Town Hall
Picture from the town hall meeting last night. Thank you to all who attended!
Reforms needed to improve South Carolina
Change. Reform. Jobs. Transparency. Taxpayer protection. Since I ran for office almost two years ago and started serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives in January 2009, these are the areas most asked of state government by people in our district and around South Carolina. To represent you at the S.C. House, I have been working hard with other like minded representatives to make changes toward improving our state government and the quality of life for all of us in South Carolina. Some areas of change that I have been working on with other members are as follows:
Spending Caps and Tax Reform. The budget shortfall of the last two years tells us that we need meaningful tax reform and a cap on future spending growth. We are headed toward comprehensive tax reform with the Tax Realignment Commission report due in November. The bill to cap future spending growth in the general fund and to set aside a larger amount of reserves for a rainy day can still pass this session. Reforming our tax code and reigning in the growth of state government will help the private sector in the creation of more jobs for our workforce.
Government Restructuring. At least six restructuring reports since 1920 have recommended that South Carolina restructure state government to improve efficiency and accountability. We must move further along with restructuring our state government. Bills establishing a Department of Administration; letting voters decide whether certain constitutional officers should be elected or appointed by the Governor; and reorganizing the Employment Security Commission into a Department of Workforce should pass this session.
High School Dropouts. During the next 20 years, over 85 percent of the jobs will require at least a high school education. The growing number of people dependent on state entitlement programs for assistance can be attributed, in part, to the lack of adequate educational attainment. We must address our state’s high school dropout rate both in the short and long terms. One short-term way to address the problem is through the passage of a bill to require all students under the age of 18 either to have graduated or to be enrolled in school in good standing in order to have the privilege of possessing a driver’s license. Dropping out of school early without a hardship would mean giving up the privilege of driving. This bill has to get a subcommittee hearing in the second week of April to have a chance to pass this year. Please let your representatives and senators know that you want this bill to pass this year.
Roads and Bridges. The chairman of the S.C. Department of Transportation recently stated that we are not adequately addressing our road and bridge infrastructure needs. Anyone who travels our roads can tell this as well. The South Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for the fourth largest state maintained road system in the nation. Yet, we have no recurring means of funding improvements for our roads and bridges. It is time for that to change. A bill can still pass this year for the maintenance and improvement of our state’s roads and bridges. If not, then addressing infrastructure needs must be top priority for 2011.
Zero Based Budgeting. We are facing an expected $980 million shortfall next year in the State’s General Fund. Since last year, I have joined other House members in advocating zero based budgeting principles to be used in the State Budget preparation process. Last week, the House voted to require such principles to be used starting with the 2011 budget. If the Senate concurs and the requirement becomes law, then taxpayers will benefit.
Transparency. We can restore some of the public’s trust in government by making roll call voting requirements permanent. Legislation doing this just passed the House and is now headed to the Senate.
Join me in calling on our representatives, our senators and our governor to make the above happen. In doing so, we can count 2010 as a year in which we made significant progress toward improving our state government despite the budget challenges that we face.
by Tom Young
Aiken Standard
Update March 23-25
The House of Representatives met this past week. The House will furlough and not meet for the next two weeks reconvening on April 13. I hope that you find this update helpful and informative:
Town Meeting: I am holding a town meeting in Aiken on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Aiken County Council Building on Richland Avenue. The public is invited.
Roll Call Voting Bill: The bill that will require roll call voting on nearly every vote in the General Assembly passed the House unanimously on Thursday and now heads to the Senate. I am a cosponsor of the bill.
Employment Security Commission (ESC) Reform: The House and the Senate agreed on a final version of the ESC reform. The bill creates the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, terminates ESC commissioners and sets new elections for hearing officers, and restricts payouts for employees fired for gross misconduct. The bill now heads to the Governor and he is expected to sign it tomorrow. As to South Carolina’s loan from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits, the loan now is $832 Million. Legislation to restore the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund is being worked on in the Senate. Various proposals are being considered including one that reduces rates for companies that use the system the least and increases rates for companies that use the system the most.
Health Care Legislation: With the passage of the Health Care bill by Congress last week, a House subcommittee approved legislation that would let South Carolina voters decide this November whether to go along with the health care law just passed in Washington. The bill would set up a referendum to change the state constitution to block any fines or penalties for people who do not buy health insurance as the new federal law requires.
Sembler Mall Project in Jasper County: In recent weeks, I have been asked if I planned to support the state tax incentives being offered for the development of a large mall in Jasper County. I do not support those state tax incentives. The bill providing for the incentives has been in the Senate and has not reached the House. That bill was amended last week in the Senate to delete the state tax incentives in favor of a local option tax for funding the project. I have not seen the new version of the bill as of today. My understanding is that most of the bill’s opponents are in favor of the new version.
Tax Realignment Commission: The Commission met again this past Friday. A resolution to include Act 388 and its effects in the Commission’s review and final report was stripped out of the resolution in the Senate Finance Committee last week. (Act 388 is the property tax reform legislation of 2006 which exempted owner-occupied homes from state taxes to fund public school operations and replaced that income stream to public school operations with sales tax. During the Recession and subsequent decline in sales tax receipts, this move is widely credited with the decrease in funding to our public school operations.) The proposal to include Act 388 in the Commission’s review has wide support in the House. The Tax Realignment Commission information can be obtained at the www.scstatehouse.gov website.
Federal Government Settlement with Norfolk Southern: In the past two columns, I wrote about the Federal Government’s proposed settlement with Norfolk Southern as to the Government’s lawsuit for environmental contamination after the 2005 chlorine spill in Graniteville. The proposed terms of the settlement include $4 Million being paid by Norfolk Southern to the Government’s Oil Spill and Hazardous Waste funds. Also, the local communities affected by the spill will receive 3,000 fish released into Langley Pond and some trees to be planted along Horse Creek. I am very disappointed in the proposed terms and what is being offered to the local communities affected by the spill. We are now in the 30 day period to object to the proposed settlement. I am filing an objection as an elected official representing much the affected area. To file an objection, you may do the following: The proposed Settlement may be examined on the following Department of Justice Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent-Decrees.html. The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30) days from March 8, 2010 comments relating to the proposed Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and either e-mailed to pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov or mailed to P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611, and should refer to United States v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., D.J. Ref. 90-5-1-1-09024.
Visiting with Constituents at the State House: This past week, I spoke to 3rd grade students from Chukker Creek School who toured the State House. Additionally, many local residents who support USC Aiken joined Dr. Tom Hallman in Columbia on Wednesday at Carolina Day at the State House. I spoke with them too during their visit.
SCE&G Rate Hike Request: Several Aiken County residents have contacted me and others on the legislative delegation about SCE&G’s proposed rate hike request. The State Public Service Commission (PSC) will have to approve the request. Currently, the PSC has public hearings scheduled in Columbia (May 24), Summerville (April 26), and Charleston (April 27). I am joining other delegation members in requesting a public hearing to be held by the PSC here in Aiken County. If this request is granted, I will post more information when I know it.
Link to State Government Financial Report: South Carolina’s Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom and his staff prepare an annual “Report to our Citizens.” This report is designed to provide concise, interesting, and understandable information about the financial condition and performance of State Government. The Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 can be obtained by clicking here.
Job Fair: Early last Fall, I asked the Employment Security Commission to host a Job Fair here in greater Aiken to assist those who are looking for work. That Job Fair was held this past Saturday, March 27 at Aiken Tech. Many local residents were assisted with finding employment.
Road Issues: If you see a road problem, you can call the SCDOT at 641-7665 or Aiken County at 642-1532 to report the problem. If you do not get a prompt response, please let me know at TomYoung@schouse.gov or call me. In the past two months, I have received many different reports of problems and I have relayed those to the appropriate agencies.
Filing for Reelection: I filed on Tuesday, March 16 for reelection to represent House District 81. I am grateful for the privilege to serve.
Happy Easter! Thank you for the opportunity to represent you. Please let me know if I can help you in any way or if you have questions about these or other issues. Your feedback is meaningful and appreciated.
Tom Young
649-0000 (o)
215-3631 (cell)
Update – March 15 to March 18, 2010
Update – March 15 to March 18, 2010
The House of Representatives met this past week and meets again this Tuesday, March 23. Because a lot happened this past week, this update is longer than some of recent ones. I hope that you find this update helpful and informative:
Traffic Lights in Downtown Aiken: On Friday of this past week, SCDOT changed the traffic lights downtown back to the way that the signal lights operated before the changes that were implemented on March 1. This decision came after nearly three weeks of public discontent with the changes and many discussions between State Transportation officials, City of Aiken officials, and both Senator Ryberg and me. While the signal operations will revert back to the original patterns in place before the SCDOT project was initiated, several upgrades are being retained including the following: (1) the pedestrian signals and operations; and (2) the system installed to detect changes in traffic volume and to adjust signal timing (this will be especially helpful to someone stopped at a redlight in downtown late at night and no other traffic is present). The equipment for the upgrades not being retained will be taken down and used in other parts of the state. Since the decision was announced this past Thursday, I have received lots of feedback from many people who are pleased with the news and glad to return to patronize the shops and restaurants in downtown Aiken.
State Budget: The full House debated the budget this past week staying in session until 8 pm on Monday; 11 pm on Tuesday; and going all night Wednesday until adjourning about 8 am on Thursday morning. At $5.1 Billion, the proposed general fund budget is $2.0 Billion less than two years ago. I will address some of the areas that many people in District 81 have asked about as follows: Read more
Update – March 9 to March 11, 2010
Update – March 9 to March 11, 2010
The House of Representatives met this past week and meets again this Monday, March 15 for the annual state budget debate. I hope that you find this update helpful and informative:
Traffic Lights in Downtown Aiken: This past week, SCDOT made changes to its newly implemented traffic signal system downtown. Although some improvement has been seen with these changes, there are still problems. Again this past week, I was in touch with SCDOT officials as I received more constituent calls complaining about the new system. Many people said that they will not patronize downtown Aiken if the situation does not improve. This should concern all of us. I am working with Senator Ryberg and others to find a solution to the problems created by these changes. The SCDOT assured us last Tuesday that they will consider returning to the old system if the new changes are not effective in resolving the issues created by the implementation of the new system. As to the cost, SCDOT says that the cost was $320,000.00 and paid for with a federal grant.
State Budget: As reported last week, the full House will debate the budget this week starting the afternoon of March 15. At $5.1 Billion, the proposed general fund budget is about $2.0 Billion less than two years ago. House members received a copy of the proposed budget this past Tuesday. I assure you that I will do all that I can to make the best of this situation. Many folks have emailed me or called me asking about certain areas. I will address some of those as follows:
Budget Cuts to Disabilities and Special Needs and Department of Mental Health: To balance the general fund budget, substantial cuts have been proposed by the Ways and Means Committee to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Mental Health. These cuts will affect a lot of families who have members with disabilities, special needs, and mental health issues. Many people contacted me the past two weeks including members of the Tri-Development Board asking that I work to restore funding to these areas. I have spoken with the chairman and other members of the House Ways and Means Committee. It is expected that some money will be restored to this area during the budget debate this week.
Budget — Education: Education (K-12 and higher education) makes up 51% of the total general fund appropriations by functional group. When you add in Health and Social Rehabilitation, they together make up 76% of the total. (Click here to view graph.) Thus, when State Government has to find ways to cut nearly $2.0 Billion in General Fund budget items over the past two years, it is not likely that both education and health programs will not be touched. One area that the Ways and Means Committee cut is the National Board Certification program for teachers. Under the cut, the program will be closed to new enrollees.
Budget — General Fund/Other Funds/Federal Funds: The State Government Budget is composed of three sources of funds: Appropriated General Funds which this year total about $5.1 Billion and which is what the House will debate this week. Federal Funds which total $8.2 Billion and is money that comes from the Federal Government directly to state agencies. Other Funds which is largely fines and fee money that state agencies collect and which in large part goes to the operating expenses of the collecting agencies. The total this year is about $7.7 Billion. There needs to be more transparency and accountability over how the Other Funds are being spent.
Budget — Cigarette Tax: At 7 cents a pack, South Carolina’s cigarette tax is the lowest in the nation and has not changed since 1977. The national average is $1.34 per pack. Last year, the House approved a 50 cent a pack cigarette tax increase. That measure has stalled in the Senate. Two weeks ago, the House Ways and Means Committee approved a 30 cent a pack increase as part of its budget package in an effort to raise money to offset cuts to State Medicaid programs. A 30 cent a pack increase is expected to generate $88 Million in revenue. A 50 cent a pack increase is expected to generate $147 Million in revenue. I expect this issue to be debated on the House floor this week. When I ran for office, I said that I would support raising the cigarette tax. I voted for a cigarette tax increase last year and I plan to support an increase this year. Smoking related illnesses cost taxpayers a lot of money each year. Raising the cigarette tax will generate revenue and deter some people from picking up the habit. Even though it is in theory a declining revenue stream, it also in theory should result in fewer costs to taxpayers for smoking related illnesses over time if the tax goes up. As always, I welcome feedback on this or any other issue.
Budget — Loan for Heritage Golf Tournament in Budget: It was reported last week that this year’s proposed budget from the House Ways and Means Committee includes a loan of $10 Million to assist in keeping the Heritage Golf Tournament here in South Carolina. Apparently, the loan is being proposed as a safety net if a corporate sponsor does not step in to sponsor the tournament in near future. I do not plan to support this proposed expenditure in view of all of the other cuts to more essential functions of state government.
Additional Budget Thoughts: I have discussed the reasons for our state’s General Fund revenue shortfall and the possible remedies in past columns. I will readdress those in the coming weeks during one of our furlough weeks. In the meantime, remember that the budget process will continue after this week into late May as the budget goes from the House to the Senate and then back to the House and then to the Governor where he may veto certain items. Thus, there are a lot of uncertainties between now and the end of May as to the budget. Yet, one thing is certain as to this year’s budget, state government, and the economy: If we cannot cut unnecessary government agencies and expenditures in a down economy, then they will not be cut at all. I will do my best keeping in mind that the money is our hard earned tax dollars.
Federal Government Settlement with Norfolk Southern: This past week, we read about the Federal Government’s proposed settlement with Norfolk Southern as to the Government’s lawsuit for environmental contamination after the 2005 chlorine spill in Graniteville. The proposed terms of the settlement include $4 Million being paid by Norfolk Southern to the Government’s Oil Spill and Hazardous Waste funds. Also, the local communities affected by the spill will receive 3,000 fish released into Langley Pond and some trees to be planted along Horse Creek. I am very disappointed in the proposed terms and what is being offered to the local communities affected by the spill. There will be a 30 day period to object to the proposed settlement. With other elected officials and citizens in the area, I will object to the terms proposed by the Federal Government.
Texting While Driving: On Wednesday, the House passed a bill that bans texting while driving a motor vehicle. Although the bill would have banned both texting and cell phone use while driving, opponents were able to remove the ban on cell phone use and to lower the penalties associated with texting while driving. Based on the feedback from many people in District 81, I supported both the ban on texting and the ban on non-hands free cell phone use while driving. The bill now heads to the Senate.
Card Check Legislation: Last year, the House passed legislation proposing a constitutional amendment to protect workers’ rights to secret ballots in union elections in South Carolina. This past week, the State Senate approved the bill and the House concurred with the Senate’s changes. The constitutional question will now be on the 2010 general election ballot for voters to decide in November. This amendment is strongly supported by the state’s business community. I support the bill.
Visiting with Students: This past week, I spoke to 3rd grade students from Chukker Creek School who visited the State House. Additionally, I spoke to 5th graders at St. Mary’s School. I was impressed with many of the questions that each group of students asked.
