The House of Representatives is out of session for 2011. I hope that you find this update about information around District 81 and at the State House helpful and informative:
Best Wishes for the New School Year: Thousands of students and teachers across our district start school this week. While most schools may have been closed the past couple of months, our teachers have been working toward this week where they will greet their students with the same passion, dedication, and concern which they always bring to the profession. I suspect most everyone reading this column can think of the teachers who made a difference in their lives somewhere along the way. Good, caring teachers and an emphasis on the basics are critical to the future of our state and our nation.
South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT): An article ran in the papers over the weekend that the SCDOT is having financial problems. I talked with the Director’s staff this morning and was advised that the DOT has several alternatives for helping its cash flow. Those alternatives are being considered this week and should be resolved later this month. Updated vendor/contractor information can be obtained at www.scdot.org.
Aiken County Legislative Delegation Meeting: The Aiken County Legislative Delegation met this past Monday, August 8 at 6:00 p.m. at the Aiken County Council Chambers. The delegation selected Cynthia Holland as the new director of the County Voter Registration and Elections Office. The delegation also heard from the City of North Augusta and Aiken County as to requests for use of water recreation money. Neither request was approved as the delegation requested more information. The next delegation meeting is on Monday, October 3, 2011.
Legislative Scorecard: The South Carolina Chamber released its annual legislative scorecard. I scored a “100.” To see the scorecard, go here.
Planning for the 2012 Legislative Session: The 2012 legislative session will convene on the second Tuesday in January. I am seeking input from constituents on the critical issues facing our state and area including tax reform; spending reform; K-12 education; the costs of higher education; health care; economic development; job growth; and the underfunded liabilities in our state’s retirement systems. Your input is welcome on any issue important to you. Please email me back or contact me by phone or in person at your convenience.
Summary of Unemployment Insurance Tax Relief: Senator Ryberg from Aiken recently wrote an article for South Carolina Business magazine on the unemployment insurance tax relief passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. To see the article, go here.
Great Advice for New College Students: Recently, I read an article about advice that Coach Jay Mills, Head Football Coach at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, S.C., provided to his son as he went off to college. I thought it is very good advice for any young person going out on his or her own. To see the article, go here.
SRS Draft Strategic Plan: Last month, the DOE released the draft 2011 SRS Strategic Plan with further details regarding how DOE will start moving toward and achieving a future vision for SRS. The plan can be seen on the SRS website by accessing the link on the right hand side of this website: www.srs.gov. According to DOE, the plan outlines how current missions support Site operations and identifies high level assumptions and strategic objectives that will drive DOE’s planning as DOE looks to transform SRS for future missions that effectively utilize the site’s physical, technological and human assets. DOE seeks your input and welcomes your comments which may be sent electronically to Richard.Olsen@srs.gov or mailed to his attention at:
Richard Olsen
U.S. Department of Energy
Building 730-B, Room 3468
Aiken, S.C. 29803
Comments will be accepted through the end of August and the final plan released in early fall.
Grass Cutting in the SCDOT Right of Way: Grass is growing in right of ways around our district. DOT has hired a contractor to cut the grass. If you are aware of an area where high grass is obstructing vision for drivers as they enter or exit certain roads in our County, please call the SCDOT at 641-7665 or let me know and I will pass on the information.
End of Session Town Meetings: Like the past two years, I plan to hold end of session town meetings around the district. Based on constituent requests, I will hold those after Labor Day. The dates, times, and locations will be provided in future updates.
Aiken Senior Extravaganza 2011: The City of Aiken will have its annual Aiken Senior Extravaganza again on Wednesday, September 21 at the H. Odell Weeks Center from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The event offers seniors, and those interested in issues facing seniors, an opportunity to spend a day in educational seminars and to browse the display fair. The educational seminars will be limited to the first 300 people to register including a t-shirt and catered lunch with Keynote speaker. The Health Fair and displays will be open to the public and pre-registration is not required. Age: 50 and over: Cost: FREE : Wednesday, September 21, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. For more information, please call 642-7631.
Speaking to Groups Around the District: Several local groups have asked me to attend one of their meetings to provide an end of session report. If you have a group that would like for me to come to a meeting during the next few months, please let me know.
Help for Displaced SRS Workers: If you or someone you know lost a job at SRS, there is a One-Stop Transition Center open in downtown Aiken at Park Avenue and Laurens Street to assist workers displaced at SRS with finding new work. The Center is open from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. For more information, visit www.workforce.psa-inc.com.
Report Waste, Fraud and Abuse in State Government: To report waste, fraud and abuse in state government, you can call: 1-855-SC-FRAUD.
Roll Call Voting: There is a new link available to keep up with all the roll call votes in the S.C. House. That link can be accessed at either my website at www.reptomyoung.com or at the www.scstatehouse.gov website.
Facebook: I have a Facebook page for Representative Tom Young. Please “like” the page to receive updates during the week from me on Facebook.
Tom Young’s Website: My updated website can be reached at www.reptomyoung.com. There are links to a variety of constituent services; the status of sponsored bills; and roll call votes. Please add my web site as a bookmark on your computer.
State House Tours: Tours are available for the S.C. State House by calling (803) 734-2430.
Email Updates: If you know of people in or around District 81 who do not receive my updates but they would like to, please email their names and email addresses to me.
Road Issues: If you see a road problem, call the SCDOT at 641-7665 or Aiken County at 642-1532 to report the problem. If you do not get a prompt response, please let me know at TomYoung@schouse.gov or call me. Generally, most paved roads in the County are maintained by SCDOT and are identified on the road sign poles by a small black and white sign listing the road number, such as S-2-1669. Most unpaved roads in the County are maintained by the County.
Thank you for the opportunity and the honor to represent you. Please let me know if I can help you in any way or if you have questions about these or other issues. Your feedback is meaningful and appreciated.
Sincerely,
Tom Young
649-0000 (o)
215-3631 (cell)
P.S. Please visit www.reptomyoung.com for more posts, news, video updates, and, if you have Twitter, please click here to start following me!
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