NO. 4

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 10:30 a.m.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by Rev. Charles E. Seastrunk, Jr., as follows:

Our thought for today is from Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Let us pray. God, teach us to be strong and courageous in You, as we do the work required of us. God, we understand everything is not smooth or nice or peaceful. Help us to remember to be strong and courageous as we know You are with us wherever we go. Bestow Your blessings upon these Representatives and staff as we continue to do the tasks set before us. Bless our defenders of freedom and first responders, as they protect us. We pray for our Nation, President, State, Governor, Speaker, staff and all who lead us and all who labor in this vineyard. Heal the wounds, those seen and those hidden, of our brave warriors, who suffer and sacrifice for our freedom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers. Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE ordered it confirmed.

Rep. FINLAY moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of former Representative Thomas Moffatt Burriss, Sr., which was agreed to.

The following was introduced:

H. 3474 (Word version) -- Rep. Bernstein: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE HAMMOND SCHOOL BOYS VARSITY SOCCER TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS, AT A DATE AND TIME TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SPEAKER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THEM ON THEIR OUTSTANDING SEASON AND FOR CAPTURING THE 2018 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 3475 (Word version) -- Rep. Finlay: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE HAMMOND SCHOOL EQUESTRIAN HUNT SEAT TEAM AND WESTERN EQUESTRIAN TEAM, THEIR COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS, AT A DATE AND TIME TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SPEAKER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING RECOGNIZED AND COMMENDED FOR CAPTURING THEIR RESPECTIVE 2018 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 3476 (Word version) -- Reps. Collins, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brown, Bryant, Burns, Calhoon, Caskey, Chellis, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Forrester, Fry, Funderburk, Gagnon, Garvin, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, Johnson, Jordan, Kimmons, King, Kirby, Ligon, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mace, Mack, Magnuson, Martin, McCoy, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, McKnight, Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, B. Newton, W. Newton, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Ridgeway, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simmons, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Toole, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten, Young and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO SALUTE THE EASLEY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND, BAND DIRECTORS, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A SENSATIONAL SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON WINNING THE 2018 SOUTH CAROLINA BAND DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 3477 (Word version) -- Rep. Collins: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE EASLEY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND, BAND DIRECTORS, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS, AT A DATE AND TIME TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SPEAKER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING RECOGNIZED AND COMMENDED FOR WINNING THE 2018 SOUTH CAROLINA BAND DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 3478 (Word version) -- Reps. King and McDaniel: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVE SON DONNIE MCCLURKIN, WORLD-RENOWNED GOSPEL SINGER, COMPOSER, RADIO HOST, AND MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, AND TO RECOGNIZE HIM FOR HIS STRONG SUPPORT OF THE CHESTER COMMUNITY.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 3479 (Word version) -- Reps. King and Brawley: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE FELLAS, INC., OF ROCK HILL FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S STRONG SUPPORT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ROCK HILL COMMUNITY AND TO THANK THE FELLAS FOR ENABLING THESE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO TRAVEL THE PATH TO ADULTHOOD WITH A SENSE OF PRIDE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 3482 (Word version) -- Reps. Clemmons, Crawford, Fry, Hardee, Bailey, Johnson, Hewitt, McGinnis, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bales, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brown, Bryant, Burns, Calhoon, Caskey, Chellis, Chumley, Clary, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Forrester, Funderburk, Gagnon, Garvin, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, Jordan, Kimmons, King, Kirby, Ligon, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mace, Mack, Magnuson, Martin, McCoy, McCravy, McDaniel, McKnight, Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, B. Newton, W. Newton, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Ridgeway, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simmons, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Toole, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten, Young and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE MYRTLE BEACH HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACHES ON THEIR IMPRESSIVE WIN OF THE 2018 CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 3480 (Word version) -- Reps. Huggins, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brown, Bryant, Burns, Calhoon, Caskey, Chellis, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Forrester, Fry, Funderburk, Gagnon, Garvin, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, Johnson, Jordan, Kimmons, King, Kirby, Ligon, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mace, Mack, Magnuson, Martin, McCoy, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, McKnight, Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, B. Newton, W. Newton, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Ridgeway, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simmons, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Toole, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten, Young and Yow: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR JAMES HENRY "JIM" MILLS ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE CHAPIN HALL OF FAME.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following was introduced:

H. 3481 (Word version) -- Reps. Huggins, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brown, Bryant, Burns, Calhoon, Caskey, Chellis, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Forrester, Fry, Funderburk, Gagnon, Garvin, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, Johnson, Jordan, Kimmons, King, Kirby, Ligon, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mace, Mack, Magnuson, Martin, McCoy, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, McKnight, Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, B. Newton, W. Newton, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Ridgeway, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simmons, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Toole, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten, Young and Yow: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR WILLIAM F. "BILL" ZEIGLER ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE CHAPIN HALL OF FAME.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following Bills were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:

H. 3483 (Word version) -- Rep. Hiott: A BILL TO REPEAL SECTION 3 OF ACT 138 OF 2016 RELATING TO THE AUTOMATIC REPEAL OF STATUTORY PROVISIONS REQUIRING CERTAIN COAL COMBUSTION RESIDUALS BE PLACED IN A CLASS 3 LANDFILL.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

H. 3484 (Word version) -- Rep. Clemmons: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 27-33-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEFINITIONS OF TERMS RELATING TO LANDLORDS AND TENANTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A "TENANT AT WILL" AND A "TENANT AT TERM" TO EXCHANGE COMPENSATION WITH THE LANDLORD.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 3485 (Word version) -- Rep. Jefferson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3535, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR MAKING QUALIFIED REHABILITATION EXPENDITURES FOR A CERTIFIED HISTORIC STRUCTURE, SO AS TO REMOVE A PROVISION ALLOWING THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY TO ESTABLISH FEES, TO PROVIDE THAT A TAXPAYER CLAIMING THE CREDIT MUST PAY A FEE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY FOR THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT FUND, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP AN APPLICATION PROCESS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-5060, RELATING TO VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY AN INDIVIDUAL BY MEANS OF THE INCOME TAX RETURN CHECK OFF, SO AS TO ADD THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:

Alexander              Allison                Anderson
Atkinson               Bailey                 Bales
Ballentine             Bamberg                Bannister
Bennett                Bernstein              Blackwell
Bradley                Brawley                Brown
Bryant                 Burns                  Calhoon
Caskey                 Chumley                Clary
Clemmons               Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter
Cogswell               Collins                B. Cox
W. Cox                 Crawford               Daning
Davis                  Dillard                Elliott
Erickson               Felder                 Finlay
Forrest                Forrester              Fry
Funderburk             Gagnon                 Garvin
Gilliam                Gilliard               Govan
Hardee                 Hart                   Hayes
Henderson-Myers        Henegan                Herbkersman
Hewitt                 Hill                   Hiott
Hixon                  Hosey                  Howard
Huggins                Hyde                   Jefferson
Johnson                Jordan                 Kimmons
King                   Kirby                  Ligon
Loftis                 Long                   Lowe
Lucas                  Mace                   Mack
Magnuson               Martin                 McCoy
McCravy                McDaniel               McGinnis
McKnight               Moore                  Morgan
D. C. Moss             Murphy                 B. Newton
W. Newton              Norrell                Ott
Pendarvis              Pope                   Ridgeway
Rivers                 Robinson               Rose
Rutherford             Sandifer               Simmons
Simrill                G. M. Smith            Sottile
Spires                 Stavrinakis            Stringer
Tallon                 Taylor                 Thayer
Trantham               Weeks                  West
Wheeler                White                  Whitmire
R. Williams            S. Williams            Willis
Wooten                 Young

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. CHELLIS a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. PARKS a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. THIGPEN a leave of absence for the day.

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. V. S. MOSS a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. TOOLE a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.

Rep. ROBINSON signed a statement with the Clerk that she came in after the roll call of the House and was present for the Session on Tuesday, January 8.

Announcement was made that Dr. John C. Ropp III of Hartsville was the Doctor of the Day for the General Assembly.

In accordance with House Rule 5.2 below:

"5.2 Every bill before presentation shall have its title endorsed; every report, its title at length; every petition, memorial, or other paper, its prayer or substance; and, in every instance, the name of the member presenting any paper shall be endorsed and the papers shall be presented by the member to the Speaker at the desk. A member may add his name to a bill or resolution or a co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his name at any time prior to the bill or resolution receiving passage on second reading. The member or co-sponsor shall notify the Clerk of the House in writing of his desire to have his name added or removed from the bill or resolution. The Clerk of the House shall print the member's or co-sponsor's written notification in the House Journal. The removal or addition of a name does not apply to a bill or resolution sponsored by a committee."

Bill Number:   H. 3017 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/09/19   FORREST

Bill Number:   H. 3070 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/09/19   HILL

Bill Number:   H. 3106 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/09/19   KIRBY

Bill Number:   H. 3149 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/09/19   HILL

Bill Number:   H. 3166 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/09/19   FORREST

Bill Number:   H. 3295 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/09/19   HILL

Bill Number:   H. 3304 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/09/19   KIRBY

Bill Number:   H. 3322 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/09/19   GILLIARD and JEFFERSON

Bill Number:   H. 3449 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/09/19   KIRBY, FORREST, YOUNG and HIXON

Rep. BANNISTER moved that the House adjourn upon completion of the Governor's inauguration to meet at 10:00 a. m. tomorrow, which was agreed to.

I. General Assembly
II. Court of Appeals
III. Supreme Court
IV. Congressional Delegation
V. Dignitaries
VI. Former Governors of South Carolina
VII. Inaugural Chairmen
VIII. University and College Presidents
IX. State Officers
X. Lieutenant Governor

XI. Governor XII.

Welcome     The Honorable Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.
Invocation     Dr. Leon Winn

Rock Hill Baptist Church, Manning
Presentation of the Colors     The Citadel Color Guard
Pledge of Allegiance     Maj Gen James E. Livingston

MOH, USMC, ret.

Star Spangled Banner     Francis Scott Key and John Stafford Smith

"Gloria"   Paul Basler
"America"   arr. Mary McDonald

Lieutenant Governor   Lieutenant Governor-Elect Pamela Sue Evette
by Justice John W. Kittredge

Secretary of State     The Honorable Mark Hammond
State Treasurer     The Honorable Curtis M. Loftis, Jr.
Attorney General     The Honorable Alan M. Wilson
Comptroller General     The Honorable Richard Eckstrom
Superintendent of Education     The Honorable Molly Mitchell Spearman
Commissioner of Agriculture     The Honorable Hugh E. Weathers

