South Carolina business community letter to General Assembly regarding S.1203

COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Chamber, South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, South Carolina Economic Developers Association, South Carolina Hospital Association, and the Charleston, Clemson, Columbia, Greenville, Greenwood, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg chambers of commerce today issued the following letter to members of the General Assembly regarding legislative priorities and S.1203:

FULL TEXT OF LETTER

TO: Members of the South Carolina General Assembly
FROM: The South Carolina Business Community
RE: Legislative Priorities

Dear Members:

The business community is deeply concerned with the priority given to S.1203 by the South Carolina Senate General Subcommittee, and the impact this may have on the economic climate in the state.

While our state is facing serious issues like insufficient resources to fix our crumbling roads, and a skills gap that threatens the economic growth of our state, it is troubling to see some senators devoting lawmakers’ time and taxpayer dollars to debating an unnecessary bill that diverts attention away from legitimate needs.

Our state’s economy is growing and is on the rise. We have more people working in South Carolina than at any other time in history. Governor Haley and Secretary Hitt have helped move South Carolina to the front of the line on economic development, adding more than 71,000 jobs and $17 billion in investment over the past five years.

The Palmetto State has built a reputation as a welcoming place for world class companies to call home. People are taking notice of South Carolina for all the right reasons.

If S.1203 is advanced by the General Committee, make no mistake that it will have direct impact on South Carolina jobs and job prospects. Members of the General Committee and the South Carolina Senate have a unique opportunity to further distinguish our state from our neighbors to our north and south.

The business community asks that members of the General Committee vote not to advance this bill and instead devote your attention to working on priorities that advance South Carolina.

Sincerely,

The South Carolina Business Community

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance
South Carolina Economic Developers Association
South Carolina Hospital Association
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce
Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Greenville Chamber of Commerce
Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce
Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce