Statehouse Report February 26, 2016 – Roads Filibuster Continues

By Ashley Hunter

Last week, Senator Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) continued his filibuster on the roads bill. Senator Davis asked a few of his Democratic friends in the Senate why they were in favor of a gas tax increase instead of using the General Revenue Fund to fix the roads and bridges. Senator Paul Campbell (R-Charleston) stated,

“If all 46 counties raised a penny sales tax it would bring in more than $700 million.” Senator Davis argued that the local governments should play a role in repairing and maintaining state roads.

Davis said the Sun Light Foundation said there were 17 earmarks for South Carolina that are unobligated. Late Wednesday, an exhausted Senator Davis finally gave up the podium. Senator Bright then took the podium to carry on a filibuster of the roads reform bill. He will continue next week when the Senate resumes Tuesday.

The longest filibuster in U.S. history belongs to South Carolina’s former United States Senator Strom Thurmond. The South Carolina Senator was a long opponent of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, and  spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes to stall its passage. Senator Thurmond recited the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and other historical documents to pass the time.

Ways & Means Passes Budget

The House Ways and Means Committee began their budget debate Tuesday afternoon and finished on Wednesday.

Some highlights of the FY 2016- 17 State Appropriations and Capital Reserve Fund Bills:

• $351.6M to public schools that would increase the base student cost by $130 to $2,350 per student
• The Local Government Fund at $212.6 million
• $8.5M for Rural Teacher Initiatives
• Teachers were give an 2% base pay increase with 1% from EIA and 1% from EFA
• $72M for the state portion matching funds for the flood recovery costs through FEMA
• $16.2M for a 1% base pay increase for state employees
• $250M for roads, of which $185M will go to County Transportation Committees (CTC’s)
• • $1.5M grant program for Rural Infrastructure Bank
• • $40M for beach re-nourishment
• $10M Water Quality Monitoring; Safety Inspections of Gold Mines; Infectious Control; Home Health

Medical Tort Liability

The House Judiciary Special Laws Subcommittee debated H. 3067 this week. This bill would provide an extension of tort liability funds to physicians and dentists for services in clinics offering medical services for no payment other than Medicaid. Advocates of the bill say it will help address the lack of health care options in rural areas of the state. Some SC physicians and dentists want to be able to  provide their services for free; however, they would still have to pay $50,000 for medical malpractice insurance. This bill could address that. Opponents to the bill say it would would force the Insurance Reserve Fund under the Department of Administration to insure individuals. Subcommittee members have asked for a fiscal impact report and will continue discussions on this issue once it gets to the full Committee.
Ashley S. Hunter is the Chief Executive Officer of MPA Strategies, LLC. She has spent more than fifteen years advocating for state and local organizations. Ashley was selected for The State Newspapers “Top 20 Under 40ʺ′′ in 2012 and is a certified State Procurement agent. MPA Strategies is a Midlands-based public relations, advocacy and management firm.