Dear Friends,
The last few weeks, the House Republicans ushered through sweeping government reforms that will truly make our governor a chief executive and our government more accountable. This is the fifth time in six years that we have approved this legislation – which has never made it to the governor's desk.
Last year, we came within a final-hour Senate filibuster with this legislation. After six years of debate, we are here again.
At issue is the "Department of Administration". Currently, South Carolina is the only state that operates with a "Budget and Control Board", a strange hybrid of the legislative and executive branches that essentially controls most major functions of our state government.
This year, we have worked with the Senate to approve substantively similar versions of the legislation that moves human resources, information technology, and administration of the state's physical plant and vehicles under the control of the governor. This plan moves nearly 90% of the old Budget and Control Board's functions to the governor's cabinet, where these basic administrative functions belong.
Last year's version of our legislation included a large reduction in the number of state employees (mostly unfilled positions). That was not included in this year's package because the House rolled those reductions into this year's budget.
The House Republican Caucus has worked with both Governor Sanford and Governor Haley to consolidate our state's administration. We believe this move will make government more accountable and make our Governor a true chief executive. Above all, no matter who lives at the governor's mansion, it is the right thing to do.
We have taken additional steps to empower our chief executive over the past several years. Next year will be the final time our state elects a different lieutenant governor. Beginning in 2018, the voters have decided they will run on the same ticket. In addition, another constitutional amendment is in the Senate that would make our state's Adjutant General, the commander of our National Guard, appointed by the governor. General Livingston, a Medal of Honor recipient and our current Adjutant General, is actively supporting this legislation (which is being held up by a few Democrats).
Our state government can be a cumbersome and unwieldy entity at times, with our governor overseeing a few things, the General Assembly overseeing others, and the Budget and Control Board overseeing even more. As conservatives, we are fundamentally for a smaller, more streamlined government. That desire is at the heart of this legislation.
One small vestige of the old Budget and Control Board will continue. The new State Contracts and Accountability Authority will continue to oversee the state auditor, bonding authority, insurance services, and annual retirement assumptions. We had to keep this separate because of concerns about how putting all of that under the control of the governor might threaten our state's AAA credit rating.
In order for me to have a strong voice in Columbia, I have to communicate with my constituents. And that is you! My website, newsletters, mailers and Facebook are the communication tools that I use. It takes extra time, staff and campaign funds to maintain these tools.
If you would like to contribute, please mail a check to Hixon For House, P.O. Box 7927, North Augusta, SC 29861 or contribute online by going HERE.
I hope that you find this update helpful and informative:
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – June 6, 2013
The final week of the legislative session is upon us, and with most of the House's major work complete, all eyes were trained on the Senate.
Here is a compilation of the notable action from the House and Senate this week as we move quickly through the last day of the session Thursday, June 6, 2013.
Budget 
The Senate completed its three-week budget debate on H.3710, the $6.3 Billion state appropriations bill on Thursday, which should give the House a chance to review it and have the budget move to a House-Senate conference committee next week. We have not had the ability to fully review the Senate's changes, so I cannot comment on where we may or may not agree. However, because it took the Senate so long to finish the budget, we will most likely have to return to Columbia after the final day of session to complete it. In the event the General Assembly does not approve Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget, the Senate approved S.705, a continuing resolution, to keep the government functioning. It has been sent to the House and is pending the Ways and Means Committee.
Ethics
The Senate placed the House's Ethics Reform package on "special order", which means it should be up for debate on the Senate floor next week. Despite attempts by a few powerful Democrats to keep this legislation from coming to the Senate floor, we are hopeful that the Senate will still take action on our plan this year.
Gun Rights
The House Judiciary Committee approved legislation that would allow concealed weapons permit holders to bring their weapons into restaurants and bars. This passed the committee with wide, bi-partisan support. A subcommittee removed some arbitrary restrictions that would have been placed on concealed weapons holders last week, prompting praise from gun-rights groups. This legislation will be on the House floor next week.
Obamacare
The Senate set H.3845, ethics reform, and H.3101, Affordable Care Act nullifcation on the calendar for "special order" this week (as part of a deal to also get the Ethics bill on special order). This legislation prohibits the state or its employees from aiding in the implementation of Obamacare.
Falconry 
One of the more light-hearted debates on the floor this week was over a law that would allow the ancient art of falconry to be legal in our state. Despite several baffled questions from House members about whether we were debating legislation from a time pre-dating the birth of Christ, the legislation was approved 103-0. It turns out there are 1,500 licensed falconers in the country, and the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reported in February that there are 75 licensed falconers in SC all trying to revive the ancient art.
College Savings
If you or someone you know had a baby on May 29, that person is eligible for a grant of $529 to start a 529 college savings plan. The privately funded grant is available to anyone opening an account for their child by August 30. Contact the State Treasurer's Office for more information.
Sine Die
June 6, 2013 is "Sine Die", the official end of the session. I will update you next week on when the House will have to return to session to consider the budget, any outstanding conference committee reports or the governor's vetoes.
Reforming the Real Estate Commission
Last week the House debated and gave a 105-0 vote in favor of S.75, legislation providing for criminal background checks for real estate licensees and standards for investigations of complaints against real estate licensees. The House approved the language in S.75 and strengthened it by amending H.3771 to the bill. The bill has been sent back to the Senate and is pending the calendar.
H.3771 does the following:
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Requires the Real Estate Commission (REC) to have a least five dedicated investigators
- Requires any staff appointments made by LLR to the REC to be done with the advice and consent of the REC
- Requires the REC Administrator to hold an active real estate license with at least five years experience
- Requires the election of commissioners to be held by public notice with more transparency
- Adds a new commissioner for the new 7th congressional district.
