Harvey Peeler

Over the past few months I’ve talked a lot about the financial crisis hitting our state. Now for some good news: while we will still feel the effects for a little while longer and unemployment rates and our state budget will get worse, I believe we are starting to turn the corner. Now there’s nowhere to go but up, and when it comes to South Carolinians, the sky is the limit. In the turnaround, we’ve already seen developments that give reason to be optimistic about the future in our state.

I’m particularly proud of leaders in the General Assembly and the private sector teaming up to bring Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner facility to South Carolina. We’ve worked hard to develop an atmosphere to make sure that our state is business friendly, keeping taxes low and regulation to a minimum. Over the next seven years, it’s expected that Boeing will bring $750 million in investment and altogether will create around 12,000 jobs. This isn’t just about one facility or one company. Companies already established here will benefit from the new business generated by the massive operation.

While we create new jobs, we also need to keep what’s already here. Last year, it appeared that the Maersk shipping company was pulling out of the Port of Charleston after its contract is up in 2010. That would have been a devastating hit to all regions of our state and a serious setback to making our ports the main gateways to commerce in our state and in the country. But, with a lot of hard work by the State Ports Authority and leadership in the Senate, Maersk announced in October that it would be renewing its contract through the end of 2014. Not only does our state benefit from transporting the world’s good throughout South Carolina and the southeast, but it’s easier for companies here to send out their products to a wider marketplace.

Let’s not forget the innovative ability of South Carolinians, coming up with new solutions to old problems. Clemson’s Restoration Institute beat out proposals from several other states to land a federal wind turbine energy project. Millions of dollars will flow into the state for this cutting-edge undertaking, putting South Carolina on the way to leading in developing viable clean energy solutions. And then there are the jobs. An Energy Department estimate expects between 10,000 and 20,000 new positions to be created by the project.
Each one of these welcome developments occurred within the past couple months. It sets a great springboard to go ahead and keep up the momentum next year.

Even with the accomplishments of the past year, there is still so much yet to be done. One of the attractions to Boeing is our strong right-to-work laws. The aerospace giant was having one problem after another with the machinists’ union in Washington State, an issue it won’t have here. We need to make sure it will continue to be that way. During the debate over the port restructuring bill, I made sure that unions wouldn’t be able to get on the board to hinder and halt the growth of jobs that come with strong ports. We need to pass legislation to ensure that South Carolina workers will keep their freedom to work where they wish without union influence and intimidation. When unions control the economy, the economy falters.
Just look at major auto companies in Michigan. We need to take steps to make sure that doesn’t happen here.

This fall, we made an effort to address problems with the Employment Security Commission, but there is still more to be done. We’re also going forward with plans to make the governor and lieutenant governor run on the same ticket. Having a chance that the state’s top two elected officials are belligerent with each other, whether they are of opposing parties or the same party, is not conducive for good government. It also offers voters a clearer look at whom they’re voting for, like in a presidential race.

Another place that needs a look are the state health agencies. Health care has become increasingly expensive for the state as it has for individuals. We can save tax dollars by making the system more efficient. A subcommittee of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee has been working on this matter this fall, getting a jump on things before legislators return to Columbia in January. Three major bills are being considered that will create three cabinet-level departments that will combine a number of agencies and streamline administrative costs. Subcommittee members extensive experience in health care issues and their work will be put into action soon after the legislature reconvenes.

But don’t forget about tax reform. The Taxation Realignment Commission will be delivering its report to the General Assembly in March. A lot of work will need to be done to analyze the commission’s recommendations and deciding how to act before the end of the session, but the conservative leadership in the legislature is ready to buckle down and get done what needs to be done for the people of our state.

Certainly, much has been accomplished to help turn our state around. As well, much lies ahead. And as long as we allow South Carolinians to live up to their potential, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish.