2008 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

            The Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce is committed to being the voice of business in Orangeburg County. The Chamber, through its Division of Public Affairs, recognizes its responsibility to advocate positive solutions on behalf of business and industry to promote economic prosperity in Orangeburg County and to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the county. To assist in the preparation of the 2008 Legislative Agenda, Chamber members were surveyed by mail or e-mail/web for their  level of support on anticipated public policy issues. 

Economic Development

            South Carolina’s per capita income is below the national average and Orangeburg County’s per capita income is below the state average with an above-average unemployment rate. Economic development is important to Orangeburg County and has benefited from the high priority that it has been given by the Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation and the Orangeburg County Council. Recent trends and events towards globalization of economic markets have created opportunities for our community. To meet these challenges, the Chamber recommends the following actions:

• Secure infrastructure for the proposed logistics center near Santee. In late 2007, Jafza International announced plans to locate a logistics and distribution park on 1322 acres near Santee. The estimated investment for the project is $600 million and projected employment of 8,000 to 10,000 people. An interstate interchange, roads, and wastewater treatment are needed for the proposed site for the project to become a reality.

• Eliminate the Blue Laws statewide.  Lack of Sunday sales prevents Orangeburg County from fully benefiting from tourism by reducing sales revenue and local sales tax revenues. Additionally, current Sunday sales requirements are confusing to businesses and shoppers.

• Encourage Economic Development in Rural Areas of Orangeburg County. State assistance needs to be expanded to fund infrastructure needs in rural areas. Locally, the Chamber will support the efforts of the Orangeburg County Development Commission and the Western Orangeburg County Regional Industrial Park Commission in implementing their Infrastructure and Target Marketing Study.

• Improve Access to Broadband Internet in Rural Areas. Broadband access is critical for business development in rural areas. Government policy and stimulus is needed to provide this access on a statewide basis. During the 2007 legislative session, the General Assembly created a study committee to make recommendations. The Chamber supports this action and will continue to monitor the work of the committee.  

• Align Workers’ Compensation Definitions for “impairment” and “disability” with American Medical Association (AMA) Guidelines.  Claims which are awarded out of line with the AMA can result in excessively high rates. Last year, the governor issued an executive order mandating the use of AMA standards. The Workers’ Compensation Commissioners have resisted the executive order. The Chamber supports the governor’s action and will continue to monitor the controversy. A fair and efficient system is in the interest of both employees and employers. 

• Update annexation laws to allow a reasonable approach to annexation. South Carolina’s annexation laws are extremely restrictive and result in excessive controversy. Reasonable procedures which take into consideration the population density and which balance the interest of the property owner and municipality are needed.  

• Encourage Smart Growth. Much growth in our state is haphazard and results in “urban sprawl” with all of the problems that it brings. Local and state standards need to be instituted to ensure the efficient use of land, exemplary quality of life, and environmental sensitivity.

• Enact a state immigration law which will provide workable guidelines for employers. During 2007, contentious debate on illegal immigration took place at the federal level and no comprehensive legislation to address the issue was passed. The Chamber continues to support a national solution to the immigration, but realizes that state action will be needed in absence of federal action. The Chamber supports a state immigration law that does not include unenforceable or burdensome compliance issues and prohibits local governments from passing a patchwork of immigration ordinances.

• Provide tax credits for those who use or manufacture alternative fuels. Currently, both alternative fuels and vehicles which use alternative fuels have higher relative costs. Incentives are needed to reduce cost through economies of scale. Ultimately, the technology and agricultural segments of South Carolina can benefit from cost-efficient alternative fuels.   

Education

            Highly educated citizens are important for improving the economic conditions and quality of life of a community. A quality educational system from pre-school through college is critical in attracting investment to South Carolina and Orangeburg County.

• Fully Fund the Personal Pathways to Success. In 2005, the General Assembly has enacted the Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA), which is now called Personal Pathways to Success. The act is designed to improve high school completion rates and to prepare students for college and the workplace through improved guidance and the curriculum organized by career clusters. The Chamber supports funding to fully implement the Personal Pathways to Success.

• Fully fund the South Carolina Technical College Systems’ CompeteSC.  This accelerated job readiness program includes QuickJobs Carolina, which provides industry-wide work force training and Retool Carolina, which provides training for existing businesses.

• Increase programs for apprenticeships. European countries have traditionally utilized apprenticeships to provide an effective, structured transition to the workplace. The Chamber supports pilot apprenticeship programs in South Carolina.

• Implement WorkKeys initiative at educational institutions, including high schools. WorkKeys is an assessment and instructional system that will ensure that critical skills for specific employment areas are addressed. WorkKeys encourages collaboration among high schools, technical colleges, and employers and is strongly supported by the Chamber. 

• Expand early childhood education.  Many at-risk students start school with limited skills and knowledge for success in schooling. The recent court decision on educational funding equity affirmed the need to expand programs for three- and four-year olds to minimize the affects of poverty. The Chamber supports the expansion of well-designed pilot pre-school programs.

• Adequately fund higher education to reduce in-state tuition.  Access to college is important to our society. An increased reliance for funding on tuition puts a college education out of reach for many students. The Chamber supports higher level of funding for higher education and the continued state support for Life Scholarships.

• Promote opportunities for parents to choose public schools that their children attend. The Chamber supports legislation that incorporates enhanced choices in the public schools that students may attend. The Chamber is fully aware of the complexities of this major structural change and encourages the implementation of state-supported pilot programs.

Health Care

            The cost of health insurance has increased dramatically in recent years. A part of the dilemma is a result of cost shifting of uninsured patients. Medicaid for low-income patients is shared between the federal and state governments. For each dollar appropriated by the state, the federal government provides three dollars. Additionally, many employees working for small businesses are uninsured due to the financial burden of small-group insurance premiums. 

• Increase the Tax on Tobacco to the Southeastern Average. South Carolina has one of the lowest tobacco tax rates in the U.S. Increasing the tax rate would discourage teenage smoking as well as provide a revenue stream to support Medicaid and/or provide tax credits to businesses to provide health care coverage.

• Increase Support for Health-related Careers. There are critical shortages of health care specialists. Last year the legislature addressed these needs through education programs for nursing and other health-related programs at the post-secondary level. The funding, however, was for one year. The Chamber supports permanent funding of programs to support health-related careers.  

Tax Policy

            An ideal tax policy for South Carolina is a balanced system which taxes wealth (property tax), income (income tax), and consumption (sales tax). The tax system should also be equitable for individuals and businesses. In 2006, the General Assembly passed legislation, which replaced homeowner property taxes for school operations with a one-cent increase in the state’s sales tax. The legislation has left business and industry exposed to property tax increases in the future. 

• Review the Tax System. The Chamber supports a comprehensive review of the state’s tax structure to ensure a pro-growth perspective.

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