Lawmakers Ready to Tackle State Issues With New Governor

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)- From crumbling roads to tax reforms, lawmakers say there are a laundry list of items they’re ready to tackle with the new Governor.

“This is an important time and a historic time certainly to see the transfer of power,” State Rep. James Smith(D) said.

Governor Henry McMasters experience with the senate has a lot of lawmakers feeling hopeful about the future of the state.

“I’m very optimistic since we do have a new Governor,” State Rep. Beth Bernstein (D) said. “I’m optimistic that we are going to have the legislative branch working with the executive branch because we really have not had that since Governor Hodges and it really makes us all working together in a bipartisan manner to accomplish things.”

“I think it’ll be a much easier transition with us because we’re used to working with him,” Senator Katrina Shealy (R) said. “He’s been with us in the Senate. I look forward to seeing what the changes are going to be.”

At the top of their list, lawmakers want to put an end to damaging roads in South Carolina.

“I think we’re all working together to get our roads fixed and come up with a plan to have recurring money and fix the problem before it even gets more expensive and larger than it is now,” Bernstein said.

“The Bill that is proposed right now will provide a permanent increase to stable revenue source that would be based upon a gas user fee or gas tax,” Smith said.  “I believe he will be instrumental in helping to get support for it in the senate and us addressing this need once and for all establishing a stabling revenue sources for our roads.”

That’s just one of the problems on lawmakers agenda. However, many of them say with the new leadership they’re confident things will get done.

“Governor McMaster has the demeanor and the temperament ability  to work with the Senate, the house, and both Republicans and Democrats,” Bernstein said.

“I think he’s going to do a great job,” Shealy said. “I think he will work very good with both bodies in the legislature.”

“Because we know with the growth of our State and our economy we’re going to have to increase the capacity of our infrastructure in order to meet the requirements in the future and inherit the jobs that are going to come with that,” Smith said.