“It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said state Rep. Ronny Townsend, R-Anderson, chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee and a 22-year veteran.

A dozen House members, including Townsend, have opted not to seek re-election in 2006. They recently looked back on their years of service with, they said, a great deal of pride and a sense of accomplishment.

“I have no regret,” said state Rep. Dan Tripp, R-Greenville, a 12-year veteran. “It has been a good run.”

But there is a negative side. It’s called time pressures.

Lawmakers have to balance their time between their regular jobs and families, and the three days each week from January to June that they devote to doing the state’s business in Columbia.

They are paid $10,400 a year.

“You’re getting to the heart of why I decided not to run,” said Tripp, who has a wife and two small children at home.

“The time demands are awful,” said state Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, who is wrapping up 30 years of sometimes controversial public service. “Members sacrifice a lot to serve.

“Working people just can’t afford to serve. The time demands are so great.”

Altman and Tripp think the session should be shortened to allow members to spend more time with their families.

South Carolina has one of the longest legislative sessions in the country.

It has been suggested the session be shortened to four months. Otherwise, only the rich and the retired will be able to serve, some members say.

For the most part, however, the veteran legislators had nothing but positive things to say about their service.

Handing down advice for his successor, Townsend said it is more important today than ever before for representatives to listen to their constituents and ask their opinions.

State Rep. Jim McGee, R-Florence, said he found his years in the House to be a “refreshing thing.”

McGee has represented the people of Florence for nine years.

But, he added, “That’s graciously plenty. For me, it’s time for someone else to have the job. If I stay too long, I become too Columbia and less Florence.”

As he leaves politics, McGee plans to return full time to his old haunts in Florence. There, he plans to spend much of the summer months building up his law practice, not running for re-election.

Townsend said he leaves with concern about the increasing influence of outsiders on S.C. politics.

He mentioned South Carolinians for Responsible Government, specifically. The group has fought for school tuition tax credits and is fueled, critics say, by out-of-state dollars. The organization has not released a list of its donors.

“Outside forces want to tell my constituents how I should vote,” Townsend complained.

Others who are retiring also were highly critical of special interest groups and their mounting influence on legislators.

“It’s a terrible cancer that has got to be cut out,” Altman said. “Theses groups are demonizing decent men and women.”

Reach Bandy at (803) 771-8648.