Press Room

Citizens saving stripers
Chronicle-Independent, June 16, 2008
When I look back on the 2008 Legislative session, one particular piece of legislation comes to mind as a great example of the power of citizens to make a difference and how democracy ought to work. more ...

Net metering generates jobs, clean energy for SC
Chronicle-Independent, May 19, 2008
If you have been to a gas station recently, you know that energy costs have a major impact, not just on our national economy, but our personal budgets. As we search for more sustainable energy sources, South Carolina has an opportunity to capitalize on innovative solutions that ease the crunch, protect the environment, and help our economy grow. more ...

Improving accountability in state government
Chronicle-Independent, April 23, 2008
This week the House will consider a portion of a larger bill that was authored by and originally filed by Senator Sheheen in the Senate, and that I later filed as a companion bill in the House. “The Government Accountability Act of 2008” has received some positive attention lately and is currently on the House calendar waiting its turn to be debated on the floor. more ...

House approves budget
Chronicle-Independent, March 24, 2008
The S.C. House approved on March 12 a $7.2 billion budget for state spending. This time each year I pull out for this column some of the items in the budget that are important to the citizens of Kershaw County. more ...

Small businesses vital to SC economy
Chronicle-Independent, February 25, 2008
Try to describe what’s unique about Kershaw County, and more than likely you’ll quickly point to our restaurants, retail shops, and services that add local flavor to our community. These establishments are appreciated as part of our community not only for their friendly and capable service, but also for their contributions to our economy as employers and taxpayers. more ...

Positive reform for school testing and accountability
Chronicle-Independent, February 4, 2008
For those of you who believe that students spend too much time testing and not enough time learning, you will be pleased to know that some members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are working on a proposal to fundamentally change the way students are tested. more ...

Broad, sustained efforts can shut door on gangs
Chronicle-Independent, December 31, 2007
I, along with the entire community, was stunned and saddened by the recent events of the shooting death of Michael Smith and the gang involvement of those associated with the shooting. While our community heals and searches for ways to prevent further tragedy, work is ongoing at the state level to tackle this destructive and dangerous gang problem. more ...

Closing the digital divide in South Carolina
Chronicle-Independent, December 3, 2007
Times change. At one time, rural South Carolina welcomed into its homes the longawaited delivery of telephone lines and electricity. Today, much of rural South Carolina finds itself once again cut-off from the modern world as access to broadband connectivity is predominately limited to more densely populated areas – for city folk. more ...

Would a peach by any other name taste as sweet?
Chronicle-Independent, November 7, 2007
When you went grocery shopping this past weekend, you probably noticed that there was no state tax charged on your groceries. I was proud to advocate for and vote for this tax cut for the citizens of South Carolina. Eliminating the grocery tax is an example of what the State of South Carolina should be doing to make lives better for all of our citizens. But when it comes to food, South Carolina can be doing more to ensure quality for consumers and a robust local agricultural economy. more ...

SC needs electronic waste policy
Chronicle-Independent, October 8, 2007
Technology is great. Computers, televisions, and other electronic devices are an integral part of our everyday lives. We demonstrate this fact by being avid consumers of everything electronic and striving to keep up as the electronics industry introduces the next upgrade or “gotta have it” product. All of this technological activity does come at a price, though; electronic waste is one of the fastest growing and most problematic waste streams in the nation. more ...

Great leaders among us
Chronicle-Independent, September 10, 2007
Imagine being put into a group and assigned the task of improving on the Declaration of Independence. If you are remotely familiar with the resonating language and powerful principles contained in that great document, you will agree that this was a daunting, almost sacrilegious, assignment. This is an example of one of many discussions that I participated in during my week at the Aspen Institute, a week devoted to the principles of positive leadership. more ...

Bold plan for SC schools
Chronicle-Independent, August 13, 2007
The summer months after the end of a legislative session afford the opportunity to reflect and regroup. Some debates stand out as being critically important, but few are as important to SC’s future as those that focus on education. With the successful veto of the Open Public School Enrollment bill, the legislature missed an opportunity to create real, positive change in our public education system. more ...

Legislative session nearing end
Chronicle-Independent, June 18, 2007
The last regularly scheduled week of the 2007 session of the General Assembly was very busy, as many bills bounced back and forth between the House and Senate as proponents sought concurrence, while some bills ended up in a conference committee. A major issue between the House and Senate was reaching an agreement on a Sine Die resolution. This resolution determines when the General Assembly returns to Columbia and what business it will take up. The General Assembly agreed to return to Columbia this week and the following week to complete work on bills that are in conference committees – chief among them the budget and DOT reform, and to take up the Governor’s vetoes. more ...