Town Meeting: I am planning a town meeting in Aiken on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at a location and time to be determined. I will post more information in next week’s column and I will ask the Aiken Standard to publicize it.
Job Fair: Early last Fall, I asked the Employment Security Commission to host a Job Fair here in greater Aiken to assist those who are looking for work. That Job Fair is set for Saturday, March 27 at Aiken Tech from 9 am to 1 pm. Please pass this information along to interested residents of Aiken County.
Road Issues: If you see a road problem, you can call the SCDOT at 641-7665 or Aiken County at 642-1532 to report the problem. If you do not get a prompt response, please let me know at TomYoung@schouse.gov or call me. In the past seven weeks, I have received many different reports of problems and I have relayed those to the appropriate agencies.
Filing for Reelection: On a final note, I will file this week for reelection to represent House District 81. I am grateful for the privilege to serve.
New video update
Update – March 2 to March 4, 2010
The House of Representatives met this past week and meets again this Tuesday, March 9. I hope that you find this update helpful and informative:
Traffic Lights in Downtown Aiken: Eight (8) lights; 8 blocks; and 8 stops at those 8 lights. That is how traffic has been in downtown Aiken since the SCDOT implemented its new traffic signal system on Monday, March 1. The change has created substantial congestion problems and generated numerous complaints. I have been in touch with SCDOT officials and local public safety officials as I experienced the new system and I received a large number of constituent calls complaining about the new system. I am working with Senator Ryberg and others this week to find a solution to the problems created by these changes. Read more
Update – February 23 to February 25, 2010
The House of Representatives met this past week and meets again this Tuesday, March 2. I hope that you find this update helpful and informative:
Yucca Mountain: This week, Attorney General Henry McMaster announced that the State will be joining the legal action to obtain an injunction to prevent the federal government from stopping the Yucca Mountain program without congressional approval. State and Aiken County leaders have been working on ways to combat the recent Obama Administration decision to close Yucca Mountain as the permanent site for the nation’s spent nuclear waste. Despite nearly thirty years of public investment and research in the Yucca Mountain project including hundreds of millions of dollars from South Carolinians during that time, the Obama Administration’s recent budget decision to close Yucca Mountain is being made without congressional input or approval. It is critical for our leadership to work together to ensure that high level spent nuclear waste currently stored at SRS does not remain there permanently.
State Budget: The House Ways and Means Committee finished its work on the state budget this past Friday. The budget shows substantial additional cuts in every state agency as the state continues to experience the economic downturn and decreased state revenues. I joined with several other House members in asking that the Committee “zero out” some essential of state agencies before cutting teachers, law enforcement, and health care programs. My understanding is that the Committee did not do this because there is not enough support to make such cuts. The Committee did vote to raise the cigarette tax 30 cents per pack to help pay for substantial cuts in the state Medicaid program. The full House will debate the budget the week of March 15. At $5.1 Billion, the budget is about $2.0 Billion less than two years ago. I assure you that I will do all that I can to make the best of this tough situation.
Tort Law Changes: The House Judiciary Committee approved changes to state tort law including setting reasonable limits on punitive damage awards, adopting a sliding scale on outside counsel fees when attorneys are hired by the Attorney General to represent the State, addressing the Statute of Repose on building code violations, limiting appeals bonds, and allowing admissibility of the use or non-use of seat belts. The bill now heads to the House floor where I plan to support it.
Economic Development: The economic development bill prepared by House leadership this past fall was approved in committee two weeks ago and will come up for a vote on the House floor this week. The legislation includes several tax and regulation changes that businesses said are necessary to help business in creating more jobs. I am working with several House members to identify ways to help small businesses in South Carolina. If you have ideas on what the State can do to help small business in the current economic climate, please email me back with your input.
Sunset Commission: The House passed a bill setting up a “Sunset Commission” which will examine government agencies and programs to evaluate whether they are effective and still need to exist. President Reagan once said that “a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.” There is a lot of truth to this statement and the hope is that this commission will put to bed programs and agencies that are not performing or woefully out-of-date. The bill now heads to the Senate where it has stalled in the past.
