Senator Massey gives a video update about the budget, the Department of Administration Bill, and the constitutional amendment that South Carolinians will have the opportunity to vote on in the fall.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR THE WEEK 5/7/12 – 5/11/12
May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR THE WEEK 5/7/12 – 5/11/12
Here are the highlights from last week at the Statehouse -
CANDIDATES FOR 2012 ELECTIONS – Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court ruled that more than 100 candidates for various offices statewide were disqualified because they failed to file a Statement of Economic Interests as required by law. The Senate spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday working to come up with a solution that would allow these disqualified candidates to run in the June 12 primaries. Although it might seem like a simple problem to fix, the truth is we were caught between our State Constitution, federal law, and a very small timeframe. There was also a real fear that whatever we passed would have made the problem even worse.
In the end, nothing happened. A vote to suspend the Senate’s rules and consider a potential solution failed when it did not receive the necessary 2/3 vote. As one of the 4-5 senators who could personally benefit from the vote (my opponent was disqualified), I chose to recuse myself and did not vote. However, as I said in last week’s update, I continue to believe that candidates who made a good faith attempt to comply with the law should be allowed to run for office.
STATE BUDGET – The Senate Finance Committee finished its work on the state budget last week and passed it out to the full Senate. I expect the full Senate will begin debate this week.
The Board of Economic Advisers added an additional $292 million in projected revenue to the budget. That’s good news because the additional revenue is evidence that our state economy continues to improve. The bad news – from my perspective, at least – is that the General Assembly will very likely spend all the money. Here’s anarticle about the “new” money. Expect some interesting fights on the budget this week!
SC RETIREMENT SYSTEM – There has been a good bit of media attention over the last several months about proposed changes to the state retirement system. The House of Representatives passed a significant overhaul of the system in March. A Senate committee passed a different version of the bill a couple weeks ago. The Senate will probably take up this bill after finishing with the budget. You can read anarticle about the proposed Senate version here.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES
U.S. Fibers Expansion – Last week U.S. Fibers announced plans to invest $5.5 million into an expansion of its Trenton plant. The expansion is expected to create 48 new jobs! This announcement follows U.S. Fibers $10.1 million expansion in 2010 that generated 85 new jobs in Edgefield County. To read more about the expansion, gohere.
MICHELIN EXPANSION – Michelin recently announced plans to invest $750 million to build a new plant in Anderson and expand its existing plant in Lexington. The investment is expected to create 500 new jobs, more than half of which will be at the Lexington plant. You can read a couple articles about the new investment here and here.
BRIDGESTONE HIRING – The Bridgestone plant in Graniteville announced a significant expansion last Fall. They are now hiring for the new positions. For information on how to apply, go here.
Brasfield & Gorrie, the contractor for the new Bridgestone plant, is accepting applications for:
- Carpenter-must have own hand tools. Industrial Construction and concrete experience preferred. 5yrs experience preferred
- Laborer-Industrial construction and concrete experience preferred. Must be able to lift up to 70lbs and work in all types of weather. 2 yrs experience preferred.
Applications will be taken at the job site trailer at 436 Old Vaucluse Road on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11am-3pm and Thursdays from 4pm-6pm. Preemployment drug screen required as are Safety Toe Boots
MTU EXPANSION – Tognum America announced recently that it will expand its Graniteville MTU plant. Here’s a press release from the department of Commerce.
If you know of a business that is hiring, please let me know. I’d love to include that information in the next newsletter so we can get the word out.
LAST WEEK’S MEETINGS
On Monday morning, I spoke to two government classes at Lexington High School. The students pay close attention to issues facing South Carolina, and they asked some great questions. I really enjoyed the visit!
On Monday night, I attended Lexington Town Council’s monthly meeting. Council invited me to attend the unveiling of their Vision Plan for Lexington. It’s difficult to improve without a vision of where you want to go and how you plan to get there. I applaud Lexington’s Town Council for this significant step!
On Tuesday morning, I attending Lexington Chamber of Commerce’s First Tuesday breakfast. There were probably 100 people at the breakfast, and we learned about the United Way’s significant influence in the Midlands.
On Tuesday morning, I visited Gilbert Primary School, Gilbert Elementary School, Gilbert Middle School, and Gilbert High School for Teacher Appreciation Week. I enjoyed meeting new people and was glad to have the opportunity to say “thank you” to many of our teachers.
On Tuesday night, I attended the Lexington County Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual banquet. The District’s Commissioners awarded several scholarships and prizes to local high school students.
On Wednesday morning, I attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting for First Citizens Bank in Edgefield. There was a great turnout! I’m glad they’re here!
On Wednesday afternoon, I attended a lunch recognizing South Carolina’s firefighters. Several fire departments from our Senate district were represented. I had a good time catching up with some of our local heroes. Thanks to all our firefighters and emergency rescue personnel!
On Wednesday night, I held a town hall meeting at Lexington High School. This was my 12th town hall meeting of the Spring.
On Thursday I visited Byrd Elementary School, Gloverville Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Clearwater Elementary School, Merriwether Elementary School, Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, LBC Middle School, Merriwether Middle School, Midland Valley High School, and Fox Creek High School to say “thank you” to our teachers for Teacher Appreciate Week.
On Thursday night, I held a town hall meeting at Gilbert High School. We had a good crowd and a great discussion about the issues facing South Carolina.
On Friday I rounded out my Teacher Appreciation Week tour by stopping by W.E. Parker Elementary School, Johnston Elementary School, Douglas Elementary School, JET Middle School, Strom Thurmond High School, and Wardlaw Academy. Our teachers do a great job!
