (Cantey Building)
April 21: Children’s Turst Fund of SC breakfast (Marriott), The Hospitality Association of SC: “A Taste of SC” luncheon, SC Junior Golf Foundation reception (Blue Marlin)
April 22: Association of SC Life Insurance Companies breakfast
April 27: Darlington Raceway Day luncheon (TBD), South Carolina Beer Wholesalers Association reception (1114 College Street)
April 28: SC Home Educators’ Association breakfast, SC Health Solutions luncheon, SC Association of CPA’s luncheon
April 29: SC Heating and Air Contractors Association breakfast
May 4: 7th Annual Conservation Lobby Day Oyster Roast reception (701 Whaley)
May 5: SC Primary Healthcare Association breakfast, Associated Marine Institutes of SC luncheon, Palmetto Agriculture & Food Industry Council “SC: A Taste” luncheon
May 6: SC Vocational Rehabilitation Association breakfast
May 11: Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC: Annual Legislative Softall Game (Capital City Stadium)
May 12: Children Come First breakfast, Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School luncheon
May 13: SC HIV/AIDS Council breakfast
May 19: SC Forestry Association breakfast, South Carolina Health Information Management Association luncheon
May 20: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority breakfast
May 26: Project Faith breakfast, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority luncheon
May 27: SC Department of Archives and History breakfast
COMMUNITY UPDATE: January 2010
January 7, 2010 | 3 Comments
*** STATE HOUSE ***
Next Tuesday, January 12, I return for my sixth year as your State Representative in House District 71. I’ll join the other 123 members of the House as we finish the 2nd regular session of 118th South Carolina General Assembly.
With our state and people facing several challenges – primarily revenue shortfalls and record unemployment – it’s my hope that even during this “election year” we will make the tough decisions required and have the courage to look long-term instead of having the ballot-box mentality that often occurs every two years in the House.
It’s also my hope that we will work together to find solutions that will lead to job growth, improvement in the way we educate our children and restoring confidence in state government and state leaders.
*** YOUR MONEY ***
Obviously “the stimulus” and “government spending” are still is on the minds of several in the state and country. No need to rehash the debate here, but I believe most people in our state realize the stimulus was not the cure we were told it would be. And, as linked above, our state is in a dire position when the money-train stops.
While there are some that would disagree with this statement, I do not feel now is the time to raise your taxes and take more money from your pocket. I do not expect to see any tax increase this session except for maybe – maybe – the cigarette tax finally becoming law. That bill passed the House and is still in the Senate. Even if it passes that chamber, the Governor could again veto the bill.
Presently, the Tax Realignment Commission is reviewing the tax system in our state and will hopefully have recommendations for us to consider early this year. I believe we should expect to see some exemptions removed – unless politicians fear doing so would be viewed by the public as “tax increases” by some voters. That’s a shame. If we can’t eliminate some of the several tax exemptions during these times, we will never be able to do so. Critics will call it what they will but there are several exemptions on our books that have outlived their usefulness.
*** COMMUNITY***
Irmo Chamber: January’s Membership Luncheon is Wednesday, January 13th at 11:30 at St. Andrews Presbyterian. For more information, call 749-9335.
Chapin Chamber: January Members’ Breakfast Meeting on Tuesday, January 19th at 7:30 a.m. at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church. The Speaker will be Darrell Scott, VP of Government Affairs for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Breakfast is $5 at the door. Please RSVP to 345-1100 or laura@chapinchamber.com
Richland County: Workshop for neighborhood leaders interested in applying for community improvement grants will be held January 28th. The hour long session starts at 6:30 p.m. at the county administration building on 2020 Hampton Street. Erica Hink, neighborhood coordinator, will explain what type of projects qualify for matching grants up to $1,500. Groups can match the awards with volunteer hours. Past projects have included National Night Out events, community entrance signs, self-defense classes, newsletters, traffic signs and recreational equipment. For more details, contact Erica Hink at 576-1340 or hinke@rcgov.us
Irmo Little League: Registration for Baseball and Softball starts Saturday January 9th and will be held every Saturday (9, 16, 23, 30) and Tuesdays (12, 19, 26) at Friarsgate Park inside the recreation center. Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm and Tuesdays 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. You must live in Richland/Lexington School District Five school district or in Lexington County to be eligible to play. Ages 5-15. Email irmolittleleague@bellsouth.net for more information.
