I wanted you to know that last Wednesday I officially filed for reelection to the House District 108 seat.
I’ve been privileged and honored to serve the residents of the district in Columbia. I share the conservative values of Georgetown and Charleston County residents and want to continue representing their interests in the House. I ask for your continued support.
Last Monday, after casting 211 votes, the state budget bill passed the House. The bill uses the state’s record surplus to cut taxes, improve our roads, raise pay for teachers, law enforcement officers, and state employees, and increase our reserves.
Georgetown County and the City of Georgetown will greatly benefit from a proviso I included in the budget bill that transfers the dormant SC Ports Authority property, 250 acres on the Sampit River, to Georgetown County for economic development.
I was glad to work with officials from the SPA, county and city to reach an agreement on the property transfer, which will eventually turn the property into a working waterfront, creating needed jobs for the area and enhancing the tax base. I believe this has the potential to lift the county and city to an entirely new level.
Thanks to my Georgetown County Legislative Delegation colleagues, Rep. Carl Anderson and Senators Stephen Goldfinch and Ronnie Sabb, for their support and help.
Last week House Speaker Jay Lucas announced his retirement. I have great respect for Speaker Lucas. He’s been an outstanding leader for the House and very kind to me with a Majority Whip appointment and assignment to the powerful Ways and Means Committee, for which I’m so grateful.
Congratulations to my Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Murrell Smith, who is slated to be the next House Speaker in December.
Also, my congratulations to Dr. Gerald Harmon of Tidelands Heath, who last month served as Doctor of the Day for the House for the 30th year. We’re proud of Dr. Harmon’s service on a national level as the president of the American Medical Association.
This week the House will be on furlough. We’ll resume on March 29th and have just seven weeks left in the session.
I hope you have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt