Legislative Session Preview 2010

Earlier this week, I returned to the Statehouse for my seventh year as your State Representative in Greenville County’s House District 27. Also returning were my 123 fellow House members. Together, we are committed to helping steer the state through these tough times. Earlier this week, I returned to the Statehouse for my seventh year as your State Representative in Greenville County’s House District 27. Also returning were my 123 fellow House members. Together, we are committed to helping steer the state through these tough times.

Many South Carolina families have been affected profoundly by the national recession. Our state faces several challenges caused by the economic downturn such as record unemployment and declining tax revenues to fund state services. Although this is an election year, my hope is that we will be able to put partisan differences aside and come up with real solutions. We need to make major headway in areas like creating jobs, growing the economy, finding better ways to educate our children, and restoring confidence in our state’s leaders and government.

I also wanted to let you know about a great opportunity to learn more about the issue and ask any questions you might have. I am holding my first Town Hall meeting this year from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 21 at Sam’s Restaurant in Fountain Inn. I hope to see you there!

Encouraging job and economic growth

Finding ways to help create jobs and get our economy on track will be one of our major priorities this session. We have to look for ways to help the S.C. Department of Commerce bring new companies into the state and help our existing ones grow. We have to do everything possible to encourage entrepreneurship and small business growth as well. This session, I expect to see legislation focused on making South Carolina one of the most business-friendly states in the nation.

A step we’ve taken immediately to help the economy is to pass a bill that would help reform the state’s Employment Security Commission, reducing costs, increasing oversight, and better connecting the jobless with job opportunities.
Another pro-business measure likely to get attention is tort reform, which prevents lawsuit abuse and makes it easier for certain professionals to do business. Back in 2005, we passed the first ever tort reforms in state history, however South Carolina still has the 8th worst Liability System ranking according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Stabilizing the state budget and setting spending limits

With unemployment high, tax collections are going to be down. This is revenue we use to provide essential state services. As we deal with a projected shortfall of a half-million dollars or more this session, we have to take a serious look at where the money is going and prioritize spending to fix the state budget.

This session, we’ll also look at adding a spending limit, which I am the primary sponsor of this legislation, to help level out the inevitable peaks and valleys. We also need to have some buffers in place to better weather financial storms, which I expect to address this year.

Making government more efficient

In lean times, the need for smarter government becomes crystal clear. One change I wholeheartedly support as the primary sponsor of the legislation this session is creating a Department of Administration. Currently, South Carolina is the only state with a five-member Budget and Control Board handling the administrative duties of state government. Instead, we need to consolidate administrative functions of government into a cabinet-level agency. This bill passed the House last year and is currently awaiting action in the Senate.
Holding the line on taxes

Raising taxes is bad for the economy and we simply cannot afford to make that move right now. More than ever, South Carolinians need to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. I do not expect to see any tax increases this session except for maybe the cigarette tax finally becoming law. That bill passed the House last year and awaits action from the Senate.

Also this year, the Tax Realignment Commission (TRAC), an 11-member body created by the General Assembly, is scrutinizing virtually every part of the state’s tax system. It will be developing a comprehensive strategy to present to the House and Senate. I think many tax-reform pieces of legislation will emerge.

Strengthening education

Education is top priority for countless legislators, as it should be. I have no doubt we’ll see a lot of education-related bills this session.

I continue to believe passionately that parents should have options and should be able to choose a school that works best for their child. To that end, I support bringing competition into the system through charter schools. In 2006, we helped launch the nation’s first statewide charter school district. This year, I am sponsoring a bill that gives charter school students, teachers, and leaders the same rights as their public-school counterparts in areas like funding, student transportation, and extracurricular activities.

We’ll also look at education funding this year. These lean times highlight the need for us to move toward a single weighted funding formula. This would help ensure all of South Carolina’s children get a quality education and encourage the development of more choices in education.

Reaffirming South Carolina’s rights

Also considered this year will be a bill defending South Carolina’s sovereignty, which protects the state’s rights under the 10th amendment. Passing this type of bill would allow South Carolina to opt out of any health care reform plan approved by Congress and similar federal laws.

During this session, I encourage you to let your voice be heard. I would love to hear your ideas or opinions on the issues. Please be sure to pass this message on to your family and friends, too.

By the way, if you ever want to view the legislature in action, go to scstatehouse.gov, click on House and then Live Broadcasts.

Thank you for the opportunity to represent you! It is a great honor!



Garry Smith