I wanted you to know that another bill I cosponsored passed the House on Wednesday.

The flounder bill, H. 3665, which increased the minimum size limit to 15” and reduced the per person limit to 10 fish per day and boat limit to 20 fish per day, passed the House 108-0 and is now in the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee. Click here for media coverage.

Also, on Wednesday I joined Rep. Eric Bedingfield (R-Greenville) for a news conference to introduce a series of bills to help combat the growing opioid and heroin addiction problem. Rep. Bedingfield’s 26 year old son died last year from a heroin overdose after a long period of addiction, starting with prescribed medicine. Click here for WISTV coverage of the news conference.

Rep. Lee Hewitt, left, with Rep. Eric Bedingfield at state House news conference. (Photo: WISTV)

The State reports that in 2015, 515 South Carolinians died from overdosing on opioids. That number is likely even higher for last year. We’ve got to get a handle on this problem as soon as possible. I’m committed to helping Rep. Bedingfield pass this legislative package.

On Thursday, a bill that would ask voters in 2018 to amend the state constitution to have the Governor appoint the state Superintendent of Education passed the House. I voted for the bill because it would allow the Governor to directly oversee the delivery of public education to South Carolina’s children and be held accountable for the results. In 38 states, the Governor makes this appointment.

This week the state pension reform and gas tax bills should hit the House floor for debate, which may make for some long days.

Today, Monday, Feb. 27th, I’ll be attending the Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire District Board meeting. I appreciate the great work the fire district does in fire protection and emergency medical services.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt