State Lawmakers Discuss Issues at Chamber Breakfast

Business and government leaders came together Thursday to hear from state lawmakers at the Franklin County Chamber’s annual Policies and Pastries breakfast in Carnesville.

State Representative Alan Powell and State Senator John Wilkinson were on hand to review the highlights of this year’s State Legislative session and answer questions.

Both noted this year’s session contained no major controversy and was able to end by the end of March.

Senator Wilkinson noted the state’s FY14 $19.8 billion budget was passed with no tax increase.

 “Of course when you’ve had decline in revenues like we’ve had, sometimes you hav to make decisions that aren’t real pleasant,” Wilkinson said. “But I still think in the long run it’s good for our state. Our state is better financial shape than a lot of other states.”

Rep. Powell  called the 2013 General Assembly a “get by” session.

“It was get in and get out,” he said. “We were out before the first of April and finished on March 28. Not a lot of fanfare, just a lot of hard, diligent work and not a lot of time off.”

Wilkinson noted that the ethics reform for lawmakers got a lot of press.

He said while passing ethics reform legislation was controversial, it did help cut down on lobbyist spending by 34% this session.

Both noted the gun bill also got a lot of media attention, but ultimately did not pass.

Wilkinson said it will probably be back on the table for consideration next year.

“The Senate passed a bill and the House passed a bill and there was conference committee, but they could not come to an agreement,” Wilkinson said. “It will be considered next year and I believe with time and the ability to take a closer look at both bills, it will really strengthen our second amendment rights.”

One main question asked by those attending the breakfast had to do with whether the state should replace the state income tax with a consumption tax.

Powell said while it sounds like a good idea, it would be hard to do.

“Quite frankly I think it’s a good idea, but also understand we’ve got to find the funds,” Powell said. “If we eliminate the income tax, could we stand another three to four percent on our sales tax?”

Powell noted that retailers on the Georgia side of the Georgia South Carolina state line must compete with South Carolina retailers and a higher sales tax in Georgia could force consumers over the state line to shop.

Wilkinson agreed, but finding an additional source of revenue would be difficult without raising sales taxes.

Both lawmakers said they were pleased with the progress being made regarding issues on the Savannah River Basin.

Wilkinson and Powell recently were invited to speak about the formation on the Georgia side of the Savannah River Caucus to South Carolina lawmakers in Columbia, SC.

Powell said South Carolina is forming its own caucus to work with Georgia in getting federal lawmakers to change how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the water levels in the upper Savannah River Basin.

“There’s strength in numbers,” Powell said.