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Article published Dec 12, 2004
Pre-filed bills include new and repeat ideas to improve
state
State lawmakers pre-filed 223 bills last week, many of
which represent items that should be priorities for the General Assembly.Some of
the matters in the bills are leftovers from this year's legislative session.
They are good ideas that didn't make it into law for a variety of reasons. They
should be acted on when lawmakers reconvene next month.The pre-filed bills
include legislation that would enact Gov. Mark Sanford's plan to gradually lower
the state's income tax rate. That would improve the state's business climate,
creating jobs and spurring economic growth.Bills that would reform the state's
civil litigation system have been pre-filed. These bills would limit jackpot
lawsuits and discourage frivolous suits. Medical malpractice reform also would
lower the cost of health care.The legislature will also consider bills that
would continue the job of government restructuring. Lawmakers began this work
during Gov. Carroll Campbell's administration. It's long past time to finish the
job. More government agencies should be added to the governor's Cabinet rather
than continuing to report to little-known and unaccountable boards and
commissions.A bill that would establish a statewide charter school district
should be passed when lawmakers return to Columbia. It would streamline the
process to create charter schools and circumvent district school boards, which
have been reluctant to approve schools that will operate outside of their
control.Legislation that would limit the size of state government should be
approved by lawmakers. In addition to a bill that would limit the growth of the
state budget by linking it to inflation and the growth of the state population,
there is legislation that would establish a system to evaluate whether state
programs and agencies are still necessary. These could result in significant
savings for taxpayers.There was much worthwhile legislation that never made it
through the General Assembly this year. It is already being revived again for
next year's session, and, in some cases, is being augmented with new ideas.
Lawmakers should work diligently next year to enact these policies into state
law.MONDAY: A look at some pre-filed bills that should be killed.