Legislative Happenings
A message from Senator Gerald Malloy
District 29- Darlington, Chesterfield, Lee and Marlboro Counties
Dear Friends and Constituents,
For the past several weeks we have worked on an extremely important piece of legislation that affects all of us – as individuals, businesses, consumers, and our State’s economy. H.3579, the South Carolina Infrastructure Finance Reform and Tax Relief Act, received third reading in the Senate on Thursday, after weeks of debate and discussion. The bill had been held up through a filibuster since last Spring until the bill received second and third readings this week.Under the Republican plan, $400 million of recurring income will be directed to road repair without revenue from an increase in the gas tax. There are many concerns that this plan is unsustainable and will cut into other state programs. The amended bill will now be considered by the House, with substantial debate expected to continue.
As the weather grows warmer and Spring approaches, the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is encouraging us to take action now to protect our communities from mosquito-borne illness. The historic flooding in Columbia, along with warm weather, has the potential to boost mosquito populations. Mosquitoes can spread serious illnesses such as West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis and the Zika virus. DHEC is strongly urging all local governments to create or local ordinances now to help our mosquito control programs reduce standing water which provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Common breeding grounds are flower pots, bird baths, tires, standing water in gutters and drainage ditches. Swimming pools need to be properly maintained as well. For more information on mosquito-borne diseases, visit www.scdhec.gov/mosquitoes.
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers as we move forward in the legislative year with many important issues to address for the benefit of our State. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns that you may have. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and I look forward to hearing from you.
Contact Information: Senate Office of Gerald Malloy, PO Box 142, Columbia, SC 29202.
Email: geraldmalloy@scsenate.gov
