Release – SC House: Time for Government Restructuring to Become Law

For 5th time in 5 years, House again approves a DOA Bill

To hear an audio quote on DOA Restructuring from Speaker Harrell, click here

****NOTE: Chart detailing the House’s DOA plan: here****

(Columbia, SC) – Today, the SC House of Representatives (in a 91 to 23 bipartisan vote) again approved a Department of Administration (DOA) bill, marking the 5th time the House has passed this government restructuring reform over the last 5 years.

If the House’s DOA plan makes it into law this year, it would institute the broadest government restructuring effort to be undertaken in South Carolina in decades.  Breaking up the quasi-Executive/Legislative Budget & Control Board, the House’s reform measure places Executive Branch functions directly under the Governor, adds stronger accountability oversight and will save taxpayers money by eliminating waste and duplication.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell issued this statement about the House’s DOA reform plan:

“Fundamentally changing the way government operates by challenging the status quo never comes easy – or quickly, considering this is the fifth time a DOA bill has passed the House – but our state’s system of government is in need of major reform.

“The House’s DOA reform plan adds direct accountability oversight, streamlines operations by removing duplication, and ultimately, saves taxpayers money.  [Read more...]

P&C Editorial praises House’s leadership on Ethics Reform

post and courier banner

Maintain ethics momentum

There is broad agreement that legislative ethics reform is needed, but until last week the matter was very much in doubt.

With the House Judiciary Committee’s approval of a substantive ethics bill last week, there appears to be momentum for reform. But there is still a way to go, and not much time.

The bill has to be approved by the House this week to meet the crossover deadline for legislation sent to the Senate. Then it must get approval by the Senate, which has a substantial agenda for the last few weeks of the session.

Legislators should make its passage a priority.

The House bill incorporates a number of initiatives, most notably the good work done by the governor’s commission on ethics reform. [Read more...]

House GOP Agenda Focuses on Government Reform

Data Security, Election, Ethics, Tax, and Restructuring join Jobs on 2013 Agenda

COLUMBIA – Broad government reform tops the House Republican Caucus agenda for South Carolina in 2013, presented to members of the S.C. Press Association today at the Statehouse.
“This is a smaller agenda than we have had in previous years because many of these items are very serious topics that will require a lot of debate,” said House Majority Leader Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville. “The Caucus and the House have study committees that have been working for months—or years—on some of these issues. This session will be marked by significant action on government reform.”

Comprehensive Tax Reform Package Begins Move Through House

Three of seven bills in package move out of subcommittee today

SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

COLUMBIA – The House Republican Caucus moved three tax reform bills through subcommittees today as it begins work on getting tax reform through the State House.
[Read more...]

House GOP Files Comprehensive Tax Reform

Seven-bill package reforms income, sales, and property taxes statewide

COLUMBIA – The House Republican Caucus wants to change how everybody in South Carolina pays taxes. Rep. Tommy Stringer and the Caucus Tax Reform Study Committee filed a package of seven bills Monday after eight months of study.
[Read more...]

Update: House Republicans Unveil Reform Agenda

 

Dear Friends –

Just a few weeks into the legislative session this year, your House Republicans have been busy at work pushing for conservative reforms for a better South Carolina.
Today, conservatives set out to build on this record of reform by unveiling our 2012 House Republican Caucus Legislative Agenda. In the 2012 Agenda, we are focusing our sights on ensuring long-term growth and fiscal stability:

Speaker Harrell delivers SCGOP Weekly Address

Speaker Harrell highlights the House’s achievements this legislative session:

End of Session Report: GOP Agenda Passes House


This past January, House Republicans drafted a comprehensive legislative agenda containing conservative reform items that you asked for last November, from growing our economy to increasing government transparency and efficiency.  This session, your House Republicans have rolled up our sleeves and gone to work as promised.
[Read more...]

Video – Speaker Harrell on 2011 GOP Agenda

All 17 Caucus Agenda Items pass House before session ends

5/23/11 – Victory for Voter ID, Immigration Reform and More

With the end of session quickly approaching, I wanted to brief you on the latest news coming from the State House. [Read more...]