I hope you and your family had happy holidays.
I wanted you to know the legislative session starts this Tuesday in Columbia.
I believe the most important issues for the legislature are:
*The need for continued education reform.
*Passing a fiscally responsible budget that provides some taxpayer relief with the estimated $1.8 billion surplus.
*Protecting our coast from offshore oil drilling
*Deciding what to do with debt-ridden state-owned utility Santee Cooper.
Possibly as early as next week, recommendations on bids received to either buy, manage or internally reform Santee Cooper will be presented to the legislature. My decision will be based on the best long-term interests of Santee Cooper ratepayers.
On Saturday, I’ll attend the Conservation Voters’ Legislative Kick Off event in Litchfield. One of the topics of discussion will be our continuing efforts to prevent offshore oil drilling and seismic testing off our state.
We can’t put our coastal economy and environment at risk from an oil spill.
Last year, I cosponsored legislation, H. 3087, which would effectively prohibit the onshore infrastructure needed for offshore oil drilling and seismic testing. The bill should be up for a vote on the House floor this month.
I wanted to make sure you had this link to my official House webpage, where you can find the bills that I have either sponsored or cosponsored, view my voting record, search for bills and access video feeds of the House sessions and committee meetings.
It’s a privilege to serve District 108 in the House of Representatives! Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt