Beaufort chamber luncheon to reveal lawmakers' plans
This story was updated Jan. 5 to reflect that the Legislative Luncheon is now sold out.
Just how much of the additional $1.2 billion in the state's new budget will come to Beaufort County?
That's a question sure to be asked Wednesday as the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Legislative Luncheon. The sold-out meeting, which brings together area lawmakers for a panel discussion, begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Callawassie Island Club.
Area state lawmakers will present plans for the upcoming legislative session and the chamber will present its agenda based on member feedback. Expected to present are state Sens. Margie Bright Matthews, Tom Davis and Chip Campsen, and Reps. Bill Bowers, Jeff Bradley, Shannon Erickson, Bill Herbkersman, Kenneth Hodges and Weston Newton.
The chamber's requests will include a Hunting Island State Park beach renourishment, roads and bridges work and a commitment to military matters.
Among the possible uses discussed for the extra money on the state level are roads and bridges repair, schools and flood recovery.
Davis, R-Beaufort, told The State newspaper that some of the extra money could be used for roads. Lawmakers will again take up a proposed gas tax to help fund road repairs, a measure Davis opposed with a lengthy filibuster during last year's legislative session.
Revenue is not the issue, he has said.
"The problem is a politically driven expenditure process that directs money to unnecessary new projects at the expense of routine repairs and maintenance," Davis wrote on his Facebook page in November.
On Tuesday, Davis posted about the upcoming legislative session and the bill to raise gas taxes is first up for debate.
With the Facebook message, he included a photo of an electronic road work sign with the message: "Tom Davis is talking. Expect delays."
Follow reporter Stephen Fastenau on Twitter at twitter.com/IPBG_Stephen.
Related content:
- State Rep. Kenneth Hodges will not seek re-election this year, Jan. 4, 2016
- Margie Bright Matthews to become second woman serving in S.C. Senate, Oct. 20, 2015
- State Senate candidate Margie Bright Matthews pays delinquent taxes ahead of auction, Oct. 11, 2015
This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Beaufort chamber luncheon to reveal lawmakers' plans."