"Three Patriotic Treasures"       arr. Greg Gilpin

"Arise Beloved"         Rosephanye Powell

GOVERNOR HENRY McMASTER: It is another beautiful day in South Carolina. Thank you for coming.
Words cannot express the pride and joy I have to be the governor of the great state of South Carolina. It is exhilarating and humbling. An honor and a privilege. My family and I thank you.
We are players in a fascinating human history spanning centuries and enveloping all people and countries. This history has many elements, but the one constant is the presence of economic competition: Competition - sometimes rising to warfare - for land, markets, populations, for resources, all with which to prosper and grow.
That economic competition today is the greatest the world has ever known. It is not only competition with foreign companies, but with foreign nations and their governments as well.
It is sophisticated and instant, involving tariffs, taxes, technologies, data analytics and logistics. It is fierce, and it offers reward and security for those who succeed. It is also between states.
Viewed in the context of economic competition, it is clear what we must do for future generations of South Carolinians. We must compete. We must win.
This is our time. South Carolina is winning. And we will keep winning.
Great football coaches have said that the worst mistake a player can make is to fumble the ball.
And as the Clemson Tigers just showed the world - South Carolina produces superior teamwork. We will not fumble the football.
As your governor, my game plan is to be bold, to coach a team of talented players who make their teammates better players - in practice, preparation and then on the field of competition.
My game plan for South Carolina requires changing our offensive plays on education. It means putting a strong defense on the field that tackles regulations, keeps high taxes off the field and protects our environment like it is the end zone.
There is no doubt that for years we have been winning. By "we," I refer to South Carolina.
That means trailblazers and leaders - many of whom are here today. Business leaders. Public servants. Educators. Innovators. Doctors and nurses. Veterans. First responders and those upcoming.
For me, "we" means the five million men, women and children of South Carolina.
In the two years I have been in this office, we have announced over $8 billion in new capital investment and over 27,000 new jobs.
Today, our agricultural base is accelerating, our tourism industry is thriving and we have become a major high-tech manufacturing hub.
We are the nation's top exporter of tires - and of completed automobiles.
Our average annual manufacturing employment growth is 16% - the highest in the southeast.
Over and over we are recognized as one of the best places in the country to do business - and to visit or vacation.
To continue and accelerate this economic prosperity, we must keep taxes low, eliminate suffocating regulations, and invest in infrastructure. Surpluses in state government revenues don't mean we have to spend it all; it means prioritizing the most critical needs then rebating what's not needed back to the taxpayers. That's what I intend to do.
Continued economic prosperity requires reforming our state's tax code. It requires reforming our State's marginal income and corporate tax rates to keep South Carolina competitive for jobs, investment and talent.
Prosperity requires that we increase our investment in developing a skilled workforce to fill the demands of today and tomorrow.
The skills required in today's modern workplace require us to stay ahead of demand and adapt with rapid advancements in technology. Modern manufacturing plants and assembly lines have transformed into intricate computerized environments driven by advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and sophisticated logistical delivery systems designed to deliver finished products around the world. Made in South Carolina.
It also requires that we invest in skilled workers in the trades - plumbing, masonry, carpentry, and others. Materials, methods and tools have changed. Skilled workers are in such high demand today that we have to go out of state to recruit them.
Right now South Carolina has 60,000 of those highly paid jobs looking for people. Our competitors have the same problem.
For decades every family's goal was for their children to go to college, which meant a four-year college degree. Higher education was - and still is - the key to success. But now we know that economic prosperity does not necessarily require a four-year degree.
Economic prosperity can be achieved through two-year associate degrees and a multitude of certificates from our State's technical colleges.
Our technical college system is the best in the country. It is unique, with readySC training employees for our State's manufacturers and with bachelor's degrees in applied manufacturing.
South Carolina's technical colleges are assets of enormous opportunity for our future!
So, we must also increase our investment in developing this skilled workforce. Additional workforce scholarships, grants and partnerships between our technical schools, high schools and local businesses will expand our state's pipeline of talent, as will partnerships between our research universities and manufacturers.
A strong, skilled workforce ensures economic prosperity for all South Carolinians. We must be bold, aggressive, alert, and we must think long-term.
We must also commit ourselves to providing the highest quality education for South Carolina's children if we are to continue to compete in the future for jobs and economic prosperity.
Here's a pertinent example from sports competition: NASCAR racing in Darlington.
In 2003, after 400 miles with average speeds topping 125 miles per hour, including yellow flags and pit stops, Ricky Craven in a number 32 Pontiac beat Kurt Busch in a number 97 Ford by two one-thousandths of a second. In distance, that would be the thickness of the paint on the front bumper.
If one of Mr. Craven's tires had been even a little bit flat, he would have lost.
Similarly, our state will never excel and succeed to our fullest potential if parts of our state are "flat" - or not performing. If we are bold and prepare for the race in front of us - South Carolina will beat the competition every time.
Months ago, I had a conversation with the district superintendent of one of our rural counties. Education suffers there, and once grown, young people are leaving. There is nothing for them there, except family.
Asked what the impact would be of a manufacturing company seeking 500 workers for a new plant in her county, which has none, she said - "It would change everything!"
That is what we intend to do: Change everything. My pledge to you today is that the words "Corridor of Shame" will soon be a fading memory.
This will require a state-backed economic development commitment to bring jobs to these communities by providing infrastructure in rural areas - not only in water, sewer and roads, but in school buildings and facilities. This will provide the spark. We must be bold.
Being perceived as weak in education is not good. But, being perceived as not committed to fixing it is disastrous. We will fix it and we will keep winning.
Coupled with the empowerment of investment - both private and public - envisioned by Jack Kemp twenty years ago and brought to reality by Senator Tim Scott with the creation of opportunity zones - we now have additional power to unleash the free market and public investment - to defeat the enemy of progress known as poverty.
We must also recruit and build the best team of teachers and educators in the country. This will require imagination and determination.
It will require providing South Carolina's teachers with compensation that is competitive - in the southeast and across the nation.
We must also embark on providing bold reform: Reforming education funding. Making our schools safe with school resource officers and mental health counselors. Restoring old-fashioned discipline in the classroom. Common sense relief for our teachers from testing, forms and paperwork. Consolidating school districts and giving our state superintendent the authority to remove and replace non-productive school boards.
Over the years in the education debate, the riddle about "the chicken or the egg" always comes up. Which comes first? Is it the strong family, the job or the education? We don't know. But we do know that if we lack any one of the three - strong families, jobs or education - we will not have the other two.
In short, we know that our success in today's world-wide economic competition depends on our intellectual capacity, training, research and development, knowledge, innovation and imagination. In a word, on our brain power. That is why South Carolina's commitment to education must be second to none in the United States.
Finally, we must endeavor to always protect our State's environment, our spectacular natural resources.
This land, as noted by the explorers for kings and queens, is lush, fertile and brimming with abundance in plant and animal life. It is irreplaceable. The obligation and privilege of our generation and others is to use it, cultivate it, develop it and also to protect it and encroach upon it only gently.
Our economic growth and the preservation of our natural environment are not opposing objectives which must be balanced as in a competition, one against the other. Instead, they are complementary, intertwined and inseparable, each dependent on the other.
To these ends, I recently established the South Carolina Floodwater Commission. It is unique in the United States. The commission's purpose is to provide guidance, solutions and opportunities presented by inland and coastal flooding and all that entails. Its scope will be global, to be applied here.
Economic prosperity requires that we address water in a comprehensive fashion - whether it is flooding, sea rise, aquifer depletion or upstream withdrawal. Make no mistake - a plentiful water supply is essential to our manufacturing, agricultural and tourism industries as well as our quality of life - so we must work diligently and intelligently, and we must plan for the long-term.
And let me assure you that I will firmly stand against all efforts to endanger the future of our pristine coastline, our beaches, our sea islands, our marshes and our watersheds.
In closing, let me say two things:
First, to the members of the General Assembly: We - among ourselves - are not competitors. We are all on the same team - with the same ultimate goal - which is the prosperity and happiness of the people of South Carolina.
And, second, but foremost, to the young people of South Carolina, let me say: I see before us the brightest of futures. But we must think big, have confidence and be bold. We will do things we have not done before. And we will succeed.
May God bless you, the great state of South Carolina and the United States of America.
"Redeeming Love, Repeated Praise" (A Sacred Harp Trilogy, 2010)

Robert J. Powell

Benediction                   The Reverend Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas

                    First Presbyterian Church, Columbia

"God Bless America"     Arr. Keith Christopher and John Moss

I. Governor
II. Lieutenant Governor
III. State Officers
IV. University and College Presidents
V. Inaugural Chairmen
VI. Former Governors of South Carolina
VII. Dignitaries
VIII. Congressional Delegation
IX. Supreme Court
X. Court of Appeals
XI. General Assembly

At 12:45 p.m., the House, in accordance with the motion of Rep. FINLAY, adjourned in memory of former Representative Thomas Moffatt Burriss, Sr., to meet at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

This web page was last updated on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 2:46 P.M.