Each Friday, Beaufort Chamber President Ian Scott shares the “Friday Five” and the blog will now serve as another tool to highlight important information for Chamber and community members. Here’s an excerpt from last week’s update:
Local Leadership in Columbia – the S.C. General Assembly is back in session and the Beaufort County Delegation holds some prominent leadership roles this session. Five members of our local delegation chair standing House or Senate Committees:
- Jeff Bradley, Chairman, House Regulations Committee
- Chip Campsen, Chairman, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee
- Tom Davis, Chairman, Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee
- Shannon Erickson, Chairman, House Education and Public Works Committee
- Weston Newton, Chairman, House Judiciary Committee
Committee Chairs wield significant influence in the lawmaking process by making assignments, setting agendas, directing staff and populating subcommittees. A delegation with seniority is a good thing for our community.
Statehouse Update – legislative work is underway in Columbia. Here are some noteworthy early session items include:
- Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act (3726) – New House Ad-Hoc Economic Development and Utility Modernization Committee released its first legislative proposal aimed at streamlining and centralizing all workforce development efforts.
- DHEC Division (399) – Senate leaders legislation introduced that would divide the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) into two separate cabinet-level agencies.
Education Scholarships (S.39) – Senate began debate on a bill that would provide $6,000 scholarships to qualified students based on need to cover tuition, fees, and other expenses for children to attend private schools.