A MESSAGE FROM THE SPEAKER

The S.C. House Approves a Budget, Accepts Stimulus Money

I am sure that you have read many things over the past several weeks about the state budget and the federal stimulus money.

I wrote to party activists last week and said approving our State’s budget is one of our most important responsibilities as legislators.

This budget is not perfect, but pro-business legislators fought to ensure items of interest to the business community -- namely education and healthcare -- were funded to the best of our abilities.

We kept a promise not to raise taxes to balance the State budget. There was an effort to increase the cigarette tax to plug the budget hole, but it was pulled down. In the coming weeks, we will debate my plan to use an increased cigarette tax to help small businesses fund health insurance for their employees.

The bottom line on the budget we approved last week: We approved a $6.2 billion budget that preserved as much funding as possible for law enforcement and education.  Most state agencies were cut to 2005-2006 levels, and we included the federal stimulus money in the budget to restore cuts made to education and health care.

We included the federal money in our budget, but I assure you that we did not come to that decision lightly. As a conservative, and as a businessman, I am concerned about what this unprecedented level of spending and debt will mean for the long-term health of our economy. Our children and grandchildren will be paying this stimulus package back, whether we accept the money from the federal government or not.

The federal dollars helped delay painful cuts to our K-12 education system and our state colleges. But I've told every agency not to get used to this money because it will be gone in two years, and without a significant improvement in the economy, we will have to make cuts again in 2011.

As always, thank you for your unwavering support to improving South Carolina's business climate.

I enjoyed seeing many of you at our Winter Reception last month, and I hope I get to speak with everyone again at our Spring Reception in April at the Palmetto Club. Don't hesitate to call if there is anything you need, and I hope I will see you at our Spring Reception on April 29th.

Yours Truly,

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legislative news

House Schedules Red Tape Hearings for Business

The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee has scheduled two hearings to take testimony on the Small Business "Red Tape" Reduction Bill.

Individuals and small businesses can testify about red tape regulations on March 25th at 2:30 p.m. Business groups will have the opportunity to testify on March 26th at 9:00 a.m.

“We want to give those individuals who are driving our state’s economy the first opportunity to have a voice in this debate,” House Speaker Bobby Harrell said in a press release. “Government should be looking for ways to help economic progress that will lead to job growth.  Their hands-on knowledge of how over-burdensome, red tape regulations hinder growth and make their jobs more difficult will be invaluable in the drafting of this bill.”

Any PLC members wishing to participate in the red tape reduction hearings can call (803) 734-3015 for additional information on the meetings. 

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Upcoming events

NEXT MONTH:
PLC Spring Reception

Please join us for the Palmetto Leadership Council's Spring Reception on Wednesday, April 29th, at Columbia's Palmetto Club.

Palmetto Leadership Council
2009 Spring Reception

5:00-6:00 p.m. - Sponsor's Reception with Leadership
6:00-8:00 p.m. - Spring Reception

The Palmetto Club
1231 Sumter Street
Columbia, S.C.

The PLC Winter and Spring Receptions are among Columbia's most anticipated events, attended by pro-business legislators and South Carolina's most influential business leaders.

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PLC News

Membership Questions?

If you have any questions, or would like membership information for a friend or colleague, please contact PLC Executive Director India Hazzard at 803.748.0338, on her cell phone at 803.730.0418, or via e-mail at:
ihazzard@palmettoleadershipcouncil.org.

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