It is often difficult - and frustrating - to understand why the wheels of change don't turn fast enough in the legislative arena.

How difficult is it for your family to agree on where to eat dinner, what TV show to watch or what movie to see?

Put 124 vastly different people in the room - men, women, young adults, senior citizens, Democrats, Republicans, blacks and whites - and ask them to agree on one measure that benefits all. It's a mighty task - one faced every day by the S.C. House of Representatives. It's what the true magic of a democratic system is all about.

In just nine weeks of the 2005 legislative session, House members have worked together to pass legislation important to the people of our state. In my 25 years in the General Assembly, I have never witnessed a more productive start to a legislative session.

The House has already passed a sweeping Jobs Creation Act targeting small businesses - the backbone of our economy here in South Carolina. The bill allows companies creating at least two jobs a year to receive tax credits. It encourages investment in high-tech and start-up businesses and offers incentives for investing in new companies.

Two bills critical to our state's economic viability - tort and medical malpractice reform - have been approved by both the House and Senate. The tort reform bill thwarts frivolous lawsuits and jury shopping to better protect S.C. citizens and businesses from unscrupulous lawsuits and jury verdicts.

The medical-malpractice bill places a $350,000 cap on non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering). It also protects doctors assisting in life and death emergency situations from being unfairly targeted for damage outside of their control. Both bills will soon reach the governor's desk.

The House also passed Gov. Mark Sanford's income tax plan to reduce the tax rate from 7 percent to 4.75 percent over 10 years, as well as government restructuring - another issue the governor is pushing. The restructuring bill allows voters to decide whether the superintendent of education and secretary of state should be appointed by the governor, rather than elected by the citizens of our state.

Among the many other key measures passed by the House thus far are:

A bill to make it easier to establish charter schools in our state.

An amendment to the state constitution stipulating that marriage is strictly between a man and a woman.

A bill to give local school districts more flexibility in how best to target revenue to their specific needs.

Two bills to shorten the legislative session - saving taxpayer dollars and encouraging more participation in the legislative process.

Recently, the House made history by adopting the state budget 107 to 0. It fully funds education and Medicaid and increases law enforcement.

Leading means following through on those good ideas, working and compromising to make them palatable to a very diverse body of individuals. It's what democracy is all about.