City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon, newly elected president of the Municipal Association of SC, discusses the value that the Association brings to cities and towns and his vision for the coming year.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton podcast from the lobby of the Municipal Association’s Annual Meeting in Charleston during its first day, discussing the ongoing “Civility Makes the Difference” message and other sessions with several attendees. They are joined by Seth Duncan, city manager for the City of York; Mayor Greg Habib of the City of Goose Creek; Matt Lehrman of Social Prosperity Partners, who delivered the keynote address; and Mayor Cornelius Huff of the City of Inman.

The Municipal Association of SC is focusing on civility in government as one of its top priorities. Executive Director Todd Glover discusses the critical need for a new push for civility, and some of the resources the Association is making available for officials and residents alike.

Vehicle crashes are a threat to safety, equipment and insurance costs. Municipal Association Loss Control Manager Bethany Pendley talks about some of the steps that cities and towns can take to improve driving habits and reduce the likelihood of crashes.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the outcome of primary elections and the ways that the SC House of Representatives will change from both primaries and newly open seats.

Joannie Nickel, Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the impact of the state’s budget for cities and towns. Key points include a full funding for the Local Government Fund, funding for PTSD assistance for first responders, body cameras and vests for police and the Firefighter Cancer Fund. The budget also creates increases in retirement system and State Health Plan contributions, and changes to return-to-work rules for SCRS and PORS members.

The Local Business License Renewal Center, which cities and towns must use to comply with Act 176, is intended as one way to make the license process easier for businesses. Caitlin Cothran and Kaylee Summerton of the Municipal Association’s Local Revenue Services describe lessons learned in the first round of license renewals, and what municipalities need to know for business licensing in 2023. More information: www.masc.sc/programs/local-reve…ense-renewal-center

The Association’s field services manager team has grown, helping each of the members deliver more value to all of the state’s 271 cities and towns. Ashley Kellahan has joined Jeff Shacker and Charlie Barrineau as part of the team. Hear from all three about the services they offer and the territories they cover. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/Pages/resources/Request-Municipal-Assistance.aspx

Erica Wright, Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the Municipal Association’s ongoing efforts to build working relationships with every member of the state’s congressional delegation through meetings in Washington, sharing information on the American Rescue Plan funding and other critical topics, and through congressional briefing sessions with city and town officials.

Municipal Association Executive Director Todd Glover and Chief Operating Officer Jake Broom discuss the upcoming Annual Meeting, taking place in Charleston July 14 – 17, including sessions focused on key themes such as civility in government and economic development. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/Pages/programs/knowledge/training/2022-Annual-Meeting.aspx

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about legislative action at the end of the regular session, including the efforts to get election reform law passed, the passage of the law enforcement “betterment” bill and the state’s American Rescue Plan fund allocation, and also the two versions of the state budget that include funded items for which the Municipal Association advocated. They also explain what the General Assembly can take up when they return to session under the sine die resolution.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about legislative action in the next-to-last week of the session, including the law enforcement “betterment” bill receiving third reading, the medical cannabis bill being ruled out of order, and the bill to allocate the state’s American Rescue Plan dollars being amended by the House.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about the differences between the House and Senate versions of the state budget, as well as the status of the law enforcement reform bill and proposals for addressing gun offenses. They also cover the latest on the service fees bill, the election reform bills and what could happen to the state’s American Rescue Plan funds at the end of the session.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about the impacts of House Speaker Jay Lucas stepping down and the creation of the House Freedom Caucus, as well as end-of-regular-session action on the low-income housing tax credit cap bill, the election procedures bill, the law enforcement “betterment” bill and others.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about the Senate Finance Committee’s approval of the state budget, the 18.1% increase in employer contributions to the State Health Plan, the election bill that would shorten the municipal election certification period and create an early voting period, and the bills that would allow post-traumatic stress disorder as a reason for public safety officials to file worker’s compensation claims.

Casey Fields, Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright discuss legislative action during the week of the crossover deadline, the last day for a bill to pass out of the chamber in which it was introduced. They cover the road and user fees bill, the election bill that would create a two-week early voting period, the state’s American Rescue Plan allocations, the medical cannabis bill and the opioid settlement bill.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about the medical cannabis bill, the bill that would extend the state’s e-waste program, the bill that would increase the SC Police Officers Retirement System retiree earnings limitation, the proposed new regulation for alcoholic food products, the proposed cap on the SC Housing Tax Credit and the road fee bill.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the railroad business license tax bill, the service or user feed bill that would require fees to be used for the nonexclusive benefit of the payers, the bill that would cap the low-income housing tax credit program, and the campaign filing news that points toward a significant change in the makeup of the SC House of Representatives.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the completion of the state budget work in the House, including a proviso that would remove earnings limitations for return-to-work retirees in the state retirement systems and a proviso that would fund part of the increase in public employers’ retirement system contributions. They also discuss the status of the law enforcement reform bill, the potential restructuring of beach nourishment funds and the potential cap on the low-income housing tax credit.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the General Assembly’s budget work, including the increase to State Health Plan employer contributions; the bill that would allow counties to place commercial property nuisance abatement costs on property tax bills; the bills that would cut taxes, and legislative action on law enforcement reform.