Invite you to join your friends and neighbors at the fifth annual

Irmo Community Prayer Breakfast

Thursday, September 23, 2010 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Irmo
7068 Nursery Road
Columbia, SC 29212

Adrian Despres

Vice President, Kingdom Building Ministries
Chaplain, University of South Carolina Football
Itinerant Evangelist

Dr. Clark McCrary, First Baptist Church of Irmo
Dr. Bill Barton, Bill Barton Ministries
Rev. Julie Walkup Bird, McGregor Presbyterian Church
Rev. Kenneth E. Spry, Sr., Teen Spirit Forum of the Midlands
Rev. Dr. Franklin Fant, Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church

Music by:
Laine Huggins

Presentation of Colors by:
Irmo High School, JRAFROTC

Event tickets are complimentary
Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. Program starts at 8:00 a.m.

Please RSVP by September 16 to Elizabeth Donehue (843) 864-9414 or elizabethdonehue@gmail.com

Sorry for only 3 posts the past few weeks.

A combination of low mortgage rates at work , vacations , back to school for the kids and cable problems at home have kept me away from writing.

Oh…and now a virus.

We’re trying to fix things with a new site. Let’s hope it works.

Apologies for no posts since the August Community Update . I’m catching up on the news after being away and noticed we had eight members of the Lexington/Richland School District Five community offer their services to the community.

I know most of them and feel each brings his/her own strength to the Board .

As you know, I do not endorse in local community races but I do wish each candidate the best and hope the candidates will focus on the positives they would bring to office and avoid the tone that seems to always be in SC races.

Five Candidates offering for Richland side (2 seats):

Ellen Baumgardner, Columbia (incumbent)
Roberta Ferrell, Columbia (incumbent)
Jim Turner, Columbia

The election will be held November 9th. Be sure you’re registered to vote and are listed in your correct precinct: click here !

I would like to publicly thank Carol Sloop for her years of service to the community! Carol is not offering for re-election and I wish her well as she focuses on herself after giving so many hours and service to the Board and Community!

Where has the summer gone? Hopefully you and your family have been able to get away for the weekend or longer and head to the beach for some quality time together! Karen, the kids and I have enjoyed our summer and also enjoyed meeting many new neighbors after our move to Lakeside at Ballentine last month. For years we’ve been in the 29063 zip code and now we’re just down the road in 29036. Our home phone number is still the same, so call anytime!

*** STATE HOUSE ***

Every two years, all 124 members of the SC House of Representatives are up for re-election. (Note: Senators serve four-year terms and will not be on the ballot until 2012). This year there were 9 House Republicans and 2 House Democrats that did not run for re-election to the House. That meant heading into the June primaries the SC House would see at least 11 new members when we return next year. After the primaries and runoffs, we saw 5 incumbent House Members lose their election to challengers. That increased the number of new members in the House next year to at least 16 with the possibility of more should one party gain/lose current seats. Presently the SC House is 73 Republicans and 51 Democrats.

South Carolinians also know the nominees chosen by both parties for statewide Constitutional Offices, the US House and a US Senate seat this year. As I shared 11 months ago (yes, campaigns start the far in advance), it seems this season has been politics as usual on the campaign trail . Hopefully, the general elections will focus on the issues and allow voters to determine who can best improve state government and who will best represent the voters’ voice. Otherwise, it’s our citizens who miss out by becoming disengaged and either not voting or voting strictly off what the hired-guns (political consultants) want you to focus on: which rarely are the issues that matter most.

If you’re not registred to vote, haven’t voted in the past, or have moved since the last election…contact your local Election Commission and be sure you’re prepared to have your voice heard on November 2nd.

For a brief recap of this year’s legislative sesion, watch this video with me and Representative Anton Gunn (D-Richland) or read this post from last week: 2010 General Assembly Major Issues.

*** YOUR MONEY ***

Starting 12:01 am August 6 and ending a midnight, August 8, you’ll be able to enjoy another Tax Free Weekend. The concept originally began with the intention of focusing on “Back to School” items; however, that definition is much broader than people think.

Piggy-backing off that topic, I’d like to share with you that in a few months the Tax Realignment Commission is scheduled to present their proposal to the SC General Assembly. As you’ll see from that link, I am hoping that “politics” can at least stay out of those discussions until this committee can give us THEIR opinion on how we should reform our tax structure. Obviously, once we elected officials start debate, we’ll quickly inject politics; but shouldn’t we at least have as “unbiased” proposal as possible to begin our discussion?

Constituents in House District 71 will have several opportunities in the month’s ahead to share their opinions on these proposed changes (and other topics) at one of my constituent service nights throughout the district. For some “grass roots” advice on how best to connect with your representative or Senator, here’s a post I wrote last year: An Engaged Constituency.

*** COMMUNITY***

Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon is Wednesday, August 11th from 11:45 am to 1pm at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Cost $7. Speaker Simon Whitely of LifeNet SC.

Greater Chapin Chamber of Commerce SIZZLING HOT AUGUST AFTER-HOURS Tuesday, August 17, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. At The Tipsy Toad on Beaufort Street Free Admission & Food / Cash Bar with Drink Specials Lots of Great Door Prizes!

216 upscale housing development at Lake Murray Marina? A few years back proposals were floated but ultimately nothing began. Now? Could be closer to happening than you think . Contact our local county councilman, Bill Malinowski , with any questions/comments and stay informed by attending the Ballentine-Dutch Fork Civic Association meetings.

I know it’s pnly August but the next few items I mention below are important enough in our community that I wanted to give you advance notice so you can get involved and make plans to participate!

The 5th Annual Irmo Community Prayer Breakfast will be next month, Thursday morning September 23rd at 7:30 at First Baptist Church of Irmo. Once again, Representative Huggins and I will be relying on generous members/corporations in the community to sponsor the event . We’re hoping this event continues to grow as it’s done every year. Check back to Nathan’s News in the next few weeks for more information. For the past four years, this event has been the unofficial kickoff to The Okra Strut. If you would be willing to help sponsor the event again, or for the first time, please contact me via Nathan’s News and I will get you the information to consider.

Before The Okra Strut though, it’s the Chapin Labor Day Festival (September 4-6) . I always look forward to the Labor Day Parade and learned years ago…I better not run out of candy for the kids!

*** SCHOOLS ***

The school year starts August 19th for Lexington/Richland School District Five! To learn more about your child’s school, visit the district web page or stop by one of the many Open House/Orientations that will be held in the near future.

If you’re interested in serving on the Board of Trustees (a/k/a School Board), filing for those offices begin at noon on August 2 and closes two weeks later at noon on August 16. Four of the seven seats will be up for re-election. Two seats in Richland County and Two seats in Lexington County. Prospective candidates can contact the County Election Commissions for more details: Richland 576-2200, Lexington 785-8361.

New Football Coaches: The Silver Foxes (Dutch Fork) take to the field under the direction of new head coach, Tom Knotts. Meanwhile, the Eagles (Chapin), will have Justin Gentry lead the team into the 2010 season. I hope to be able to again catch a game or two this season and see the excitement both coaches bring to their program.

** 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!

During the summer and fall months, please 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

Is the lady pictured above young or old?

This morning on Twitter, I asked a question relating to Sports and Politics. Particularly in reference to an article in The State that mentioned apparent “gridlock” over several sports resolutions….specifically one recognizing my alum’s 2010 National Championship in Baseball .

The majority of responses I received share the opinion that these resolutions should have no place in politics – Washington or Columbia.

As the article mentions, these USUALLY pass unanimously and with no debate. Shortly after it passes it’s a matter of usually one or two members bragging from the podim about “their team” for a few minutes – sometimes taking jabs at members of opposing teams defeated along the way to a championship. Then there’s the presentation of a framed resolution recognizing the prestigous accomplishment along with the obligatory photo-ops and usually a tour around the building/grounds.

Obviously to young student-athletes, this can be a “big deal”.

In the SC House of Representatives, we even have a rule that limits the speeches to 3 minutes. Of course, while the speech my be 3 minutes…the parade of champions to the floor and pictures usually take longer. We generally allow no more than 2 teams a week and usually on Thursday mornings.

So….should Washington, or more closer to home, your state leaders use floor time to recognize championship teams or is your perspective one that says there are more important things to do?

We’ve caught grief in the past for other recognitions : guests in the balconies, family members in attendance, student shadows for the day, doctor of the day, etc.

Those take place throughout the day…many times a day. I’ll admit, being local, I have quite a few school groups and constituents stop by. Is taking a few minutes during session too much or is it acceptable to just let this practice go and realize it’s not really a “big deal”?

Are those recognitions throughout the day any worse or better than recognizing championship teams? Or should we stop with the entire practice from the floor and spend more time on other matters?

Email me, click contact above, or post your comments here. I’d like to know your perspective.

Brief recap of 2010 Legislative Session, budget, Gubernatorial race.

After yesterday’s Tax Realignment Commission (TRAC) vote on a first proposal to change our tax code , there seems to be many “worried dads” running around today.

As I told Robert Kittle this afternoon, let’s be patient. This reminds me of those children’s t-shirts that read “Be patient! God’s not finished with me yet”.

Earlier this week, I shared at the St. Andrews Rotary Club that the General Assembly empowered the TRAC to consider Act 388 in their discussions. I was wrong. While the House listened to the voters across the state and wanted to have a comprehensive discussion which included Act. 388; the Senate did not. (Something I found out AFTER my visit with the club and after reading reports that Act.388 was off the table)

How can you call it “comprehensive tax reform” if you’re not reviewing Act 388? Isn’t that like a woman being “kinda pregnant”? She either is or isn’t. Comprehensive either is comprehensive or it isn’t. You can’t go halfway.

My biggest fear is that before we even allow the TRAC to finish their job (the one we asked them to do for us), we may see politics interjected. Perhaps tainting their final proposal before it even gets into our hands to consider next session.

This next budget year isn’t going to be easy for our state; neither will the votes on whatever final proposal the TRAC sends us in November. But let’s all take a deep breath and be patient until the finished product arrives. There’ll be plenty of time to worry after that.

From WSPA.com…

COLUMBIA, S.C. — An initial recommendation to change South Carolina’s sales tax system is being met with hostility by a lot of taxpayers, since the plan would add a 2.5 percent sales tax to groceries, electricity, water bills and prescription drugs.

The Taxation Realignment Commission gave preliminary approval to the plan Wednesday, but TRAC must still give its final approval, send the recommendations to state lawmakers and then they must vote on them.

Besides the 2.5 percent sales tax on those essentials, the plan would start charging sales tax on hearing aids and prosthetic limbs, newspapers and other items that are now exempt. The plan would also phase out the current $300 sales tax cap on cars and trucks, but would not alter it for boats and airplanes.

To offset the new taxes, the state sales tax rate would drop from 6 percent to 4.96 percent.

Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Denmark, says he understands taxpayers’ genuine concern about the plan. But he says people need to remember the millions of dollars in budget cuts lawmakers had to make this year, along with a shortfall of more than $1 billion looming next year when federal stimulus money is gone.

“There comes a point when you can’t cut any more. You’re not cutting meat, you’re cutting the bone and we have to seriously look at what the TRAC commission recommended,” he says.

He thinks people who are understandably complaining about the possibility of paying sales taxes on groceries, medicine, water and electricity will feel differently if the state were to have to cut education even more, leaving their child’s class with 60 students instead of 25.

“When we run out of school bus gas and now they have to drive their kids to school, when… we have to start reducing the rolls of those persons on Medicare, then these people will understand that what we’re dealing with is real life,” he says.

Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Irmo, says it’s way too early for people to get too upset about what might happen with the TRAC recommendations. “What I tell them is have a little bit of patience,” he says.

He says lawmakers created TRAC to take the politics out of decisions on tax policy, so lawmakers need to let TRAC members finish their work before getting involved.

As for the chances of the TRAC recommendations passing, he says, “I’ll tell you that we’ve got to pass something. I mean, we’ve got a billion-dollar shortfall staring at us. Now the good news is, as a conservative, the proposal that we tasked them with is to make that revenue-neutral.”

But while he thinks lawmakers will have to pass something, Rep. Sellers says, “It’ll probably pass somewhere around Neveruary.” He doesn’t think Republicans in the House will be willing to pass tax increases, even if they’re offset by a decrease in the sales tax rate.

Did you know you can go to the SC State House website for more information than you probably knew was out there?

Most people know to go there to find out who their representative is and how to reach him/her but you can also research bills and, like us elected officials, receive a weekly update of legislation .

If you’re interested, here’s the 2010 “Major Issues” latest recap .

I’m curious to hear what your thoughts are on the year and how you’d grade your Representative, Senator or the General Assembly as a whole. Email me or comment here with feedback or advice for next session.

If you’re really interested in the money in politics, you can visit the SC Ethics Commission website . Not only can you see the impact of my Campaign Disclosure Reform Bill , prominently listed on the main page; but also information on lobbying in SC as well as the individual campaign disclosures for all elected officials and candiates.

Can’t believe my “Social Media Consultant” didn’t post this earlier. This was one of their earlier episodes. I believe I was the 2nd elected official to visit the set.

(I took this photo in summer of 2007) The Assembly Room in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his 13 children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Yet not one defected or went back on his pledged word. Their honor, and the nation they sacrificed so much to create, is still intact.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Four represented the Palmetto State.

Thomas Lynch, Jr., had his health broken from privation and exposures while serving as a company commander in the military. His doctors ordered him to seek a cure in the West Indies and on the voyage he and his young bride were drowned at sea.

Edward Rutledge, Arthur Middleton, and Thomas Heyward, Jr., were taken by the British in the siege of Charleston. They were carried as prisoners of war to St. Augustine, Florida, where they were singled out for indignities. They were exchanged at the end of the war, the British in the meantime having completely devastated their large land holdings and estates.

While I will never sign my name to such an historic document as that, I do consider it an extreme privilege to serve the people of Richland and Lexington Counties in Columbia. Every time I walk from my office in the Blatt Building up those steps into the Chamber it hits me the huge honor and responsibility I’ve been given by the people of Irmo, Chapin, Dutch Fork, White Rock, Harbison and Columbia.

While I cast important votes, none will ever match the votes taken to declare Indpendence and the signatures written on that declaration. While I make small sacrifices, they pale in comparision to what these brave men lost. Many lost everything in service of the country.

To read more, visit “The Americans Who Risked Everything” . For additional information, click here .