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Tight wallets at state agencies is leading to transportation coordination

May 13, 2009 By

A statewide study committee has wrapped up its final report identifying mass transit and tranportation by state agencies in South Carolina. The Mass Transit and Human Services Transportation Study Committee was formed by state lawmakers last year.   The committee will send its recommendations to Governor Mark Sanford. That will lead to a similar permanent committee, in part to help coordinate client transportation services among state agencies. Glenneth Johnson is over Mass Transit at the Department of Transportation and chairs the study committee.   “And example would be Health and Human Services providing Medicaid transportation to the doctor, not because they’re a transportation agency, but because they have a responsibility of providing care.” 

One hope is to coordinate services among agencies to reduce waste, as in the case where vans taking DHHS clients to doctors might provide rides for clients of other agencies working the same area.

Diane Lackey, Statewide Transportation Program Director at DOT, says mass transit is being examined as well, to find out how communities and state agencies can better serve those who need it. 

Johnson says there are plenty of ways to save money. DOT is now implementing the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program. But Johnson says that federal program requires a 50 percent match, and that’s a challenge.   “We currently do not have state mass transit funds to match that.  And we have left it up to the local communities to provide the 50 percent match.  But there are opportunities for those programs to be coordinated with the D.S.S. T.A.N.F. program,  technical assistance for needy families.”

Filed Under: Economy, News, Transportation

Private school choice bill back to drawing board

May 13, 2009 By

The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday sent Senator Robert Ford’s private school choice bill back to subcommittee, in essence sending it back to the drawing board.

Richland’s Darrell Jackson said that even the private school choice bill is gone, the issue that prompted that bill is not. that is, poorer districts having less to offer to students.

Greenville’s Mike Fair responded, “The fact is, though, Senator from Richland, if it’s a matter of going to better schools, zip codes will always control that choice.”

Fair says that the bill is a good start. Jackson agreed,”I have actually become a bigger fan of choice than I was several years ago, but my issue still remains. Because there is one question no one has ever been able to answer for me.  And that is, if you have 200 children trying to get into a school with 50 slots, who makes the choice?”

Jackson and Education Chairman John Courson  both say those issues will be taken up when the bill is again taken up, next year.

“ We got some of the finest public schools and school districts in the country.  But we also have some very poor-performing school districts and what we are trying to do is to raise the boat for all,” says Courson.

Filed Under: Education, Legislature, News

Public school choice bill advances

May 13, 2009 By

A bill to expand public school choice has made it to the Senate Floor, but it’s not likely to be taken up this year. Co-sponsor and Education Committee Chairman, John Courson says he thinks the bills chances are good, but for next year.

“We’ve passed this legislation in the past in the Senate,” he says, “the House has passed it and the governor has vetoed it. But I think the overwhelming vote in committee in favor of the bill is indicative that the Senate will receive it well next year.”

The committee unanimously supported York Senator Wes Hayes’ bill to improve choices within public school districts. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, Legislature, News

Georgetown mill closing could set off city’s future

May 13, 2009 By

Driving in to the City of Georgetown, motorists cannot miss the big steel mill near Highway 17. That mill, owned by ArcelorMittal, is closing its doors, for now.

“We were issued a notice Monday afternoon at approximately 4:35p.m. where if the market condition doesn’t improve to temporarily idle the plant for at least six months. Now, the warren notice can be rescended at any time. It is market driven and I think there is no doubt an anybody’s mind that has been keeping up with the economy and the way it is right now understands that is facing about everybody in The United States of America,” says United Steelworkers and ArcelorMittal spokesperson James Sanderson.

This closing will cause 242 employees to temporarily lose their jobs. ArcelorMittal notified the United Steelworkers about the layoffs of its employees according to the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The WARN Act offers protection to workers, their families, and communities by requiring employers to provide a 60 day notice before a plant closing. ArcelorMittal says they will continue to work with the United Steelworkers to minimize the impact on employees and their families. Sanderson says the ArcelorMittal Steel Mill is the only one of its kind in the city of Georgetown, and it will take a toll on the city’s economy.

“It’s very important! The Georgetown County and the city as a whole depends, I would say on 75 to 80 percent on their budget and their secondary jobs that spring off of the steel mill and I believe people will feel a big impact if it is idled for six months. We had a closure back in 2003 and it was down for eight months and it really brought the city and the county down to its knees because of the loss of revenue,” says Sanderson.

And the reason for the closing, according to Sanderson, “This is no doubt in my mind is a result of the American people not showing support for American jobs because of the lack of the confidence in the American people in consumer products. They don’t want to buy right now, whenever they turn on their TV and all they hear is doom and gloom, people are reluctant to buy because they have to worry about their jobs,” says Sanderson.

Sanderson says about 20 employees will remain in the plant during the idle period just to maintain the equipment. The closing will take place on July 12.

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News

South Carolina Republican Party set for changing of the guard

May 13, 2009 By

The South Carolina Republican Party will hold its annual Silver Elephant Dinner Friday night May 15 that the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The weekend of festivities will culminate with the State Republican Convention. U.S. Senator from Tennessee and South Carolina native Bob Corker will be the special guest. The GOP gala will be a special occasion for Katon Dawson who is stepping down after seven years as State Republican Party Chair.

“Being the second longest serving Chairman in the Republican Party in the country probably tells you that it’s time to do something different,” says Dawson. “We’ve had a great run here in South Carolina of seven years, won 82 percent of the races where we filed a candidate, raised $19 million and its all been a team effort and a real pleasure.”

Dawson says he is proud that the State Republican Party will be welcoming back a native son as the main speaker for the GOP gala. “We’ve got Senator Corker  from Tennessee coming who was really a staunch opponent to the bailout monies, especially the automobile (industry) bailout monies, especially with the factories in Tennessee up and running. We found him to be an entertaining and intellectual Senator. He’s from Orangeburg, South Carolina and that was the connection of why we wanted to bring him back to his native state and have him as our speaker.”

Dawson says a veritable Who’s Who of South Carolina Republicans will be attending the dinner and the state convention.

“Both U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint will be here, our Congressmen, Governor Sanford, Lt. Governor Andre Bauer, (State Attorney General) Henry McMaster, our entire cast of Republicans will be in town on Friday night and on Saturday we’ll have our state convention to elect our new chairman and some new officers.”

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government
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