Stopping the Revolving Door in our Prisons:
To make South Carolina a safer place for us all to raise our families, it is time we stop the revolving door for repeat criminals.
H. 3532, was passed out of the Criminal Laws Subcommittee this week and will be taken up by the full Judiciary Committee next week. This bill creates an additional criminal offense and penalty for committing an additional violent crime while out on bond and would result in automatic revocation of bond for the first violent crime and a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 5 years.
Judge Elections:
On Wednesday, a Joint Assembly of Senate and House members voted for several open and contested races for judges throughout SC. Perhaps the most important election was for an open seat on the SC Supreme Court. We elected Judge Gary Hill to our Supreme Court. I am proud to have cast my vote for Gary who will replace Justice Kay Hearn who is retiring. Judge Hill made it clear during the selection process that he does not support legislating from the bench. The separation of powers is a critical element to our form of government and is essential to respecting the rule of law. Congratulations to the Honorable David Garrison "Gary" Hill.
Mount Pleasant Town Council Goes to Columbia:
Municipal Association Day in Columbia was this past Tuesday. Our Town Administrator and Clerk of Council organized a reception for all State Legislators. It was great to visit with my friends and former colleagues on Town Council, and to hear their concerns and requests regarding problems to be solved for our citizens. I have co-sponsored several bills that address specific issues for our community, including one that would allow Accommodations Taxes that have always been required to be used for attracting tourism to now be allowed to help pay to encourage workforce housing. We can't keep attracting more people to Mount Pleasant to visit, yet not have anywhere that hospitality, healthcare, first responders, education and other vital workers can afford to live. Thanks to the Mount Pleasant Town Council and Staff for hosting such a wonderful event!