Constituent Interests
TOWN HALL MEETINGS – I have held 13 town hall meetings so far this Spring. I hope to have a couple more before the legislative session ends. I’ll keep you updated as we get them scheduled.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FILING IS OPEN – Persons who were at least 65 years of age, blind, or 100% disabled as of December 31, 2011, are entitled to a property tax exemption on the first $50,000 in appraised value on their residence. However, in order to get the tax exemption, the person must apply with the county auditor. Auditors are now accepting applications for the 2012 tax year. Contact your county auditor with questions.
SENATE DISTRICT 25 – Our Senate district has changed because of the 2010 census. The district now contains all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the new district map, go here.
VOTING RECORD – If you’d like to see how I voted last week, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
SPEAKING WITH GROUPS – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.
EMAIL UPDATES – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.
Sincerely,
Shane Massey
P.O. Box 551
Edgefield, SC 29824
Email – shaneforesenate@yahoo.com
Cell Phone – (803) 480-0419
P.S. Please visit www.senatormassey.com for more posts, news, and video updates. Also, please “friend” me on Facebook www.facebook.com/shanemassey.sc and follow me on Twitter (@shanemassey).
Legislative Update for the Week of 4/30/12 – 5/4/12
May 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Here are the highlights from last week at the Statehouse -
Candidates for 2012 Elections– The main topic of discussion in Columbia last week was the Supreme Court’s opinion that disqualified more than 100 candidates for various offices statewide because they failed to file a Statement of Economic Interests as required by law. Here is an article that details the situation. You can read the Supreme Court’s opinion here.
On Thursday Senator Kevin Bryant introduced a resolution that would allow the disqualified candidates to submit the necessary paperwork and be on the ballot for the upcoming elections. The Senate Judiciary Committee will have a specially called meeting on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. to consider the resolution. If the resolution passes, the primary election scheduled for June 12 will almost certainly have to be moved to later in the summer. Although I have some questions about the resolution and its impact, I believe we should allow the candidates to appear on the ballot if they made a good faith attempt to comply with the law. We should encourage more participation in the process rather than making it more difficult to run for office.
SC Retirement System– There has been a good bit of media attention over the last several months about proposed changes to the state retirement system. The House of Representatives passed a significant overhaul of the system in March. A Senate committee passed a different version of the bill last week. You can read an article about the proposed Senate version here. I expect the full Senate will begin debating the bill later this week.
Charter School Bill – The House and Senate agreed to language in a bill that would update the laws related to charter schools. Some of the highlights of H. 3241 are:
- colleges and universities could sponsor charter schools. Now, only local school districts or the statewide charter school district can sponsor charter schools.
- single-gender charter schools could be created.
- charter school students could compete for and participate in extracurricular activities at their resident public school if the charter school does not offer those activities.
The bill now goes to Governor Nikki Haley. You can read the bill here.
New Chancellor at USC-Aiken– Sandra Jordan, Provost at Georgia College; State University, was named USC-Aiken’s Chancellor last week. Ms. Jordan succeeds Dr. Tom Hallman who is retiring after 12 years as Chancellor. Dr. Hallman has done a tremendous job for USC-Aiken during his tenure, and I’m confident Ms. Jordan will provide great leadership for the university going forward. Here is an article about Ms. Jordan.
Economic Development and Job Opportunities
Michelin expansion – Michelin recently announced plans to invest $750 million to build a new plant in Anderson and expand its existing plant in Lexington. The investment is expected to create 500 new jobs, more than half of which will be at the Lexington plant. You can read a couple articles about the new investment here and here.
Bridgestone hiring – The Bridgestone plant in Graniteville announced a significant expansion last Fall. They are now hiring for the new positions. For information on how to apply, go here.
Brasfield & Gorrie, the contractor for the new Bridgestone plant, is accepting applications for:
Carpenter-must have own hand tools. Industrial Construction and concrete experience preferred. 5yrs experience preferred.
Laborer-Industrial construction and concrete experience preferred. Must be able to lift up to 70lbs and work in all types of weather. 2 yrs experience preferred.
Applications will be taken at the job site trailer at 436 Old Vaucluse Road on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11am-3pm and Thursdays from 4pm-6pm. Preemployment drug screen required as are Safety Toe Boots
MTU expansion – Tognum America announced recently that it will expand its Graniteville MTU plant. Here’s a press release from the department of Commerce.
If you know of a business that is hiring, please let me know. I’d love to include that information in the next newsletter so we can get the word out.
Last Week’s Meetings
On Monday morning, Rep. Anne Parks and I met with the McCormick County Council. We have these joint legislative delegation/county council meetings about 4 times per year so we can hear from Council about local concerns and provide an update from Columbia.
On Monday night, I attended a specially called Edgefield County Council meeting to address water (or lack thereof) and noise concerns on the Northside of the county. A large crowd turned out to voice their concerns.
On Wednesday morning, I chaired a Labor, Commerce & Industry subcommittee that examined right to work/union legislation and various agency regulations. I will be chairing another subcommittee meeting Wednesday of this week.
On Wednesday night, I held a town hall meeting at the McCormick County Council chambers. We had a good crowd and an interesting discussion about statewide issues. Thanks to everyone who came out!
On Thursday, I flew to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend the National High School Mock Trial Championship. Blair and I have served as attorney coaches for the Strom Thurmond High School mock trial team for several years. When the team won the state championship this March, I promised to go with them to the national tournament. The students from STHS were great ambassadors for South Carolina!
Constituent Interests
Town Hall Meetings – I have held 11 town hall meetings so far this Spring, and I have more scheduled. Please come out if you get a chance. These meetings are great opportunities for you to let me know how you feel about the issues and for me to keep you updated about what’s going on in Columbia. Here are the upcoming meetings:
Wednesday, 5/9/12
Lexington High School
Cafeteria
2463 Augusta Highway
Lexington, SC
6:00-7:30
Thursday, 5/10/12
Gilbert High School
Theater
840 Main Street
Gilbert, SC
6:00-7:30
I’m trying to schedule more meetings. I’ll keep you updated as we get them set.
Homestead exemption filing is open – Persons who were at least 65 years of age, blind, or 100% disabled as of December 31, 2011, are entitled to a property tax exemption on the first $50,000 in appraised value on their residence. However, in order to get the tax exemption, the person must apply with the county auditor. Auditors are now accepting applications for the 2012 tax year. Contact your county auditor with questions.
Senate District 25 – Our Senate district has changed because of the 2010 census. The district now contains all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the new district map, go here.
Voting Record – If you’d like to see how I voted last week, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
Speaking with Groups – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.
Email updates – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.
Sincerely,
Shane Massey
Legislative Update for the Week of 4/23/12 – 4/27/12
April 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Here are the highlights from last week at the Statehouse -
Deepening of Charleston Harbor – The Port of Charleston is a huge economic engine for South Carolina, responsible for more than 20% of jobs in the state. The Port is one of the busiest ports on the East Coast and is a big reason for our resurgence in manufacturing.
When a project to expand the Panama Canal is completed in 2014, larger “Panamax” ships will be using the Atlantic ports. In order to accept those ships – and remain competitive for our industry – we must deepen the Charleston Harbor. The deepening project is expected to cost approximately $300 million.
The federal government has approved the project and has agreed to pay 40% ($120 million) of the cost of deepening the Harbor, but it has failed to fund its commitment. In its version of this year’s budget, the House of Representatives included $180 million to fund the state’s portion of the deepening. Last week, the Senate passed S. 1431, which would allow for $120 million in bonds if the federal government does not follow through on its promise. If passed by the House, this resolution will be a strong statement that South Carolina is determined to deepen the Charleston Harbor and be a real player in the competitive shipping market.
Governor/Lt. Governor on same ticket – Last Thursday the Senate passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would require the Governor and Lt. Governor to run together as a team. The Senate version would take effect with the 2018 election and require a candidate for Governor to select her running mate prior to being certified for the November ballot. This process would be similar to the way Presidential candidates select their Vice Presidential running mates. You can read the proposed language here.
The legislation will now go to the House of Representatives for its consideration.
“Tim Tebow” Bill – The Senate passed the “Equal Access to Interscholastic Activities Act” last week. The bill would allow students who attend charter schools, the Governor’s school, or home school to participate in extracurricular activities at the students’ resident public school. The bill is modeled after similar legislation in Florida that allowed Tim Tebow to play football at a public high school even though he attended home school. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. You can read the bill here.
Public School Choice and Open Enrollment – The Senate gave second reading to a bill that would require public schools to implement school choice options within the public school system and allow for students to attend any public school they choose, regardless of their zoned district. You can read the bill here.
Bills of Interest
SC Retirement System – There has been a good bit of media attention over the last several months about proposed changes to the state retirement system. The House of Representatives passed a significant overhaul of the system in March. A Senate subcommittee has been working on the bill for several weeks. Here’s a brief article discussing the subcommittee’s work.
Economic Development and Job Opportunities
Boeing rolls out first 787 Dreamliner – South Carolina was on the front page of newspapers across the world last week when Boeing rolled out the first 787 Dreamliner from the North Charleston manufacturing plant. Boeing already employs 6,000 people at the North Charleston site. Here is one of those articles discussing the milestone.
SC leading the way in the “mini-nuclear” age – Two weeks I ago I mentioned that SCE&G is building two new nuclear reactors at its V.C. Summer power plant in Fairfield County. A recent report indicates South Carolina – specifically, the Savannah River Site in Aiken County – could be at the forefront of new technology to develop mini nuclear reactors to supply energy across the globe. You can read the article here.
SC soon to be tire capital of US – In the last several months, Continental Tire announced that it will build a new manufacturing plant in Sumter while Bridgestone and Michelin announced significant expansions of their existing facilities. As a result, South Carolina has received a great deal of national attention for our tire manufacturers. Here are a couple recent articles from The State and the Associated Press, talking about South Carolina’s manufacturing resurgence.
Michelin expansion – Michelin recently announced plans to invest $750 million to build a new plant in Anderson and expand its existing plant in Lexington. The investment is expected to create 500 new jobs, more than half of which will be at the Lexington plant. You can read a couple articles about the new investment here and here.
Bridgestone hiring – The Bridgestone plant in Graniteville announced a significant expansion last Fall. They are now hiring for the new positions. For information on how to apply, go here.
Brasfield & Gorrie, the contractor for the new Bridgestone plant, is accepting applications for:
- Carpenter – must have own hand tools. Industrial Construction and concrete experience preferred. 5yrs experience preferred.
- Laborer – Industrial construction and concrete experience preferred. Must be able to lift up to 70lbs and work in all types of weather. 2 yrs experience preferred.
Applications will be taken at the job site trailer at 436 Old Vaucluse Road on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11am-3pm and Thursdays from 4pm-6pm. Preemployment drug screen required as are Safety Toe Boots.
MTU expansion – Tognum America announced recently that it will expand its Graniteville MTU plant. Here’s a press release from the department of Commerce.
If you know of a business that is hiring, please let me know. I’d love to include that information in the next newsletter so we can get the word out.
Last Week’s Meetings
On Monday afternoon, I attended a candidate screening by the Central Carolina Realtors Association and the Homebuilders Association of Greater Columbia. It was a great opportunity to meet with some of Lexington County’s leading real estate folks and answer their questions about my ideas and goals for another term in the Senate.
On Monday night, I attended the Edgefield County Water & Sewer Authority’s monthly meeting. Nearly 9,000 residential customers get water and/or sewer from the Authority. The board and Administrator Richard Shaffer do a great job; I appreciate them inviting me to their meeting.
On Wednesday, I chaired a Labor, Commerce & Industry subcommittee that examined right to work/union legislation and various agency regulations. Later that day I chaired a Judiciary subcommittee considering legislation dealing with class action lawsuits.
On Thursday morning, I attended the Edgefield County Interagency meeting at the Edgefield County Hospital. The Interagency group comes together monthly to discuss the best ways to provide services to Edgefield County residents. Thanks for asking me to come!
After the Senate finished business on Thursday afternoon, I attended a “Business After Hours” sponsored by the Lexington Chamber of Commerce. It was a great event, and I met a lot of new folks in our Senate district.
On Thursday night, I attended Saluda County’s GOP candidate forum. Our Senate district now includes approximately 40% of Saluda County (up from about 1/3 of the county). I enjoyed listening to voters’ concerns and ideas while also answering their questions. Thanks to everyone who came out!
On Friday afternoon/evening, WJBF News Channel 6 broadcasted live from Johnston as part of its “Your Hometown Tour.” I stopped by to thank Brad Means, Jennie Montgomery, and George Myers for visiting Johnston. During the 5:00 live broadcast, a car wreck caused a temporary distraction. I was even drafted to direct traffic until the local police were able to take charge! Here are some of the interviews WJBF conducted during the day.
On Friday night, I attended the Midland Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet at Bobby’s BBQ in Graniteville. MVHS senior Lauren Faircloth was selected as Student of the Year. Former Chamber president Al McCay was chosen as Citizen of the Year. Congratulations to Lauren and Al!
On Saturday afternoon, I dropped by the annual Relay for Life festivities at Strom Thurmond High School. Despite the temperature of nearly 90 degrees (it’s April for crying out loud!), a great crowd came out to support cancer research. It was a very good day.
On Saturday night, I attended Timmerman Performing Arts dance recital at Grace United Methodist Church in North Augusta. Liz Jordan and her dance students presented a fantastic performance of Cinderella!
On Sunday afternoon, I stopped the “Hats Off to Sisterhood” benefit for breast cancer survivors. This was a great follow-up to the Relay for Life event on Saturday.
Constituent Interests
Town Hall Meetings – I have held 10 town hall meetings so far this Spring, and I have three more scheduled. Please come out if you get a chance. These meetings are great opportunities for you to let me know how you feel about the issues and for me to keep you updated about what’s going on in Columbia. Here are the upcoming meetings:
Wednesday, 5/2/12
McCormick County Council Chambers
610 South Mine Street
McCormick, SC
7:00-8:00
Wednesday, 5/9/12
Lexington High School
Cafeteria
2463 Augusta Highway
Lexington, SC
6:00-7:30
Thursday, 5/10/12
Gilbert High School
Theater
840 Main Street
Gilbert, SC
6:00-7:30
I’m trying to schedule more meetings. I’ll keep you updated as we get them set.
Homestead exemption filing is open – Persons who were at least 65 years of age, blind, or 100% disabled as of December 31, 2011, are entitled to a property tax exemption on the first $50,000 in appraised value on their residence. However, in order to get the tax exemption, the person must apply with the county auditor. Auditors are now accepting applications for the 2012 tax year. Contact your county auditor with questions.
New Senate District – Our Senate district has changed because of the 2010 census. The district now contains all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the new district map, go here.
Voting Record – If you’d like to see how I voted last week, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
Speaking with Groups – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.
Email updates – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.
Sincerely,
Shane Massey
Legislative Update for the Week of 4/16/12 – 4/20/12
April 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Here are the highlights from last week at the Statehouse -
SC’s unemployment rate drops – Recent numbers indicate South Carolina’s unemployment rate has fallen below 9% for the first time since 2008. Even better, according to this article, South Carolina’s economy is now the 2nd strongest in the Southeast.
Our expanding manufacturing base is a big reason for the encouraging news.
State budget update – The Board of Economic Advisers met last week and reviewed tax collections for this year. For the fiscal year (June – July), tax revenues are $208 million (5%) more than collections at this time last year. The increased revenue is evidence of a slow but steady economic rebound.
The Senate will take up the state budget in early May. I expect a big fight on the Senate floor as to whether we should spend all the “new” money.
Interstate Healthcare Compact – The Senate passed legislation that would allow South Carolina to have more say over healthcare decisions. If approved by Congress, this bill would allow member states to work together for a better and more efficient healthcare system in those states. You can read an article about the bill here.
Governor/Lt. Governor on same ticket? – The Senate began debate last week on a proposed constitutional amendment that would require the Governor and Lt. Governor to run together on a ticket. Similar to the process whereby we select a President and Vice President, candidates for Governor would select running mates and campaign as a team. Here’s a copy of the bill.
I’m interested in your input: should the Governor and Lt. Governor run together, or should we continue to elect them separately?
Public School Choice and Open Enrollment – The Senate began debate last week on a bill that would require public schools to implement school choice options within the public school system and allow for students to attend any public school they choose, regardless of their zoned district. You can read the bill here. Also, here’s a short article with more information on the bill.
Texting while driving – Last week I served on a subcommittee that considered a ban on texting while driving. Although the House has passed a ban several times, the bill has been stuck in the Senate for more than a year. In an effort to get the bill moving, our subcommittee narrowed the scope so as to prohibit minors from texting while driving and prohibit all drivers from texting or talking on a cell phone while driving through school zones or work zones. The bill now goes to the full Senate Judiciary Committee. Here’s a story and video on the subcommittee meeting.
Bills of Interest
SC Retirement System – There has been a good bit of media attention over the last several months about proposed changes to the state retirement system. The House of Representatives passed a significant overhaul of the system last month. A Senate subcommittee has been working on the bill for several weeks. Here is an article discussing potential changes. Here’s a different article that analyzes the TERI system.
I expect the Senate will take up this legislation very soon. Stay tuned.
Open Carry of Firearms – I’ve received a lot of comments over the past week about a recently introduced bill that would allow individuals to carry weapons without a permit. Currently, South Carolinians can carry concealed weapons with a permit. This bill would eliminate the need for a permit and it would remove the requirement for individuals to keep their weapons concealed. You can also read the bill here. I appreciate your input!
