Friday, JANUARY 20, 2006
From: John DeWorken
VP of Public Policy & Chamber Lobbyist
Upstate Exec Close to Confirmation to State Ports: Dave Posek, a retired executive from Lockheed Martin was Governor Sanford’s choice earlier this year to fill a space as a board member to the South Carolina State Ports Authority. Posek made it through his first hurdle to join the SPA board by clearing, with unanimous approval, the Senate Transportation Committee this week, Chaired by Senator Greg Ryberg. Upstate legislators on the board who supported Posek included Senator Danny Verdin and Senator John Hawkins. The next step for Posek is to get confirmation from the South Carolina Senate.
Workers’ Comp Reform Hearings: Ongoing
Hearings continue for this complex bill that attempts to stabilize an escalating workers’ compensation cost to South Carolina business. A House Labor Commerce and Industry subcommittee heard from Butch Bowers from Nelson Mullilns Law Firm, who drafted the bill, officials from the National Council on Compensation Insurance – they spoke about cost drivers in South Carolina, and Workers’ Compensation Commission Chairman Hostetler. Next week, the subcommittee will hear from SC Department of Insurance Secretary Eleanor Kitzman. Business groups, including the Greenville Chamber, are diligently working behind the scenes to continue the momentum to reform the workers’ compensation system.
State of the State Offered Gov’s Perspective: The Governor on Wednesday evening presented his annual
State of the State speech. In it, he emphasized workers’ compensation reform and additional funding to the Department of Commerce, as well as last year’s tort reform enactment, as exemplified in the following quotes from Governor Sanford:
“A good business climate means a legal environment that does not scare investment and capital from coming to our state. Thanks again to your work we also passed the first comprehensive tort reform bill - it will make our state more competitive in business and health care, move us off the list of Judicial Hell Holes.
We need to reform our workers compensation system, better our government structure, hold the line on spending and add just a few things at Commerce that, for the most part, we outlined in our budget.
Workers compensation rates in South Carolina are on their way to scaring off business investment and killing jobs in our state. If we do nothing, South Carolina businesses will be saddled with $350 million in additional costs next year - and this is despite their safety efforts that in 2004 were the best in the history of the state. I ask that this year be the year that we reform our archaic workers comp system and second injury fund, and provide another building block for job creation in our state.”
Thanks to SC Civil Justice Coalition Director Cam Crawford for this quote
Spartanburg Tech Name Change to go to Gov’s Desk : H.4394 – This is a local bill that allows Spartanburg Technical College to change its name to Spartanburg Community College. Last week, it passed out of the House and on Tuesday received automatic first, second and third reading. It now goes to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
Identity Theft Bill Molded in Committee: Senator Thomas, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, along with other Upstate Senators, including Senators Martin and Alexander, worked on a comprehensive identity theft bill that addresses the following:
- Minimum credit reporting by the reporting agencies (one per year)
- Freezing a credit reporting account if a person believes he or she is a victim of ID theft
- Social Security number disclosure and privacy
- Criminal penalties for unlawfully obtaining a social security number
- Business notification to clients or customers if its security has been breached
- Penalty for rummaging through one’s trash
- Record destruction provisions (ie – when a computer is sold or discarded).
SC DOT Testifies in Budget Hearing; Mass Transit Increased: Betty Mabry, the South Carolina Department of Transportation executive director, Wednesday testified to a House Ways and Means subcommittee budget hearing, chaired by Rep. Lewis Vaughn. Interestingly, Mabry and the SC DOT’s request for Mass Transit increased from $1.3 million from last year to $3 million for FY 2006-07.
Property Tax Hearings Continue: Senate property tax relief hearings continued this week in both the Senate Judiciary Committee and in a subcommittee, chaired by Senator Martin (also includes Senator Ritchie). The committees heard from Bernie Maybank, former Department of Revenue director, Association of Counties officials, and a Municipal Association spokesman. These proceedings will continue on Tuesday at a full Judiciary Committee meeting at 2:30 in the Gressette Building.
John M. DeWorken
Lobbyist and VP, Public Policy
Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce
864-905-5529
jdeworken@spartanburgchamber.com
Spartanburg Chamber Public Policy Central |
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