Legislative Delegation Looks Ahead to 2024
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Five members of the Anderson County Legislative Delegation outlined some of their priorities for the upcoming year at the annual Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast Monday.
S.C. Sen. Mike Gambrell, the senior member of the group, said constituent services remains his highest priority for 2024. Gambrell, expects another good budget year, with a surplus.
“Our economy is humming,” said Gambrell, who commended the county and city governments for their part in the growth.
S.C. Sen. Richard Cash, who recently announced he will seek re-election to his seat in November, is targeting tort reform, where businesses found liable are paying more than their portion of the judgment.
Cash also said judicial reform will be a hot topic in 2024.The majority has put together what Cash called the simplest reform, which allows all candidates who come out of the judicial committee to be considered, as opposed to the current limit of three. Limits on medication and treatment for gender transitioning of minors is also on Cash’s agenda, along with the Constitutional Carry of guns, which allows for the legal carrying of a handgun in public without a license or permit.
S.C. Rep. Don Chapman said he has learned a lot in his first year in the General Assembly, and that he has learned a lot, and taken a strategic approach to the position.
Cybersecurity, especially cybercrimes against children and senior citizens, will continue to be a major issue in the year ahead. He supports a law prohibiting the use of phones while driving unless hands-free devices are being used. And Chapman is targeting a non-classified drug Kratom, an opioid-like drug being sold in convenience stores, which is causing addictions problems across the state.
S.C. Rep. Jay West said energy will continue to be a big concern in the year ahead.
“Generation of electricity is a big deal for South Carolina right now,” said West, who added that a number of outside groups were lobbying for the state to experiment with unproven methods as part of the approach. “South Carolina cannot be an experiment for other states.” West said he sees the future as small modular nuclear reactors for energy.
West said a new app for parents, students and guidance counselors to show all jobs, requirements, and scholarships is also expected this year. He also hopes to help pass a bill to increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $75,000.
S.C. Rep. Thomas Beach expects to target public drag queen events where children might be present in the year ahead. His second goal is to end income taxes on overtime pay.
S.C. Rep. Anne Thayer and S.C. Rep. Craig Gagnon were not present for the event.