Hometown Legislative Action Day, the day for municipal officials to gather in Columbia to amplify their voices on behalf of their cities and towns, arrives next Tuesday, February 4. The general session this year will bring messages from several state senators, including Sen. Harvey Peeler, president of the Senate, as well as Sen. Marlon Kimpson, who will speak during lunch. There’s also more to learn about other sessions and the 2019 – 2020 Municipal Association Advocacy Initiatives in an article that appeared in the January edition of Uptown. As in past years, visits to the State House will take place after lunch, giving attendees an opportunity to meet legislators face to face.
The preregistration deadline for HLAD has passed, but onsite registration for the conference will still be available on February 4. There are several ways attendees can prepare for HLAD:
- Download the meeting app. The app connects meeting attendees with the agenda for both HLAD and the Municipal Elected Officials Institute. It allows users to set a personalized schedule and get information about the presenters and the attendees. Receive important notifications during the event and connect with other attendees using the internal social network. The app is available through the App Store or Google Play by searching for “MuniAssnSC,” or by using the link l.masc.sc/2020HLADapp.
- Check out the full agenda. The agenda is available both on the Municipal Association’s website and on the app.
- Know where to park. The parking garage behind the Marriott, with entrances on Hampton and Sumter streets, will have limited availability. Meeting attendees and hotel guests may not park above level 4-A in this garage or the vehicle will be towed. Additional parking will be available at the parking garage located at 1200 Taylor St. (one block from the hotel). City parking fees will apply.
Courses for the Municipal Elected Officials Institute and Advanced MEO Institute will take place the next day on February 5. MEO graduates receive recognition both during Hometown Legislative Action Day and in press releases from the Municipal Association afterward.