Legislative Update from State Sen. Kevin Johnson - March 31, 2016

A message from Senator Kevin L. Johnson District 36- Clarendon, Darlington, Florence, and Sumter Counties.

Columbia, South Carolina: March 31, 2016 
This year’s session began on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. This is the second year of the 121st session, so everything that was unfinished on the agenda when we left in July 2015 was here waiting for us when we returned.
   
Last month was a short month for the SC Senate due to the fact that we were in recess on the Thursday before Easter and also for the entire week after Easter. The election filing deadline is over and all of us know who our opposition is, if any. I mention that because the sentiment was that more would get done after filing. I hope that is correct as I remain disappointed that the Senate did not pass a meaningful roads bill. 

When the House reconvenes next week their plans are to debate the Senate roads bill (also known merely as the patch act). While my hope is that they will drastically improve the bill that the Senate sent over, I am not optimistic because again it appears that many members of the General Assembly are putting partisan politics over what's best for the people we serve.   

The Senate will now spend time on the Ethics bill, another bill that should be a priority. Hopefully we can pass a strong ethics bill and then next on the agenda will be the state budget which is always an important bill. It is my hope that we will revisit the roads bill and provide a distinct and dedicated source of revenue to adequately fix our roads and bridges, pass a strong ethics bill and pass a good budget that represents and reflects the priorities and the core functions of state government.  
 
Please remember to visit www.scsenate.gov to see the bills that I have sponsored and co-sponsored as well as to receive more information about the aforementioned bills. As always, please feel free to contact me at any time that I may be of service. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.  

Contact Information: 
Senate Office of Kevin L. Johnson, PO Box 142, Columbia, SC 29202. Email: kevinjohnson@scsenate.gov  
Ashley Stewart -Administrative Assistant---Office Telephone: (803) 212- 6048