The 117th Session of the South Carolina General Assembly ended Thursday, June 5th, after a string of successes, and near successes for conservatives.
The House Republican Caucus completed its agenda on April 9th, though several items died in the Senate, such as my bills on restructuring and spending limitations.
The top achievement for this year was the illegal immigration bill, which was signed by the Governor on Wednesday, June 4th. We worked with the Senate and against special interest groups to combine the toughest aspects of the House and Senate Plans. Our Senator David Thomas was instrumental in the Senate in this effort.
While our government restructuring efforts and spending limitations measures died in the Senate an important rule change occured in the House that will shine a light on pork barrel spending in state government. The requirement that spending items not requested by a state agency have a sponsor and an explanation will go a long way in limiting such spending.
We also approved a plan to make health insurance more affordable and available by letting small businesses band together to get leverage for buying health insurance.
House Republicans spearheaded the effort to scrap the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT). We replaced the PACT with a diagnostic exam that will give useful information to parents and teachers.
In the second phase of our restructuring of the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the House approved dedicating the sales tax on cars to improving roads and highway infrastructure.
The House also passed a income tax cut for married couples, as well as a constitutional amendment to reduce the number of constitutional officers, both of which died in the Senate.
I thank you for helping me with many of these common sense conservative issues this year, and I look forward to your continued involvement with me in shaping agendas that will continue to enhance the quality of life for all of us.
Thank you for the privilege of serving you in Columbia. If I can ever be of assistance to you, or if you have ideas on these issues you want me to share with the rest of the General Assembly, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (864) 963-0337 or in Columbia at (803) 734-3045. www.garrysmith.org