Restructuring/Secretary of State: Last year, at the beginning of the session, I filed several restructuring reform bills including legislation to allow South Carolina voters to decide whether to amend the State Constitution so that certain constitutional officers who are currently popularly elected would in the future be appointed by the Governor as part of the Governor’s cabinet. The bill concerning the Secretary of State was the first to reach the House floor for a vote. Two thirds of the House (83 votes) had to approve the bill. On Thursday, the bill passed with 85 votes. It will now head to the Senate.
Driving and High School Dropouts: I expected this bill to come up this past week in subcommittee. Unfortunately, it did not. It should at the next meeting. This bill prohibits possession of a driver’s license until age 18 unless the young person is enrolled in, or has completed, high school. The bill does have a hardship provision for some limited exceptions. I am confident that if it becomes law this year, then it will be a way that we can combat the high school dropout rate in the short term.
Texting While Driving: The bill that will ban both texting and cell phone use while driving is on the House calendar. I have received lots of feedback on this issue. Nearly everyone who has talked to me has stated that they want a ban on texting while driving. However, as to cell phone use, folks are mixed on that issue. I have listened to all the feedback and I am leaning toward supporting the bill as is without dropping the cell phone ban. It is important to know that the bill will not prohibit cell phone use when the phone is being used with a hands free device. I welcome feedback on this or any other issue.
Judicial System Funding: Chief Justice Toal addressed the General Assembly on Wednesday expressing the difficulties that the Judicial System has with its funding. State revenues have dramatically decreased as a source of judicial system funding over the past nine years. Businesses like Boeing want a stable judicial system and one of the tasks facing this General Assembly is making sure that we continue to fund the system to ensure its stability and viability.
Warrantless Searches: After a long debate, the House approved a bill allowing law enforcement to conduct warrantless searches of persons who are on either probation or parole. This bill has substantial support from law enforcement agencies and local governments across the state as it is widely viewed as a way for authorities to combat criminal activities by repeat offenders. The bill now heads to the Senate for its consideration of House amendments.
Zero Based Budgeting: Last week, an editorial in the Aiken Standard advocated zero based budgeting principles for state and local government. Last year, I cosponsored legislation that is currently pending which will require state agencies to use zero based budgeting principles. The bill has to get a hearing in the Ways and Means Committee to begin its way through the legislative process. I am hopeful that after the House finishes the budget then this bill will get a hearing this session. If you know other House members, encourage them to support this legislation.
Tax Realignment Commission: As many of you know, this group was established last year by legislation and was charged with reviewing all of the state’s tax structure and revenue sources in order to propose ways to reform the tax code and to improve the state’s revenue stream. The one exception was that the Commission was not to review the property tax problems created by Act 388 in 2006. However, this week, I cosponsored legislation that will require the Commission to review everything including the property tax issues created by Act 388 and to include recommendations addressing those problems in its report which is due by November 15, 2010. This bill should pass the House this month.
Legislative Score Cards: Some interest groups “score” legislators based on certain limited votes in the House. Recently, the S.C Chamber of Commerce issued its 2009 legislative scorecard and I scored a perfect 100. Additionally, the South Carolina Business and Industry Political Education Committee (BIPEC) issued its 2009 scorecard and I scored a 96 out of 100. The SC Club for Growth issued its card and I had a “C+” which was equal to or better than 108 of the other 123 members in the House.
Job Fair: Early last Fall, I asked the Employment Security Commission to host a Job Fair here in greater Aiken to assist those who are looking for work. That Job Fair is set for Saturday, March 27 at a location and time to be determined. I will post more information when I know it.
Road Issues: If you see a road problem, you can call the SCDOT at 641-7665 or Aiken County at 642-1532 to report the problem. If you do not get a prompt response, please let me know at TomYoung@schouse.gov or call me. In the past five weeks, I have received many different reports of problems and I have relayed those to the appropriate agencies.