A banner year for Legislature

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Many of the bills were aimed at making this state more competitive, raising the standard of living of state residents and helping South Carolina businesses compete more effectively in the knowledge-based global economy. And for getting that agenda through the Legislature, much credit goes to a consortium of the state's leading business groups.

The groups — the state Chamber of Commerce, the nonpartisan Palmetto Institute, the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness and the Palmetto Business Forum — announced their goals in early January. Then the groups worked tenaciously to advance their agenda in making this a more business-friendly state. And they held lawmakers accountable, something this state's business community has been slow to do.

Lawmakers did their part, too, taking seriously their role to promote prosperity and enhance quality of life in this state. Gov. Mark Sanford again saw little of his personal agenda enacted into law, but he can claim at least a partial victory for an income tax cut for small businesses.

Highlights of the legislative session that ended Thursday include: (1) The business tort reform bill that should end this state's unwanted distinction of having one of the worst civil justice systems in the nation, (2) a paring down of the governor's proposal for income tax cuts that limited the tax relief to small businesses instead of also including individual taxpayers, (3) caps on medical malpractice lawsuits, (4) a domestic violence bill that strengthens penalties for these crimes once swept under the rug, (5) tougher penalties for harassment and stalking, (6) a primary seat-belt law that could save lives by penalizing people for not buckling up (Gov. Sanford should sign this bill), (6) a bill that requires many businesses to offer mental health coverage in their insurance plans, (7) the Jobs Creation Act that gives tax breaks to small businesses, (8) the Education and Economic Act that encourages students to better prepare for the world of work, (9) and Speaker-elect Bobby Harrell's highway funding bill that will ensure more money that's supposed to go to maintain and repair state roads does, indeed, go for that purpose.

Blessed with healthy revenue growth, lawmakers were able to provide the basic funds needed for students in public schools, give state workers a pay raise and add sorely needed law enforcement officers.

Gov. Sanford saw no action on his school choice plan that was too sweeping, and too costly, for this poor state. A scaled-down version that focuses on low-income families should be put on the table next year. Also, the governor got nowhere with his effort to continue restructuring state government so it is more efficient and accountable.

All in all, it was a noteworthy year for the Legislature. Even though they left some items that beg for attention next year, lawmakers have reason to celebrate their accomplishments over the past five months.