ISSUES

Education is Priority Number One
Nothing we do in state government is more important for the future than improving the quality of education in Richland County and throughout South Carolina.  This session, we were able to increase funding for the classrooms —without raising taxes. We also focused on school safety, school accountability and early childhood education.

School Funding & Teacher Quality
The Education Finance Act is now fully funded. This required an additional $70 million to be distributed to school districts based on the number of children attending.  We also addressed the critical issue of teacher quality.  First, we increased teacher pay to a minimum of $600 above the southeastern average.  Then we fully funded the National Board Certification program to financially reward nationally certified teachers.  These reforms should help attract the best teachers to South Carolina’s classrooms.

Healthy, Fit and Ready to Learn
To make sure our children are ready to learn, we appropriated $25.6 million for early childhood programs focusing especially on at-risk children. Additional funds were appropriated ($14.9 million) for the Education and Economic Development Act, which gives high school children needed preparation and career guidance based on interests and demonstrated skills. In the area of child health care, we increased funding for the Student Health and Fitness Act.  Those funds will be used to expand nutrition education, physical education classes and to offer health assessments to school-age children.

Making our Children Safe
School safety was also a big priority for us this session.  We set aside $26 million for a fund to replace outdated unsafe school buses. Because of the high and rising cost of fuel, we also had to increase funding for fuel prices and parts by an additional $39.8 million.  We also addressed the critical issue of school violence. The Safe School Climate Act was also passed this year, a much-needed reform which enacts stiffer penalties for violence and requires all violations be reported to authorities. To keep parents well informed, reports of school violence will also be released to the public.

Incentives for New Jobs & Economic Development
Two bills (the S.C. Retail Facilities Revitalization Act and the S.C. Economic Development Incentive Act) have created important new tax credits and tax exemptions to help businesses expand and to encourage new businesses to come to South Carolina.

Tougher laws on Criminal Domestic Violence
This new law addresses the growing problem of criminal domestic violence with tougher penalties and improved definitions.  First and second offenses now carry stronger penalties.  A third offense becomes a felony with a sentence of up to five years.  Even tougher penalties are given when these acts are committed in the presence of a child.

Eminent Domain
A proposed constitutional amendment was passed clearly limiting the “eminent domain” power of state and local government to take property away from private citizens for purposes other than public use.

Price Gouging
Rep. Harrison worked closely with Attorney General Henry McMaster to enact new legislation to prosecute those who attempt to “price gouge” at times when people are most vulnerable.  This consumer protection legislation will help hold down the cost of fuel, food, accommodations and other essential goods and services during emergencies and natural disasters

Alternative Fuel Incentives
New legislation was passed in 2006 providing incentives to encourage consumers to conserve energy and to promote the production and use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.  Other incentives are likely to be introduced next year.

Medical Malpractice Reform
The General Assembly passed important reforms that will hold down the cost of health care by placing reasonable limits on lawsuits.  “This bill protects the rights of those who are injured to obtain relief and at the same time prevents frivolous complaints and unreasonable judgments from driving up the cost of insurance and health care,” Jim Harrison said.

Ten Commandments
The House passed a bill that would protect the display of the Ten Commandments in historical context on state property.  This measure was intended to counter efforts made in South Carolina and elsewhere to remove the display of the Ten Commandments from courthouses and public schools.

Cracking Down on Sexual Predators
To protect children, the General Assembly passed The Sex Offender Accountability and Protection of Minors Act of 2006” (also known as “Jessica’s Law”).  This bill is a package of reforms making it easier to prosecute and convict sex offenders, with much tougher penalties for those who prey on children.

NOTE:  This is only a partial listing of legislation Rep. Harrison has supported or sponsored during the past legislation session.