Here are the highlights from the 3rd week of the 2018 session in the Senate:
NUISANCE LAWSUITS – The Senate spent most of its time last week debating H. 3653, a bill that would limit nuisance lawsuits against existing manufacturing and transportation facilities. South Carolina has been a target state for manufacturers for a number of years.
Many South Carolinians are employed in manufacturing all across the state. That is the especially the case in our Senate district. These manufacturing facilities typically locate in rural areas, but residential growth often pushes up close to the existing businesses. The purpose of this bill is to provide protection from nuisance lawsuits for those existing manufacturing facilities that operate in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. The Senate will continue discussion of the bill on Tuesday.
STATE OF THE STATE – Governor Henry McMaster delivered his first State of the State Address last Wednesday night. If you missed the speech, you can watch a replay HERE or read a copy HERE.
COMING THIS WEEK – I expect some spirited discussion in committees this week. The Senate Judiciary Committee will debate a bill that would, if enacted, outlaw abortions except to save the life of the mother and a bill to allow residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit, among others. The Senate Corrections Committee will discuss options to ensure the Department of Corrections can carry out capital sentences. There will also be a good bit of subcommittee work, including action on legislation relating to VC Summer. If you’d like more information about these bills—or any others—please let me know.
Last Week’s Meetings
On Wednesday morning, I met with several residents of Saluda County to discuss legislative issues.
On Wednesday night, I attended Governor McMaster’s State of the State Address.
On Thursday night, I attended McCormick Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet.
On Sunday, I attended a ribbon cutting for the new building for Edgefield Family Healthcare and Peachtree Medical Clinic.
Constituent Interests
SCDOT PROJECTS – SCDOT Secretary, Christy Hall, recently appeared before the Senate Transportation Committee to present an annual State of the SCDOT. You can view Secretary Hall’s power point presentation here.
SCDOT’s website provides a good bit of information about projects across the state. You can see a list of statewide priorities here and a map with all projects here.
WANT TO SEE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ACTION? – The Senate meets in statewide session on Tuesdays at 2:00, Wednesdays at 12:00, and Thursdays at 11:00. Committees and subcommittees meet Tuesday mornings, Wednesday mornings, and Thursday mornings. You can watch live coverage of the Senate, House of Representatives, and committees here.
OUR SENATE DISTRICT – Senate district 25 consists of all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the district map, go here.
VOTING RECORD – If you’d like to see how I’ve voted on issues, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, 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.
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