State House Report #3 -  Shannon Erickson - House District 124 Highlights of the First 8 Weeks!

I've been serving you in the SC House of Representatives for eight weeks now and I can honestly tell you that the time has flown by. I promised to hit the ground running and I have! The overview of February in the House is pretty heavy for a short month. Early on in this session, we took up illegal immigration, passed it, sent it to the Senate where it was changed, and now it awaiting a conference committee to iron it out. I’ve heard from many of you about this and I hear your concerns. Please remember that it is a beginning stab at a very large issue. In support of a stronger economy, we passed a small business insurance bill that will allow folks to band together to qualify for group rates and it has already been signed by the Governor. We've debated a renewable energy bill that will push our state forward in finding the best energy sources for our state. I was proud to push for an amendment on that bill that kept nuclear as part of our energy package discussion but did not include it under the "renewable" definition. We've taken on the "Education Accountability Act" that will assist our state's educators by phasing out the PACT tests and allow them to have more comprehensive, nationally normed possibilities for judging where our children are academically. This bill will now move to the Senate. Soon, we will work on stronger DUI laws and our budget which is sure to be a tough week. I have been visited by so many of you and I am honored. Thank you for your interests and passions! You inspire me every day and I am thankful that I live in a community where we all join hands and work for a better world...locally, statewide, countrywide & globally! Just to mention a few: Thanks to Patrick Moore & Vicki Verity for dropping in to discuss annexation issues. Thanks to Jim Bequette & Jerry Stewart for visiting to discuss our county and school needs. Thanks to Dr. Ed Wise for bringing me SC Dental Association information. Thanks to Denise Carter who came to share optometric issues with me and Rick Toomey from Beaufort Memorial to share hospital issues. Thanks to Donnie Beer & Scott Dadson from the City of Beaufort for coming up to share their topics. I must mention my Hobbit Hill staff (Janet, Laurie & Lori) who visited during the South Carolina Child Care Association's annual convention. Truly, I could go on, but the most important thing is that you all care enough to share your thoughts, ideas, and viewpoints with me. I ALWAYS want to hear from you about what matters to you. Please remember, I am SO honored that you have trusted me to be your voice in Columbia and I am keeping my promise to be noisy...and heard. In this regard, I am pleased to report being assigned to the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee. I believe this committee reflects the unique needs of our community and allows me an opportunity to participate, at committee level, in our search for solutions to the challenges of today. As one of the newest members, I have stepped up to the plate in my committee meetings and the committee chairman told me that I acted like I'd been there forever. On the floor of the House, I've been to the podium a few times and will do so again as the need arises, especially if the budget is as tight as we believe it will be. I will fight for funding for Penn Center, USCB, TCL and Hunting Island. I, along with all of the Beaufort delegation, am working to get dollars to our area. The past 8 weeks have been incredible but there have been ups, downs, trials & tribulations. I have celebrated Betsey & Bill Robinson's 40th anniversary and their service to our community during those years. I attended the Beaufort Women's Center banquet & was awed by Mary Thibault's incredible adoption story. I have enjoyed the Beaufort High School "Musical Chairs" event and the Junior Service League's BBQ for the Boys & Girls Club. I have grieved with the Konoza family over Holly's lost battle with cancer and with the Reynolds’ family as they said farewell to Tony. What I witness in all of these times is our steadfast commitment to one another. Beaufort is such a special place and I am so honored that you allow me to be your voice in Columbia. Come see me, drop me an email, or give me a call! I am here if you need me...anytime, anywhere! Shannon Representative Shannon Erickson 129 S. Hermitage Road Beaufort, SC 29902 843.525.1439 (home) 843.986.1090 (work) 843.263.1867 (cell) 803.734.3261 (Columbia office) shannonerickson@schouse.org (Columbia email) 306 - A Blatt Building Columbia, SC 29211 (Columbia office) www.electshannon.com