Last week was the 5th week of the 2018 session. Here are the highlights from the Senate:
VC SUMMER – The Senate spent a good bit of time last week discussing S. 954, a resolution that would prohibit the PSC from making a decision on the abandonment request and the Dominion/SCANA merger proposal for up to a year. The purpose of the resolution is to ensure everyone has sufficient information before a decision is made. This is a significant issue for SCANA employees, retirees, customers, and the state as a whole. It is important that the public, legislators, and regulators make informed decisions on this very consequential issue.
DOMINION CEO TO RETURN THIS WEDNESDAY – On Wednesday, the Senate’s special committee assigned to investigate VC Summer will hear from Dominion CEO Tom Farrell. Mr. Farrell will answer questions about the proposed merger between Dominion and SCANA. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. You can watch a live stream of the meeting here.
JUDICIAL ELECTIONS – Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives and Senate met in joint assembly to elect judges to certain positions. Here is a recap of those elections:
Supreme Court – Seat 3: Associate Justice John W. Kittredge was re-elected.
Court of Appeals – Seat 8: Judge Thomas E. Huff was re-elected
Circuit Court – 3rd Judicial Circuit: Kristi Fisher Curtis
Circuit Court – 4th Judicial Circuit: Judge Roger E. Henderson re-elected
Circuit Court – 5th Judicial Circuit: Judge L. Casey Manning re-elected
Circuit Court – 7th Judicial Circuit: Judge Grace Gilchrist Knie re-elected
Circuit Court – 8th Judicial Circuit: Judge Eugene Cannon Griffith, Jr. re-elected
Circuit Court – 10th Judicial Circuit: Judge R. Scott Sprouse re-elected
Circuit Court – 11th Judicial Circuit: Judge William P. Keesley re-elected
Circuit Court – 11th Judicial Circuit: Walton J. McLeod, IV
Circuit Court – 12th Judicial Circuit: Judge Michael Nettles re-elected
Circuit Court – 13th Judicial Circuit: Judge Letitia Hamilton Verdin re-elected
Circuit Court – 13th Judicial Circuit: Alex Kinlaw, Jr.
Circuit Court – 14th Judicial Circuit: Judge Perry M. Buckner, III re-elected
Circuit Court – 16th Judicial Circuit: William A. McKinnon
Circuit Court – At-Large, Seat 9: Jennifer Blanchard McCory
Family Court – 2nd Circuit: Angela W. Abstance
Family Court – 3rd Circuit: Thomas M. Bultman
Family Court – 6th Circuit: Debra A. Matthews
Family Court – 8th Circuit: Matthew Price Turner
Family Court – 11th Circuit: Huntley Smith Crouch
Family Court – 12th Circuit: FitzLee Howard McEachin
Administrative Law Court – Seat 5: Judge Shirley Canty Robinson re-elected
Last Week’s Meetings
On Tuesday morning, I participated in a conference call with several other senators and statewide press to discuss issues before the General Assembly this year.
On Tuesday morning, I was able to visit with a group from Sardis Baptist Church in Saluda who was touring the statehouse.
On Wednesday morning, I made a quick stop at Lexington County Farm Bureau’s annual breakfast before heading to a breakfast meeting with Governor Henry McMaster and several other senators to discuss V.C. Summer.
On Wednesday night, I attended a roundtable for the SC GOP to discuss issues before the General Assembly.
On Thursday afternoon, I spoke to an AP Government class at Gilbert High School.
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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