Economic Development and Job Opportunities
SC soon to be tire capital of US – In the last several months, Continental Tire announced that it will build a new manufacturing plant in Sumter while Bridgestone and Michelin announced significant expansions of their existing facilities. As a result, South Carolina has received a great deal of national attention for our tire manufacturers. Here are a couple recent articles from The State and the Associated Press, talking about South Carolina’s manufacturing resurgence.
Michelin expansion – Michelin recently announced plans to invest $750 million to build a new plant in Anderson and expand its existing plant in Lexington. The investment is expected to create 500 new jobs, more than half of which will be at the Lexington plant. You can read a couple articles about the new investment here and here.
Bridgestone hiring – The Bridgestone plant in Graniteville announced a significant expansion last Fall. They are now hiring for the new positions. For information on how to apply, go here. Additionally, Bridgestone is now hiring machine technicians. To read an article about this specific job, go here.
MTU expansion – Tognum America announced recently that it will expand its Graniteville MTU plant. Here’s a press release from the department of Commerce.
If you know of a business that is hiring, please let me know. I’d love to include that information in the next newsletter so we can get the word out.
Last Week’s Meetings
On Monday night, I attended a joint meeting held by the Edgefield County Republican Party and the Edgefield County Republican Women. State GOP Chairman Chad Connelly was the guest speaker. It was a great meeting with a good turnout.
On Tuesday morning, I stopped by the PowerUP Lunch, sponsored by the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and several Lexington area churches. I wish I could have stayed for the whole lunch, but I had to get back to the statehouse for a vote!
On Tuesday night, I attended a membership meeting for the Aiken Electric Cooperative. Aiken Electric is a great community partner for Aiken and Edgefield Counties!
On Wednesday morning, I had breakfast with the Lexington Dawnbusters breakfast club. This is a great group of Lexington conservatives. I really enjoyed the conversation!
On Thursday night, I attended Lexington One’s Teacher of the Year Celebration. It was a great program, and I was extremely impressed with the Teacher of the Year candidates. We have some very creative and talented teachers, and we need to do a much better job of marketing them.
On Friday afternoon, I participated in the Aiken Board of Realtors candidate forum lunch. Congressman Joe Wilson was the keynote speaker, and candidates for several offices answered questions. I appreciate the Realtors for hosting the event!
On Friday afternoon, I attended a ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Dorn Grist Mill in McCormick. The McCormick County Historical Society has done a great job rehabilitating the old mill. I encourage you to stop by and take a tour!
On Saturday, I attended the unveiling of an historical marker for Leavelle McCampbell School in Graniteville. 2012 is the school’s 90th anniversary. There was a big turnout for this great day in Graniteville.
Constituent Interests
Redistricting article – Sunday’s edition of The State included an article on the newly redistricted House and Senate lines. The article focused on our Senate district. Go here to read the article.
STHS mock trial team – A few weeks ago I mentioned that Strom Thurmond High School’s mock trial won the state championship. The team is scheduled to participate in the national tournament in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 4 and 5. This past week, WRDW-TV did a story on the team. You can read the article and see the video here.
Homestead exemption filing is open – Persons who were at least 65 years of age, blind, or 100% disabled as of December 31, 2011, are entitled to a property tax exemption on the first $50,000 in appraised value on their residence. However, in order to get the tax exemption, the person must apply with the county auditor. Auditors are now accepting applications for the 2012 tax year. Contact your county auditor with questions.
Town Hall Meetings – I have held 10 town hall meetings this Spring, and I’m trying to schedule a few more. I’ll keep you updated as we get them set.
New Senate District – Our Senate district has changed because of the 2010 census. The district now contains all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the new district map, go here.
Voting Record – If you’d like to see how I voted last week, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
Speaking with Groups – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.
Email updates – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.
Sincerely,
Shane Massey
Senator Shane Massey – Crossover Approaches
April 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Senator Shane Massey explains how crossover is about to create a very busy time for the S.C. Senate.
Legislative Update for the week of 4/9/12 – 4/13/12
April 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Here are the highlights from last week at the Statehouse -
Job training for food stamps recipients – In recent updates, I have talked about South Carolina’s focus on – and national recognition for – training unemployed individuals so they will have the skills necessary to compete in the workforce. This past week, two state agencies announced plans to require unemployed individuals on food stamps to participate in job-training programs in order to keep the benefits. A similar program is already in place for individuals collecting welfare benefits. To read more about the program, go here.
Port lawsuit – There’s been a good bit of attention over the last several months about DHEC’s board issuing a permit to Georgia to dredge the Savannah River in order to deepen the port in Savannah. Savannah’s port competes directly with Charleston’s port, and our port is a huge economic driver for the state. Several groups joined together earlier this year and filed a lawsuit to rescind the permit. Last week, the South Carolina Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. You can read an article about the lawsuit here.
Restructuring in limbo? – On Tuesday, Speaker Bobby Harrell and Treasurer Curtis Loftis released a statement about the Senate’s amendments to the Department of Administration/Government Restructuring legislation. Specifically, the Speaker and the Treasurer expressed concern about South Carolina’s AAA credit rating. As someone who has been very involved in the restructuring movement, I’m interested to see the proposals to be offered by the Speaker and the Treasurer. I, too, want to maintain the credit rating, but I fear this is a well-planned attempt to resurrect the Budget & Control Board and preserve the status quo. 15 states have a AAA credit rating; 14 of them do not have a Budget & Control Board. Surely we can ensure “fiscal integrity” without undoing the progress made in the Senate. You can read the statement issued by the Speaker and the Treasurer here.
Angel Investors – On Thursday, a Senate subcommittee approved legislation to encourage “Angel Investors” to invest in South Carolina. The bill would provide a tax credit for individuals who provide start-up funds for new businesses. With recent reports of South Carolina attracting interest for life sciences, alternative energy, and other high tech businesses, this legislation could encourage more movement in that area. The bill still has a long ways to go before becoming law. To read a short article on the bill, go here.
Bills of Interest
Open Carry of Firearms – I’ve had a lot of comments and questions over the past week about a recently introduced bill that would allow individuals to carry weapons without a permit. Currently, South Carolinians can carry concealed weapons with a permit. This bill would eliminate the need for a permit and it would remove the requirement for individuals to keep their weapons concealed. I’m interested in your input. Here’s an article about the bill. You can also read the bill here.
Economic Development and Job Opportunities
New nuclear reactors – SCE&G is building two new nuclear reactors at its V.C. Summer plant in Jenkinsville (Fairfield County). The new reactors are among the first reactors approved for construction in the United States since the 1970s. South Carolina already gets over half its power from nuclear energy; these new reactors will go a long way toward supplying our future energy needs. Even better – it’s renewable and we don’t have to import it from foreign countries. Here is an article about the new reactors.
Michelin expansion – Last Tuesday, Michelin announced plans to invest $750 million to build a new plant in Anderson and expand an existing plant in Lexington. The investment is expected to create 500 new jobs, more than half of which will be at the Lexington plant. You can read a couple articles about the new investment here and here.
Bridgestone hiring – The Bridgestone plant in Graniteville announced a significant expansion last Fall. They are now hiring for the new positions. For information on how to apply, go here http://www.readysc.org/bato/ Additionally, Bridgestone is now hiring machine technicians. To read an article about this specific job, go here.
MTU expansion – Tognum America announced recently that it will expand its Graniteville MTU plant. Here’s a press release from the department of Commerce. http://sccommerce.com/news/press-releases/tognum-america-inc-expanding-aiken-county You can also read an article from The Aiken Standard, discussing the expansion.
If you know of a business that is hiring, please let me know. I’d love to include that information in the next newsletter so we can get the word out.
Last Week’s Meetings
On Monday night, I held a town hall meeting at Midland Valley High School. We had a good discussion about statewide issues and economic development.
On Tuesday morning, I attended a Lexington Chamber of Commerce breakfast and learned about new programs and updates at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. The airport is a huge economic engine for the Midlands.
After session on Tuesday, I drove to Bath for a town hall meeting at Jefferson Elementary School. We had a good conversation about redistricting, government restructuring, and the state budget. Thanks to those who came out!
Wednesday and Thursday were busy days at the statehouse. The Senate was in session, with several votes, on both days. And I got my exercise running between committee meetings.
On Thursday night, I had a town hall meeting at Merriwether Elementary School. We had a great crowd and a wide-ranging discussion about state and local issues. I really appreciate all the input.
On Friday afternoon, I had a couple meetings in McCormick. Then I drove over to Lexington High School for Mid Carolina Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting. There was a huge crowd – probably around 5,000 people – and I got to meet a lot of new folks. It was a busy, but fun, day.
Constituent Interests
Homestead exemption filing is open – Persons who were at least 65 years of age, blind, or 100% disabled as of December 31, 2011, are entitled to a property tax exemption on the first $50,000 in appraised value on their residence. However, in order to get the tax exemption, the person must apply with the county auditor. Auditors are now accepting applications for the 2012 tax year. Contact your county auditor with questions.
Town Hall Meetings – I have held 10 town hall meetings this Spring, and I’m trying to schedule a few more. I’ll keep you updated as they’re finalized.
New Senate District – Our Senate district has changed because of the 2010 census. The district now contains all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the new district map, go here.
Voting Record – If you’d like to see how I voted last week, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
Speaking with Groups – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.
Email updates – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.
Sincerely,
Shane Massey
Legislative Update
April 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Senate finished March by passing a number of important bills.
First, the Senate Republican Caucus passed a bill that will pave the way for charter school expansion in South Carolina.
Charter schools are an important part of the educational system in South Carolina, giving educators the flexibility to create schools that best fit the needs of the local community. They are public schools, funded and overseen by the state.
We have many great public schools in South Carolina, but in order to compete nationally, we need to encourage innovation in education. But for too long, local districts have often stymied charter schools’ efforts to get going.
The Senate passed a bill to streamline many aspects of charter school creation and the admissions process. It also sets new, simpler guidelines for charter school governance, and it allows colleges and universities to voluntarily sponsor these institutions. All in all, we believe it will stimulate the growth of charter schools in South Carolina and remove administrative roadblocks for those already operating.
Second, we passed a bill to prevent workers fired for misconduct from collecting unemployment benefits – a move that could save the unemployment system $50 million per year.
The bill is aimed at protecting businesses from having to pay out benefits for workers fired under these circumstances. It also protects consumers by keeping costs low, and protects taxpayers at a time when the state is still working to pay back loans made to the unemployment trust fund.
The changes to current law are necessary because a state agency’s broad interpretation of the old law resulted in $50 million in benefits awarded to people fired for misconduct last year alone. The bill will strictly define how to deal with these types of claims, making it consistent with federal law, and eliminating these unjustified benefits.
Third, the Senate is working to pass a bill that would free South Carolina from provisions of Obamacare and allow the state to regulate healthcare decisions within its own borders.
While we hope the Supreme Court does the right thing and strikes down Obamacare, we cannot wait, and have decided to act now. However, Senate Democrats are currently throwing up some procedural roadblocks to the bill.
The bill would make South Carolina a part of an interstate compact, in which each state joining the compact would gain the right to bypass federal healthcare regulations and instead allow the states to make those decisions. It would effectively negate Obamacare regulations like the health rationing panel. Similar legislation has already been passed in six states, and has been fast-tracked in four others.
We at the Senate Republican Caucus hope you have a restful Spring Break, and a great Easter spent with family.
