May 19, 2006
OFFSHORE DRILLING LEGISLATION PROPOSED
As the U.S. Congress considers lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling, the S.C. House overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for an explorative study of offshore drilling for liquefied natural gas (LNG). The proposed legislation establishes an 18-member committee, including representatives from coastal tourism interests as well as environmental groups. If the Senate was to approve this resolution, the committee will study the issue and report back to the General Assembly at the beginning of the 2007 legislative session.
S.C. ECONOMIC OUTLOOK INCREASES BY $180 MILLION
The Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) again bumped the state’s economic outlook, adding $180 million to its previous estimate of how much money will be sent to state government. The increased estimates include an $80 million surplus during the current fiscal year, due in large part to growth along the coast. Where, when and how this money will be used remains to be seen.
BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE NAMED
The House and Senate announced their respective members of the budget conference committee this week . . .
House: Ways & Means Chairman Dan Cooper (R-Anderson), Rep. Annette Young (R-Dorchester) and Rep. Herb Kirsch (D-York)
Senate: Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence), Sen. Dave Thomas (R-Greenville) and Sen. John Land (D-Clarendon)
This committee will finalize the two versions of the budget and send it on its way to the governor.
THEY SAID IT . . .
Sen. Luke Rankin (R-Horry County), responding to a question about the inequity of funds flowing to the state government as it relates to changes in the common law marriage provisions: “ . . . Yes, it would be very, very unfair . . . unless, of course, those funds were to be used to pave roads in Horry County. Then it would be just fine.”
Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston): “ . . . We have to keep tourism growing. We have to protect the Grand Strand. Have you seen the latest accommodations tax report? The Grand Strand is sending a lot of money back to the rest of the state . . . I’m all for protecting the Grand Strand.”
Rep. Walt McLeod (D-Little Mountain), speaking against the offshore drilling resolution: “Who do those beaches belong to? The people along the coast, or all of us in this state? All of us, I believe! Who do those accommodations taxes from the coast belong to? Do they belong to all of us? Of course they do.”
Rep. Chip Limehouse (R-Charleston), while debating the offshore drilling resolution: “Just exactly which critters would be hurt by offshore drilling? Are we talking shrimp, or other little critters?”
