Recently I was made aware of concerns by Mt. Pleasant and law enforcement officials about attempted efforts by adults to lure children into cars or vans, sometimes using puppies as lures, and the inability to charge the person with a crime.
It's sickening to know there are people out there trying to take advantage of children to harm them.
Last week, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Charleston, and I introduced a bill, H. 5006, to make child luring a crime and keep our children safe. Our bill is modeled after Florida's child luring law and has been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Most of last week in the House was spent clearing the uncontested bill calendar and getting those bills to the House floor for a vote.
My beachfront jurisdiction line reform bill is now scheduled for debate on the House floor March 6th. In the meantime, I'm meeting with SCDHEC officials to iron out some details on the property owners' appeal process.
On Wednesday it was Myrtle Beach Night at the State House, and a good opportunity to meet with area leaders. I enjoyed speaking with Murph Fore, Horry-Georgetown Tech President; Brad Dean, Myrtle Beach Chamber Executive Director; Austin Beard, Georgetown County Council Vice-Chair; Don Smith, Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors President; and many others.
Myrtle Beach Night happened to coincide with the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism's announcement on Wednesday that tourism spending in SC grew to a record $21.2 billion. Tourism supports one in ten jobs in the state and generates more than $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenues. It's a vital industry to Georgetown and Charleston counties.
And finally, I attended the East Cooper Republican Club meeting in Mt. Pleasant on Monday. It was a great opportunity to meet and talk with Charleston County constituents and hear from the GOP gubernatorial candidates.
I'm thankful for the honor of serving District 108 in the House! Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt
P.S. I'm up for reelection this year. Please donate to my reelection campaign today by clicking here and make the largest donation that you can afford. I really need your help. Thank you in advance!