A unique spirit of cooperation in the 2005 session enabled the S.C. General Assembly to pass important legislation. Lawmakers worked together for the common good — setting aside partisanship for teamwork. The result is several major steps forward in creating a better standard of living and quality of life for South Carolinians.

We’ve addressed critical issues such as job creation, education and health — and this is just the beginning. I am encouraged by what I’ve seen in the Legislature this year and am committed to fostering continued collaboration in the coming sessions.

Educational initiatives abound in this year’s legislative agenda. We understand that our children are the state’s future teachers, business leaders and government officials, and we are dedicated to ensuring a bright future for the next generation.

For example, in 2005 we passed the Education and Economic Development Act. The bill enables students to begin a study focus such as health science, finance, information technology or arts and humanities as early as the 10th grade. This law is an important means of addressing the quality of life and standard of living for our graduates.

The Students Health and Fitness Act of 2005, which was widely supported by both parties, is another important milestone in both health care and education. This legislation tips the scales in favor of South Carolina’s youth with a renewed focus on physical education and well-rounded nutrition in our state’s schools. The goal of this bill is to combat obesity, reduce medical expenditures from state Medicaid funds and ultimately help students perform better in school.

Legislation passed in 2005 will also move South Carolina’s economy forward. For example, the Corporate Income Tax Moratorium Act provides a tax break that will encourage companies to create jobs in the state’s rural communities. The Tax Credit Carry Forward Act assists our state’s manufacturers. And the Job Creation Act allows a small business to qualify for a job creation tax credit after hiring only two people.

Economic development initiatives are indeed a major focus of South Carolina lawmakers. Tort reform bills now limit lawsuit awards in medical malpractice cases with a $350,000 cap on pain and suffering. The South Carolina Innovation and Research Centers Act will leverage the state’s academic resources to increase research and drive economic development, and the Venture Capital Investment Act will provide capital to early stage research and start-up enterprises. This strategic focus on business-friendly legislation is creating an environment in which businesses can grow and create quality jobs in our state.

Though a large focus of 2005 was on job creation, education and health, the Legislature did not neglect other key areas of importance. The Highway Funding Set Aside Act passed this year redirects an estimated $70 million generated by the vehicle and driving-related taxes to repair our state’s secondary roads and to fortify our state’s infrastructure bank for future needs.

A common thread is woven throughout the accomplishments of the session: a spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship not seen in our state in more than a decade, and rarely seen in a legislative body. This year we were able to bridge the gap between political parties to create and pass legislation that serves our citizens.

Perhaps the biggest indication of strong cooperation is the fact that the state budget was unanimously passed in the House, something that has not happened in more than 25 years. House members united behind a budget that prioritizes education and fully funds it to the Education Finance Act levels.

The proof is in the numbers. We have fully funded the base student cost, at $2,290, for the first time in several years, which raises total per student funding to $9,826. The budget also provides for repaying the trust funds, hiring more law enforcement officers, giving raises to state employees, fully funding Medicaid and incorporating many of the governor’s cost-saving strategies to help state agencies increase efficiency.

In future sessions, we must — and we will — continue with a spirit of bipartisan cooperation. I am convinced that both sides of the aisle want the best for South Carolina.

As we move forward, the General Assembly is charged with looking closely at where the state needs to go, making a plan to get there and turning the vision into reality. This year’s tremendous progress on multiple fronts proves what we can accomplish when men and women, Democrats and Republicans, veterans and newcomers alike work together to improve South Carolina.

Rep. Harrell is the speaker-elect of the S.C. House.