Legislative Update for the week of 3/26/12 – 3/30/12
April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Senate will not be in session this week (4/2/12-4/6/12). Here are the highlights from last week at the Statehouse -
Unemployment benefits for fired workers – Last year the Department of Employment and Workforce paid roughly $50 million in unemployment benefits to workers who had been fired for cause. After serving on a subcommittee investigating these unjustified payments, I helped write legislation that would prohibit unemployment benefits being paid to people who habitually refuse to show up to work, fail drug tests, commit criminal acts while working, or consistently disobey employers’ instructions. The Senate passed that bill this week. To read a summary of the bill, go here.
Extended unemployment benefits coming to an end – South Carolina has historically allowed for 26 weeks of unemployment benefits when workers lose their job through no fault of their own. Because of extensions passed by Congress, many unemployed individuals have been able to collect benefits for up to 99 weeks (nearly 2 years). Last year, the General Assembly lowered South Carolina’s allowance to 20 weeks.
A subcommittee on which I serve heard this past week that recent changes in federal law mean that the federal extensions on unemployment will end this year. As a result, by the end of 2012, unemployment benefits will be capped at 20 weeks, as provided by state law. To read an article discussing these changes, go here.
SC leads the way in on-the-job training – A recent study shows South Carolina is a national leader in apprenticeship programs. These programs work in affiliation with our technical college system to help train workers for a new, technology-based economy.
Bills of Interest
House passes school choice – Last week the House of Representatives passed legislation that would allow tax credits for parents whose children attend private school, public school in another district, or homeschool. The bill will now go to a Senate committee for consideration. To read a summary of the bill, go here and here.
Economic Development and Job Opportunities
Bridgestone hiring – The Bridgestone plant in Graniteville announced a significant expansion last Fall. They are now hiring for the new positions. For information on how to apply, go here http://www.readysc.org/bato/ Additionally, Bridgestone is now hiring machine technicians. To read an article about this specific job, go here.
MTU expansion – Tognum America announced recently that it will expand its Graniteville MTU plant. Here’s a press release from the department of Commerce. You can also read an article from The Aiken Standard, discussing the expansion.
If you know of a business that is hiring, please let me know. I’d love to include that information in the next newsletter so we can get the word out.
Last Week’s Meetings
On Monday morning, I attended breakfast with student leaders and members of the legislative delegation at USC-Aiken. We had a great discussion about the university and higher education funding.
On Monday night, I held a town hall in Saluda County. I enjoyed meeting some new friends and talking about the issues facing South Carolina. Thanks to everyone for coming out!
On Tuesday morning, I had a meeting at the Edgefield County School District office to discuss state funding of K-12. Specifically, we talked about the budget recently passed by the House of Representatives. I look forward to talking about the state budget with more educators across our district in the coming weeks.
On Tuesday night, I held a town hall meeting in Graniteville. We had a lively discussion about government restructuring, education, and Medicaid. Thanks to those who came out!
On Thursday afternoon, I met with members of the Gilbert High School band. Gilbert’s band won the South Carolina AA championship this year! I enjoyed meeting director Hunter White and this great group of students. Congratulations, Indians!
On Friday morning, I met with some inspiring student leaders at USC-Aiken. The Leadership Exchange 2012 group included students from USC-Aiken, Converse College, and Suffolk University in Boston. We talked about education, politics, and the desperate need our country has for good, dedicated leaders. I really enjoyed the conversation!
On Friday afternoon, I toured the Edgefield County Hospital and met with hospital leadership about challenges facing the hospital. The Edgefield County Hospital is a great asset and is one of just 5 critical access hospitals in the state.
Constituent Interests
Aiken Department of Public Safety receives accreditation award – The Aiken Department of Public Safety recently received the Accreditation with Excellence Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement. In earning this honor, Aiken Public Safety becomes just the third law enforcement agency to win the award. To read a story on the award, go here.
Homestead exemption filing is open – Persons who were at least 65 years of age, blind, or 100% disabled as of December 31, 2011, are entitled to a property tax exemption on the first $50,000 in appraised value on their residence. However, in order to get the tax exemption, the person must apply with the county auditor. Auditors are now accepting applications for the 2012 tax year. Contact your county auditor with questions.
Town Hall Meetings – I have held 6 town hall meetings so far this Spring, and I have one meeting – in Edgefield – this week. These meetings are great opportunities for me to keep you updated about what is happening in the General Assembly and, more importantly, allow me to hear from you. I hope you can make it to one of these meetings. Here is a list of upcoming meetings –
4/5/12
Edgefield County Council Chambers
225 Jeter Street
Edgefield, SC
6:00-7:30
4/9/12
Midland Valley High School
Auditorium
227 Mustang Drive
Graniteville, SC
6:00-7:30
4/10/12
Jefferson Elementary School
Cafeteria
170 Flint Drive
Bath, SC
6:00-7:30
4/12/12
Merriwether Elementary School
565 Spring Haven Drive
North Augusta, SC
6:00-7:30
I am still working to schedule a couple town hall meetings in McCormick County. I hope to have those set soon. I will announce the meetings as they are scheduled.
McCormick County magistrate, Jake Trantham, to retire – Summary Court Judge Jake Trantham has told me he plans to retire in the very near future. Judge Trantham has done a great job for McCormick County, and I really appreciate his service. If you’re interested in serving as a magistrate in McCormick, please check the “McCormick County Magistrate Information” page on my website.
New Senate District – Our Senate district has changed because of the 2010 census. The district now contains all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the new district map, go here.
Voting Record – If you’d like to see how I voted last week, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
Speaking with Groups – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.
Email updates – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.
Sincerely,
Shane Massey
Legislative Update for the Week of 3/19/12 – 3/23/12
March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Here are the highlights from last week at the Statehouse -
Charter School Bill – Following debate on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Senate passed H. 3241, a bill that would update the laws related to charter schools. Some of the highlights of H. 3241 are:
- colleges and universities could sponsor charter schools. Now, only local school districts or the statewide charter school district can sponsor charter schools.
- single-gender charter schools could be created.
- charter school students could compete for and participate in extracurricular activities at their resident public school if the charter school does not offer those activities.
The bill now goes back to the House of Representatives for consideration. To read the version passed by the Senate, go here.
Budget Update –The Board of Economic Advisers (BEA), the entity in charge of revenue projections, met last week to review tax collections and analyze South Carolina’s financial situation. For the fiscal year (July 2011 – June 2012), South Carolina has collected $207.1 million more in tax revenue (income, sales, and corporate taxes) than at this point last year. That’s a 3.4% increase from last year. Those numbers indicate South Carolina’s economy continues to make steady progress.
House approves pension bill – There has been a good bit of media coverage of proposals to make changes to the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS). Most state, local, and school employees are members of SCRS. The House of Representatives passed a bill last week that would make significant changes to the SCRS. To read a summary of the House’s bill, go here.
This bill still has a long ways to go before becoming law. Although a Senate committee has been studying the issue for some time, the Senate has not yet taken up a bill to address the deficiencies in the SCRS. However, I expect the Senate will debate that legislation soon. It’s safe to bet that the Senate will make significant changes to the House’s version of the bill. I will keep you updated as the legislation makes its way through the Senate.
High School graduation rates – A recent national report indicates South Carolina had the 3rd largest increase in high school graduation rates since 2002. Unfortunately, at 66% our graduation rate falls well below the national average of 75%. Therefore, although we’re making progress, keeping our children in school remains a tremendous challenge for South Carolina. Here’s a short summary of the report.
Bills of Interest
Common Core Education Standards – As I’ve mentioned in previous emails, in 2010 the State Board of Education adopted Common Core, a program that would establish a national set of standards to prepare K-12 students for college and careers. Proponents argue Common Core creates higher educational standards that will better prepare our students for college and careers in the 21st century. Opponents express concern that Common Core would actually lower our standards and place much of our K-12 curriculum in the hands of a national organization rather than having those decisions made in South Carolina. The Senate Education Committee had a brief discussion about Common Core in a meeting last month, and I expect it will come up again at a meeting this week. I appreciate the valuable input many of you have provided.
Economic Development and Job Opportunities
Bridgestone hiring – The Bridgestone plant in Graniteville announced a significant expansion last Fall. They are now hiring for the new positions. For information on how to apply, go here. Additionally, Bridgestone is now hiring machine technicians. To read an article about this specific job, go here.
MTU expansion – Tognum America announced last week that it will expand its Graniteville MTU plant. Here’s a press release from the Department of Commerce. You can also read an article from The Aiken Standard, discussing the expansion.
If you know of a business that is hiring, please let me know. I’d love to include that information in the next newsletter so we can get the word out.
Last Week’s Meetings
On Tuesday, Leadership Aiken County visited the Statehouse. I was able to speak with them briefly during a break. I really appreciate the young talent that has stepped up to make Aiken County a great place to live and work!
On Wednesday afternoon, I attended a meeting with leaders in SC Bio, an organization devoted to advancing South Carolina’s life sciences industry. SC Bio reports that there are nearly 600 life sciences companies in South Carolina that employ over 13,500 people at an average wage of over $53,000. Although we do a poor job of marketing it, South Carolina is a national leader in developing and advancing new technologies. SC Bio is a great example!
On Thursday morning, I visited with the current Leadership South Carolina class. We had a great discussion about challenges facing South Carolina and ideas to address those challenges. Leadership South Carolina does a great job to bring all aspects of South Carolina together to work on ways to improve our state.
On Thursday night, I attended the McCormick County Republican Party’s annual dinner. As usual, well over 100 people attended the meeting. I had a great time, and I really appreciate the invitation!
On Friday night, Blair and I attended the Ruby Slipper Gala in Aiken. The Gala is a big fundraiser to support local charities and is the kick-off for the Aiken Steeplechase. The Steeplechase, which was held on Saturday, attracted over 30,000 people.
Constituent Interests
Town Hall Meetings – I have 2 town hall meetings this week – in Saluda and Graniteville. These meetings are great opportunities for me to keep you updated about what is happening in the General Assembly and, more importantly, allow me to hear from you. I hope you can make it to one of these meetings. Here is a list of upcoming meetings –
3/26/12
Richland Ruritan Club Building
217 Richland Creek Rd.
Saluda, SC
6:30-8:00
3/27/12
Leavelle McCampbell Middle School
Cafeteria
82 Canal Street
Graniteville, SC
6:00-7:30
4/5/12
Edgefield County Council Chambers
225 Jeter Street
Edgefield, SC
6:00-7:30
4/9/12
Midland Valley High School
Auditorium
227 Mustang Drive
Graniteville, SC
6:00-7:30
4/10/12
Jefferson Elementary School
Cafeteria
170 Flint Drive
Bath, SC
6:00-7:30
4/12/12
Merriwether Elementary School
565 Spring Haven Drive
North Augusta, SC
6:00-7:30
I am still working to schedule a couple town hall meetings in McCormick County. I hope to have those set soon. I will announce the meetings as they are scheduled.
McCormick County magistrate, Jake Trantham, to retire – Summary Court Judge Jake Trantham has told me he plans to retire in the very near future. Judge Trantham has done a great job for McCormick County, and I really appreciate his service. If you’re interested in serving as a magistrate in McCormick, please check the “McCormick County Magistrate Information” page on my website.
New Senate District – Our Senate district has changed because of the 2010 census. The district now contains all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the new district map, go here.
Voting Record – If you’d like to see how I voted last week, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
Speaking with Groups – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.
Email Updates – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.
Sincerely,
Shane Massey
