Legislative Update   –  April 16, 2012

Re-Election Campaign Underway

I have certainly been very fortunate to serve District 83 the past year and half. I am asking for your support and your vote to re-elect me as your representative in Columbia. Even though I will not have any opposition I still need your support. To have a strong voice in Columbia, I have to communicate with my constituents. And that is you. My website, newsletters and Facebook are the tools that I use. It takes extra time and campaign funds to maintain them. If you would like to contribute, please mail a check to Hixon For House, P.O. 7927, North Augusta, SC 29861 or contribute online by going HERE.

Vote on Sunday Alcohol Sales:

I was asked by the City of North Augusta to see what could be done to allow the city to put a referendum on the next election to allow the citizens to vote on Sunday Alcohol sales. We all realize that we are losing business to Aiken and Augusta due to restaurants passing us by because they can't sell alcohol on Sundays. The Bill (H-5098) I introduced, and was co-sponsored by all of our area representatives, will allow City municipalities to place local refrendums on any election weather it's a County, State or National Election. As it stands now they have to wait until thier local election to add it to the ballott. For North Augusta, that could be up to 2 years from now. Currently the bill is waiting to be voted on in the House. Senator Shane Masey has introduced a similar bill in the Senate as well.

School Choice Approved for the First Time:

Eight years ago, the first School Choice bill was introduced in the SC Legislature. Finally a bill has been approved by the House. The vote was 65-49. The Bill(H-4894) will help families who want to educate their children in a private school or at home. Not all families feel public education is best for them. All children do not always learn the same way. The parents know what is in their child's best interest especially when it comes to education. This bill focuses on creating scholarships for low-income students.

The legislation is in the Senate now. 

To learn more about this bill, get the fact sheet.

Charter School Reform:

By a vote of 105-0, the House joined the Senate in approving reforms to Charter Schools in SC. The legislation provides further options for charter schools including the option of single gender schools and it gives charter school students the ability to participate in public school activities not offered by their charter school.

No More Camping at the State House:

The House passed legislation this week that bans overnight stays at the Capitol grounds. The bill was approved by the Senate last week and goes to Gov. Haley for signing. A handful of Occupiers moved back onto the State House grounds last week after the 90 day emergency ban expired.

Fake Pot Is Against The Law In SC:

Bill (H-3793) which addresses SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA AND OTHER SYNTHETIC DRUGS was signed by the governor on April 2, 2012 and is now law. The legislation adds numerous materials, chemical compounds, mixtures and preparations, including those commonly known as bath salts, spice, and K2, to the list of Schedule I controlled substances, which are unlawful for members of the general public to purchase, sell, distribute, manufacture, or possess.  The legislation also enhances the Department of Health and Environmental Control's authority to make changes to the schedules of controlled substances while the General Assembly is not in session and when changes occur in federal law regarding controlled substances.

First in the South:

I joined a number of lawmakers in filing legislation this week that will ensure SC holds the First in the South primary – whether it is a Republican or Democrat primary. The bill (H-5081) costs the state nothing, but ensures the tens of millions of private-sector spending that follows the Republican and Democrat nominees for President.

Retirement System Reform Passes The House:

The retirement system reform bill will save taxpayers $8 billion over the next 30 years while slicing more than $2 billion from the retirement system's deficit. The changes affect the more than a half-million members of the state retirement system and the police officers retirement system. These changes ensure the system will be there for state retirees, while also ensuring the state retirement system doesn't become a black hole for taxpayers.

Changes made to the plan include:

• Employees will pay one percent more out of their paychecks, with an additional one percent from the employers.
• Employees will pay more money to buy "service time" to retire early.
• Employees cannot use vacation days, sick days or overtime pay to calculate retirement.
• Benefits will be calculated using the last five years of salary, instead of three.
• New hires will work 30 years before they are eligible for retirement, up from 28; police officers and firefighters can still retire after 25 years.
• New hires are not eligible for the TERI program, which allows workers to retire and then return to work while collecting benefits.
• Lawmakers may not retire and draw benefits while still serving in the Legislature.
• Legislators will also contribute an additional 1 percent to the retirement system, raising their contribution to 11% annually.

The bill is now in the state Senate.

No Unemployment Benefits For Drug Users:

The House voted 70-24 on bill (H-4043) Under the bill, the state would not require drug tests. It would apply to companies that already do drug tests as part of their hiring process. If a job applicant fails a drug test or refuses to take one, the company could report that to the state Department of Employment and Workforce and that person's unemployment benefits would be cut off. Companies would not be required to report to the state.

Gun Carry Permit Regulations Changed:

Gun Legislation was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 82 to 3. This bill would allow those with a SC Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP) to carry into restaurants that serve alcohol as long as they don't consume alcohol. Every law enforcement officer I have spoken to embraces the expansion of the CWP program because it makes law-breakers think twice not knowing where guns are hidden.

Farm Truck Relief Bill:

Bill(H-4761) provides relief to small farmers and others who drive trucks less than 26,000 pounds. It exempts them from obtaining a DOT number and a medical health card if their vehicle is driven only in SC. If the this bill had not been passed, farmers and others who drive trucks or haul heavy trailers would face huge fines.

Please be sure to stay up to date with all that is going on in Columbia. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, I am always available.