Hometown Legislative Action Day just around the corner

Listen to the City Quick Connect podcast featuring the Association's legislative team with more details about what's on tap for Hometown Legislative Action Day.

In less than three weeks, more than 500 local officials will travel to Columbia to meet with their legislators and learn about issues important to cities and towns. Hometown Legislative Action Day is February 1, and the deadline to register is January 18.

We will start the day with a conversation with five of the members of the House Tax Policy Review Committee that’s been meeting since last summer. Five committee members – Reps. Tommy Pope, Chandra Dillard, Todd Atwater, Mandy Powers Norrell and Joe Daning  - will bring their perspectives about the committee’s work. Lexington Mayor Steve MacDougall will facilitate this conversation. 

Committee members have heard from state tax experts, municipalities and counties, the business community and residents voicing their perspectives on taxes. The members have discussed eliminating certain sales tax exemptions, making changes to Act 388 and decreasing the state income tax. 

Next, two Senate leaders will bring their perspective on the 2017 session. Senator Shane Massey from Aiken County is the Majority Leader and Senator Luke Rankin is the new chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

We will also welcome the president of the National League of Cities, Clarence Anthony, who will help us sort out what’s going on in Washington with the new administration and new Congress.

During lunch, Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall will brief attendees on the status of the S.C. Department of Transportation and the outlook for road funding in the new legislative year.

HLAD speakers will also address law enforcement trends and proposals. Serving on the panel are Criminal Justice Academy Director Jackie Swindler, S.C. Department of Social Services Law Enforcement Liaison Larry McNeil and Ryan Alphin, executive director of the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers’ Association and the S.C. Police Chiefs Association.

A representative from the Public Employee Benefit Authority will update attendees on challenges in the State Retirement System. Plus attendees will get a briefing on how to complete their 2016 Statement of Economic Interests based on the new requirements on income disclosure passed last year.

We will wrap up the day with a Taste of South Carolina legislative reception celebrating local foods and craft beers. 

Before coming to Columbia, connect with colleagues and get up-to-the-minute meeting information on your Android or Apple smartphones and tablets. Download the mobile HLAD app by searching for MuniAssnSC in the App Store or Google Play, or view the web version of the app.

Listen to the City Quick Connect podcast featuring the Association's legislative team with more details about what's on tap for Hometown Legislative Action Day.