Derham Cole for State House

Rep. Derham Cole gives his reaction to and thoughts on Gov. Nikki Haley’s 2012 State of the State address.

The General Assembly returned this week for the 2012 legislative session, and I was excited to return to Columbia to work for you!

One of the first items we addressed was Governor Haley’s veto of S. 211, which would have established an “I-95 Corridor Authority.”  I received many emails from across the state on this issue in the off-session and was pleased to vote to sustain the Governor’s veto.  Remember, you may view my or any other legislator’s voting record by visiting www.scstatehouse.gov.

Last year, the General Assembly passed a law that would require a person to present a valid photo identification to vote at the polls. The U.S. Department of Justice rejected the law.  During the debate, some questioned the need for the law, saying that no evidence of voter fraud exists in South Carolina.  This week, South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles director Kevin Schwedo testified before the House Judiciary Election Laws Subcommittee that his staff analyzed the records of more 239,000 voters who do not have a state driver’s license or identification card. They discovered that 37,000 of those people were dead and, of those, 957 had been recorded as casting a vote after their recorded death date.  My position was and is that having to prove one’s identity, as one does when boarding a plane, buying certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and cashing a check, is an important measure in protecting the integrity of our electoral process.  We will continue to work to fully implement a Voter ID law. Read more here.

In advance of the budget process, we heard a briefing from a Federal Reserve economist regarding the economic outlook for 2012.  While unemployment, housing prices, and political uncertainty will present obstacles to economic growth this year, the outlook for economic growth in South Carolina is more positive than the national outlook.  This is partially due to our competitive advantage as a business-friendly, right-to-work state.  We have all been thrilled that companies such as Boeing, Continental, Bridgestone and Amazon have chosen to expand here.

On the local economic development front, BMW just announced plans to invest $900 million in its Spartanburg County facility during the next three years, creating 300 jobs, as it ramps up production to 350,000 vehicles.  The expansion will include production of the X4 model vehicle.

Next week, Governor Haley will present her annual State of the State Address to the General Assembly.  I look forward to hearing her vision for 2012 and working with her to keep South Carolina the best state in the nation in which to live, work and play.

As always, if I can ever assist you with state government issues, please do not hesitate to call me or email me.  Besides my email updates, you can keep up with what’s happening at the State House by following me on Facebook and Twitter.  It is an honor to serve you.

Rep. Derham Cole talks about being back at the Statehouse for the 2012 session.

Today we remember the innocent lives lost ten years ago on September 11, 2001. The attacks changed our nation forever. We have moved forward as a nation, but we will never forget that Tuesday morning.

We also will never forget those who died helping others. Many people were saved due to the heroic actions of police, firefighters, and the brave passengers of United Flight 93.

Heroism did not end on September 11. Our men and women in uniform continue to fight to keep our nation safe from terrorism. Many of them have given their lives in this pursuit, and we honor their sacrifice as well.

Lastly, we remember the family and friends of all those who died in the attacks on September 11 and throughout these years of war. Their loss is incomprehensible, but we pray that they will have peace.

Kind regards,

Derham Cole

Please join me on August 22 for a town hall meeting to recap the 2011 Legislative Session.

When: Monday, August 22, at 6 p.m.

Where: Spartanburg High School Atrium, 500 Dupre Drive, Spartanburg, S.C. 29307

Topic: The 2011 Legislative Session in the S.C. House. Other members of the Spartanburg delegation will be in attendance as well.

Please attend, bring a friend, and participate in what I hope will be an opportunity for you to learn more about what we accomplished for you in this year’s session and to give me feedback on how to best represent you in the 2012 session.

Rep. Derham Cole discusses the Congressional redistricting plans along with a town hall meeting he will soon hold.

Rep. Derham Cole gives an update on redistricting and other continuing work at the State House.

This is the last official week of the 2011 legislative session.

The main items on the calendar this week will be the Senate’s amendments to the budget and the tort reform bill. Next week, I will be back in Columbia for House Judiciary Committee meetings on the redistricting plan.

Although this is the last official week of session, the House will be back on June 14 to complete redistricting, finalize the budget, and take up potential vetoes.

Please contact me via my website, Facebook or Twitter to stay updated on House legislation and to let me know your thoughts and concerns on issues coming before the State House.

Kind regards,

Derham Cole

Yesterday, Gov. Nikki Haley signed the Voter ID bill into law, requiring voters to present a photo ID at the polls. The legislation will strengthen the integrity of our elections.

The House also passed the “Amazon Amendment” that would give the online distributor a temporary exemption from collecting sales taxes from South Carolina consumers. The amendment passed 97-20 and will lead to 2,000 new jobs and $125 million in direct investment in our state. Amazon’s presence will also generate secondary economic activity beneficial to South Carolina. After 4.5 years, Amazon will be required to collect and remit sales taxes.

Please watch my latest legislative update!

This week, the House unveiled its initial redistricting plan. In the coming weeks, the plan will be debated in committee and on the House floor. You may view the maps by going to www.schouse.gov and clicking on the “Redistricting” link.

Please let me know your views and these and other issues by contacting me via Twitter, Facebook or my website or e-mail.

Yesterday, Gov. Nikki Haley signed the Voter ID bill into law, requiring voters to present a photo ID at the polls. The legislation will strengthen the integrity of our elections.

The House also passed the “Amazon Amendment” that would give the online distributor a temporary exemption from collecting sales taxes from South Carolina consumers. The amendment passed 97-20 and will lead to 2,000 new jobs and $125 million in direct investment in our state. Amazon’s presence will also generate secondary economic activity beneficial to South Carolina. After 4.5 years, Amazon will be required to collect and remit sales taxes.

Please watch my latest legislative update!

This week, the House unveiled its initial redistricting plan. In the coming weeks, the plan will be debated in committee and on the House floor. You may view the maps by going to www.schouse.gov and clicking on the “Redistricting” link.

Please let me know your views and these and other issues by contacting me via Twitter, Facebook or here on my website.