This Week's Legislative Update

While the Legislature is in session, the Greenville Chamber sends out a Legislative Update each week to those members interested. Not receiving the updates, but interested? Contact Sunnie Harmon or John DeWorken at 864-242-1050 or by e-mail (sharmon@greenvillechamber.org or jdeworken@greenvillechamber.org).

Below is last week's update from Columbia:

Slow Week in Columbia
The SC House of Representatives enacted one of its furlough weeks March 17-19, while the SC Senate met for one day in the Senate Chambers before implementing perfunctory days on Wednesday and Thursday. During perfunctory days, the Senate does not meet in the Senate chambers to debate legislation. They do, however, continue committee meetings. This week Senate Finance subcommittees met in preparation for drafting the Senate’s version of the budget.

Anti-EFCA Concurrent Resolution Passed out of Subcommittee
House Bill 3222 passed out of a Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry (LCI) Subcommittee Wednesday with a favorable report. Upstate Senators Bryant (R-Anderson), Bright (R-Spartanburg) and Nicholson (D-Greenwood) are commended for their positive comments regarding the bill. H. 3222, which passed the SC House of Representatives, is a concurrent resolution asking the South Carolina congressional delegation to oppose any legislation that would remove South Carolina workers’ rights to a secret ballot election when deciding whether or not to unionize. H. 3222 is part of South Carolina’s efforts to defeat the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), which has been introduced in both the US House and US Senate. The Upstate Chamber Coalition, along with the SC State Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business, has been active in the fight against EFCA. The bill will now move to the full Senate LCI committee for discussion.

More Budget Cuts
The South Carolina Budget and Control Board announced another $100 million cut in the budget. K-12 will feel the greatest cut of approximately $45 million in funding. The House passed its budget last week, so it will be up to the Senate Finance Committee to work with the newly reduced budget. SC Lawmakers are trying to determine how much of the budget gap can be filled by the Federal Stimulus money.

EFCA Constitutional Amendment up for Debate on House Floor
House Bill 3305 introduced by Representative Eric Bedingfield (R-Greenville), is set for debate on the House floor on Wednesday, March 25. The bill would amend South Carolina’s constitution to guarantee a worker’s right to a secret ballot in a union election. Since the legislation amends the constitution, a two-thirds majority of the House and Senate will have to pass H. 3305. Once passed, it will be up to the citizens of South Carolina to vote for a referendum in the 2010 election. Currently, H. 3305 has 75 co-sponsors.

Seed Capital Legislation to be introduced by the Speaker
Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston) has committed to act as the primary sponsor of the Upstate Chamber Coalition’s Seed Capital legislation. This bill will create a seed capital fund manager who would invest in South Carolina pre-start up and start-up high impact companies. Those who invest a minimum of $100,00 in the fund will receive a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the total investment. South Carolina currently has a program called SC LAUNCH!, which can invest up to $200,000 in pre-startup and startup companies in addition to venture capitalists who invest $1million or more in already established companies. The intent of the Seed Capital bill is to fill this investment gap and to encourage entrepreneurs and promote the establishment of SC grown high-impact businesses and headquarters. Upstate Chamber Coalition lobbyists are signing up co-sponsors before the Speaker introduces the bill in coming weeks.

For more legislative information, visit www.scstatehouse.net.