Legislative Update
Chronicle-Independent, May 21, 2007
As the session moves into its final weeks, the pace of introduction of new legislation has slowed substantially. However, the General Assembly is working diligently to consider and take action on the close to 5000 Senate and House bills that have been filed so far this session. This report provides a summary of a few of the many important issues on which the House took action this past week. more ...

KC’s economic future at the starting gate
Chronicle-Independent, April 23, 2007
Kershaw County has been given a gift. Decades of influential and visionary people, along with our ideal location, have helped build our area’s reputation as a “horse town.” Camden and Kershaw County are home to the many aspects of the horse industry, including owners, trainers, breeders, riders, veterinarians, event facilities, and support services such as blacksmiths, tack suppliers, feed dealers, barn builders, and real estate agents who assist in locating horses and their owners to our area. more ...

House of Representatives passes budget
Chronicle-Independent, March 26, 2007
The House spent the second week of March debating the budget. The $7.3 billion budget passed by a vote of 112-1, and has been sent to the Senate for debate. As is usually the case, the budget will end up in a Conference Committee, assigned to work out the differences in the spending plans of the two bodies. more ...

Healthy Families and Strong Businesses
Chronicle-Independent, February 26, 2007
Last March I wrote about the Democratic plan to provide health insurance to thousands of South Carolinians who are uninsured. The majority of the uninsured are working people and children of working people. While the plan did not pass last year, there has been some movement that makes me hopeful that we will see some progress this session. more ...

South Carolina legislature addresses gang activity
Chronicle-Independent, January 29, 2007
Since 2002, gang activity has almost doubled, accounting for almost 700 criminal charges in 2005. These charges included such crimes as murder, rape, and kidnapping, although aggravated assault, simple assault, intimidation, and robbery represented most of the activity reported. It is obvious that South Carolina is facing a serious gang problem that demands attention. more ...

My hope is that we celebrate our hometown more
Chronicle-Independent, January 03, 2007
As part of our recent Christmas celebration this year my family sat down to watch “My Home Town,” the recently restored film of 1946 Camden, South Carolina.

It was truly a treat, especially to see the reaction of my 87-year old grandfather as the places and people of years past appeared on the screen. Many fond times sprang to memory, and my family became the beneficiary of some of Papa’s wonderful tales. more ...

The impact of tax legislation
Chronicle-Independent, December 04, 2006
Next month, the 117th South Carolina General Assembly will convene. Many of the discussions will continue those begun last session. Other efforts will be made to improve past legislation. It is not unusual for the legislature to re-examine legislation. I expect that further analysis of and discussion of the full effect of the property tax legislation that passed this past session will e licit an effort to make adjustments and improvements to it. more ...

New Cancer Vaccine Offers Hope
Chronicle-Independent, November 06, 2006
A recent medical breakthrough offers hope that at least one form of cancer may be eradicated with the aid of a new vaccine.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer-killer of women worldwide, with almost a quarter-million deaths each year. In the United States, the American Cancer Society estimates 9,710 women will be diagnosed with and more than 3,700 women will die of cervical cancer in 2006. In South Carolina, about 200 cases are diagnosed each year.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of almost all cervical cancer. more ...

Have you visited your state park lately?
Chronicle-Independent, October 09, 2006
According to the National Park Service, corporate CEOs say quality of life for employees is the third-most important factor in locating a business, behind only access to domestic markets and availability of skilled labor. Additionally, the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration reported that owners of small companies ranked recreation, parks, and open space as the highest priority in choosing a new location for their businesses. more ...

Kidney disease devastating for SC
Chronicle-Independent, September 11, 2006
I bet that no one was surprised to read the results of a recent study by the Trust for America’s Health that pinned South Carolina as the eighth most obese state in the nation. We all know the culprits: poor diet, lack of exercise, poverty. Greater public awareness has resulted in increased emphasis on fighting childhood obesity by community groups, schools, and governments on all levels. more ...

Young people deserve ongoing commitment
Chronicle-Independent, August 14, 2006
During graduation season last spring, a prominent national politician was criticized for delivering a “what’s wrong with kids these days?” speech.

While I didn’t have the opportunity to hear the speech, only the commentary surrounding it, I did consider the circumstances in which our children and young people find themselves and how well they are able to navigate through them. So, what’s it like being a young person these days? more ...

Mass transit needs mass support
Chronicle-Independent, July 17, 2006
Kershaw County got some interesting news earlier this month when a study conducted by the Central Midlands Council of Governments found that the corridor from Camden to Columbia ranked highest as the most promising for the future implementation of a commuter rail. The study examined three potential routes: Camden to Columbia, Newberry/Chapin to Columbia, and Batesburg-Leesville to Columbia. The study based its evaluation on five criteria: potential ridership, access to stations and land use support, cost of implementation, public opinion, and ease of implementation. more ...

Achieving true equity for early childhood education
Chronicle-Independent, May 22, 2006
Manning’s Judge Thomas W. Cooper, Jr.’s ruling in Abbeville County School District, et al. vs. The State of South Carolina, et al. late last year concluded that the “students in the Plaintiff Districts are denied the opportunity to receive a minimally adequate education because of the lack of effective and adequately funded early childhood intervention programs designed to address the impact of poverty on their educational abilities and achievements.” more ...

Opportunities taken, opportunities missed
Chronicle-Independent, April 24, 2006
The House passed its budget at the end of March to the Senate where budget deliberations are currently ongoing. The House’s $6.44 billion budget made strides in rebuilding important services and programs that experienced deep cuts during recent lean budget years. In addition, the House addressed increased costs that arose naturally and from programs that were formerly paid for with federal funds while also putting money aside to restore reserve accounts. more ...

Working Families, Healthy Families
Chronicle-Independent, March 27, 2006
There are hundreds of thousands of South Carolina citizens who lack health insurance, and the majority of the uninsured is comprised of working people. Small business owners are struggling to afford swelling premium costs so that they might keep their valued employees. It may be shocking to know that many of our SC children are uninsured. more ...

Better Times Produce Less Contentious Budget Debate
Chronicle-Independent, March 23, 2006
The SC House passed its version of the 2005-2006 budget last week. What a relief to be able to report to my constituents that the first budget during my tenure as your Representative is, overall, a good budget and reflects the improving fiscal condition of our state. Persons with an institutional memory state that this is the first time in their recollection that the budget has passed the House on second reading... more ...

Our growing priorities
Chronicle-Independent, February 27, 2006
Two thousand nine hundred — that’s the number by which Kershaw County’s population increased from 2000 to 2004, for a total population of 55,491. This increase of 5.4 percent is higher than the South Carolina average growth rate of 4.6 percent, and our county is expected to continue to grow at an accelerated pace. Are we prepared to handle this growth while continuing to enjoy the quality of life that makes us proud to call Kershaw County home? more ...

Getting the best technology here, now
Chronicle-Independent, January 30, 2006
I have signed on in support of the South Carolina Competitive Cable Services Act, legislation now under consideration in the General Assembly which promises to change the landscape of cable services in our state. Currently, cable television companies negotiate exclusive agreements with the hundreds of individual cities and counties in South Carolina. This drawn-out manner of securing service agreements can delay the ability of our citizens to enjoy the benefits of technological innovations, such as Internet Protocol Television, which now allows video services to be carried over phone lines. more ...

A defining debate for 2006
Chronicle-Independent, January 02, 2006
As we start a new year, it is appropriate that I begin the discussion about the issue that will likely dominate the 2006 legislative session: the property tax. The property tax has become a very important tax for two reasons: 1) it is tied to education funding and 2) it is an important revenue source for local governments. Any proposal to reform property tax is going to be controversial. more ...

Holiday Wish List
Chronicle-Independent, December 5, 2005
It’s been years since I wrote out a Wish List. Times have gotten a bit more complex since the days when, as a child, I would pour through the Sears Wish Book for my favorite things. For one thing, I can’t pour through a Sears Wish Book anymore – I have to go online. My wishes have gotten quite a bit more complex, too. Even though I’m not a child anymore, I thought it might be nice, in the spirit of the holidays, to share a few of the items on my list with you. more ...

Our Community Table
Chronicle-Independent, November 7, 2005
Perhaps this Thanksgiving you will sit down to a feast with a plump, farm fresh, pastureraised turkey from the Salt Pond Community as the centerpiece. Or, perhaps the sweet potatoes and collard greens on your table were grown in the Pine Grove or Antioch Communities. Maybe the honey you drizzle over those biscuits was harvested from beehives in Rembert. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But is it so good because it is local, or is it so good because I know it is local? The answer is a little of both. more ...

Help for rural counties struggling to keep up
Kershaw County Current, August 3, 2005
Rural areas in South Carolina are often caught at an economic disadvantage. Historically, these areas are plagued with poor educational opportunities, lack of economic development, and high unemployment rates. The problems are often cyclical: few or no economic opportunities limit the tax base; schools suffer without a broad tax base; and businesses and industry won’t locate in an area with poor schools or which lack needed infrastructure. more ...

New equine survey is good horse $ense
Chronicle-Independent, July 27, 2005
Sir Winston Churchill once said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” Considering the number of horses in Kershaw County, there must be something about a horse that is good for the economy, especially in our area. more ...