Accomplishments of the 1999 Legislative Session

Education Tops the Agenda. From the Legislature to the business community, people who care about our state are lining up behind Governor Jim Hodges to make improving our schools South Carolina's top priority.

The Education Lottery. After nearly a decade of debate, a constitutional amendment authorizing a state lottery received final legislative approval on May 27,1999. South Carolinians will have the chance next year to approve a measure that constitutionally commits lottery proceeds to education.

New School Construction. In a historic 58-57 vote, the House of Representatives agreed with a Senate plan that provides $1.1 billion for school construction needs at South Carolina public schools, colleges and universities. This is the largest school construction initiative since the early 1950s.

First Steps to School Readiness. The General Assembly approved Gov. Hodges' plan to put more children on the road to starting school healthy and ready to learn. The South Carolina First Steps early childhood education program received $20 million in start-up funding for Fiscal Year 1999-2000.

Compact with Our Children. In addition to legislative initiatives, Governor Hodges recognizes the importance of parents, teachers and students working together. In March, Governor Hodges rolled out a statewide "Compact with Our Children," which pledges parents to provide a positive learning environment at home and encourages parental involvement at school.

Focus on Reading. The Legislature provided $3 million for the Governor's Institute of Reading. This program is designed to ensure that all children learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. The Institute will review the best practices of reading instruction, provide teachers with professional development in reading and award competitive grants to schools for developing successful reading programs. The Governor opens his office weekly for reading sessions with elementary school students. The Governor and First Lady regularly visit schools, read to students and give them books.

Reducing Class Size. The Legislature took steps toward Gov. Hodges' goal of reducing student teacher ratios in the primary grades. This year's budget provides for no more than an average of 18 students for each first, second and third grade teacher.

Accountability. Governor Hodges established a strong relationship with the Education Oversight Committee as well as business leaders who are at the front of the accountability movement.

Teacher Pay. Teacher salaries are funded at $325 above the Southeastern average.

Teacher Quality Summit. Governor Hodges believes South Carolina needs to attract the best and brightest teachers possible. He is working with Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum on a teacher quality summit. The forum is intended to retain good teachers, help teachers become more effective and encourage more top students to enter teaching as a profession. The group will make specific recommendations to the 2000 General Assembly.

Safer Schools. With the help of bipartisan support, the General Assembly approved $7 million to place safety officers in South Carolina schools. Also, the South Carolina Safe Schools Task Force convened June 9 under the bipartisan leadership of Gov. Hodges, Attorney General Charlie Condon and Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum. At the conclusion of the task force meetings, a comprehensive report will be published which will serve as a blueprint for future policy initiatives and a resource for local districts.

Alternative Schools. The Legislature provided $6 million for alternative schools for discipline.

Laptops. Lawmakers provided $1 million for a pilot program allowing students to work with laptop computers and SAT preparation software.

Law Enforcement
SLED Background Checks. In one of his first acts as Governor, Governor Hodges issued an Executive Order on January 29, 1999 requiring the State Law Enforcement Division to conduct background checks on applicants for Class III Video Poker licenses in South Carolina.

Speed Limits. On April 30, 1999, Governor Hodges signed a measure sponsored by Rep. Jake Knotts, which raises the speed limit on some interstate highways to 70 mph. The new law also lowers the speed limit on unpaved rural roads to 40 mph.

Driver Privacy. On May 28, 1999, Governor Hodges signed into law a measure that prohibits the Department of Public Safety from selling motor vehicle license information to a private entity. The law specifically bans the sale of a driver's height, weight, race, Social Security number, signature or photograph.

Trooper Pay Raise. Governor Hodges approved a 5 percent pay increase for highway patrol officers, transport police, and protective service officers employed at Tiers 1 through 4. The pay raise takes effect January 1st.

New Trooper Class. The budget also appropriates $8.5 million to hire a new class of 50 state troopers.

DMV Modernization. Governor Hodges also approved a $10 million appropriation that will modernize computer systems at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Tax Relief
Senior Tax Relief. The legislature approved a measure proposed by Governor Hodges that raises the income tax exemption for seniors to $15,000. This exemption will completely eliminate state income tax for 30 percent of South Carolinians age 65 and older.

Retiree Refunds. Governor Hodges signed legislation allowing retirees to amend state income tax returns to take a greater deduction. These deductions will yield an extra $4 million in income tax refunds for retirees.

State Employee Benefits
Pay Increase. The General Assembly approved a 4 percent pay increase for state employees. State employees will receive a 3 percent increase in base pay proposed by Governor Hodges in his State of the State address, plus a 1 percent merit pay increase.

401(k) Match. In another program advocated by Governor Hodges, the General Assembly approved a plan by which state government will match employee contributions to the state Deferred Compensation Plan up to $25 per month.

Small Business
Y2K Readiness. In March, Governor Hodges announced that South Carolina was the first state in the nation to join with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a collaborative effort to help small businesses prevent disruptions caused by the Year 2000 bug.

Governor Hodges also convened the Coalition for Year 2000 Readiness, consisting of 25 representatives from the state's financial, education, utility, health and transportation communities. The Coalition is a public-private partnership that will promote Y2K awareness, resource sharing and contingency planning within South Carolina.

Health Care
Children's Health Care. The General Assembly approved a measure endorsed by Governor Hodges that provides health insurance coverage to 12,454 more children under the age of 19 who are below 165% of the poverty level ($27,561 for a family of four).

Long Term Care Beds. The General Assembly, with concurrence from Governor Hodges, added 100 new Medicaid nursing home beds for those areas of the State with the fewest number of beds per thousand population 65 or older.

Environment
Interagency Council on Natural Resources Policy. On February 4, 1999, Governor Hodges issued an executive order establishing the Interagency Council on Natural Resources Policy. The council consists of members from the environmental, business, regulatory and the academic communities of South Carolina. The Council will identify major environmental problems, issues, or needs in South Carolina, and develop action plans for the consideration of the Governor, the General Assembly and state agencies to address those concerns.

On June 3, 1999, Governor Hodges appointed Hank Stallworth, formerly an Assistant Deputy Director at the Department of Natural Resources, to chair the Council.

Agriculture
Tobacco Settlement. In January, Governor Hodges joined with governors of other tobacco growing states in Raleigh, North Carolina to reach a tentative agreement with tobacco companies. Under terms of the agreement, tobacco growing states would receive $5.15 billion over the next 12 years to compensate tobacco farmers and quota holders.

Town Hall Meeting. In March, Governor Hodges held a town hall meeting at the Pee Dee Research Center in Florence to discuss the tobacco settlement with farmers and community leaders in the Pee Dee region.

Tobacco Escrow Fund. On June 1, 1999, Governor Hodges signed the Tobacco Fund Escrow Act, sponsored by Rep. Jim Battle, which establishes a reserve fund to guarantee an eventual source of recovery from tobacco companies who are not a party to the tobacco settlement.