This week we’ve had two member of our community appear on the evening news. Mike Andrews (owner , Bob Andrews Motors) spoke about taking proper care of your car during winter months while Noel Goodrich (Foxboro neighborhood) beat Mother Nature to the punch by bring snow to the area.
*** SCHOOLS ***
Later this month, our area high schools will receive information about the 2010 Ballentine Scholarships. These are available to any high school senior living in House District 71 (public, private, or homeschool) who plan to attend USC, Clemson, Winthrop, Columbia College or Midlands Tech. Recently, I heard from past recipients who updated me on what they have been doing since they received their scholarship. A very impressive group in many ways!
Forty teachers in Lexington-Richland Five recently earned the distinction of becoming National Board Certified Teachers, according to data released today by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. They join the 291 teachers in the district who previously received national certification, taking the district’s total to 331 – the fourth highest number in the state.
Teachers earning certification in 2009 include: Meredith Baker, Irmo Middle; Lynda Bergerson, Seven Oaks Elementary; Chad Boland, Dutch Fork High; Kailanya Brailey, Chapin Middle; Sheri Carpenter, Dutch Fork Middle; Ashley Davis, Irmo High; Amy Dickson, H. E. Corley Elementary; Erin Doty, Dutch Fork Middle; Jill Downs, Leaphart Elementary; Jessica Felker, Nursery Road Elementary; Matthew Gams, Chapin Elementary; Lindsay Head, Nursery Road Elementary; Jennifer Henry, Chapin High; Nicole Herring, Chapin Middle; Donald Holloman, Irmo High; Alice Howe, Dutch Fork Middle; Sara Kimberlin, Chapin High; Louis Landreneau, Dutch Fork High; Barry Lee, Irmo Middle; Gloria Lee, Dutch Fork Middle; Mary Lyerly, Dutch Fork High; Elizabeth Mantsch, Irmo Middle; Brandy McDonald, Harbison West Elementary; Angela Morvay, Irmo Elementary; Kinsi Near, Dutch Fork High; Jennifer Owens, Leaphart Elementary; Michelle Patterson, Chapin Middle; Melissa Phillips, Dutch Fork High; Carmen Plemmons, Lake Murray Elementary; Liesl Price, Irmo Elementary; Dana Riley, Chapin Elementary; Robert Schiesser, Nursery Road Elementary; Patrick Smallwood, Dutch Fork High; Kelly Still, Chapin Elementary; Beth Thompson, Ballentine Elementary; Scott Thur, Irmo Middle; Carl Tilson, Dutch Fork High; Susan Vaughn, CrossRoads Middle, Liz Wertz, Leaphart Elementary and Gene Williams, Irmo High.
Dutch Fork hires new AD/Football Coach: For the first time since the school opened, Dutch Fork will welcome a new face to lead the athletics department and the Silver Fox Football Team next fall. Tom Knotts (Independence High, Charlotte) has a career record of 296-60 at three schools and coached Independence High to state championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006.
** THANK YOU **
Thanks again for the privilege to return to Columbia and represent the Irmo/Chapin/Ballentine/Dutch Fork community! If you have events or people you’d like me to share with the community through Nathan’s News, please let me know and I’ll do my best to help!
I’m always eager to spend time with you at your Homeowners Association Meetings, Churches, and other civic events in the community! Let me know dates and times and I’ll work to be there!
Please contact my office, 734-2969, or contact me here through Nathan’s News anytime
I can help!
Nathan Ballentine
www.nathansnews.com
House of Representatives, District 71
Richland-Lexington Counties
320B Blatt Building
Columbia, SC 29221