City Quick Connect Podcast from the Municipal Association of South Carolina

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...

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...

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 rest...

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.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the election reform bill that would expand early voting, the proposed budget proviso that would increase State Health Plan employer premiums, the tax cut bill and the Association’s testimony about following the law on increasing Local Government Fund allocations.

Scott Slatton, Casey Fields and Joannie Nickel discuss the bill that would extend state development permits, the bill that would ban holding phones while driving, the General Assembly’s income tax cut proposals and the status of the state budget.

Casey Fields, Scott Slatton and Erica Wright talk about the bill that would give cities with small revenues an alternative to a full audit, election bills and state American Rescue Plan allocations, including for water systems.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about the medical cannabis bill, the distribution of the Savannah River Site settlement funds, work on the state allocations for the American Rescue Plan, and the bill that would abolish municipal election commissions.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the medical marijuana bill and the proposals for allocating state American Rescue Plan funds, including the potential for using ARP money for water systems.

Hear from two veteran political experts from both sides of the aisle to talk about upcoming election cycles. The panel features Reagan Kelley, director of communications and legislative policy for the South Carolina Senate Majority Caucus, and Antjuan Seawright of Blueprint Strategy, LLC. Inman Mayor Cornelius Huff moderates.

Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon offers the report of the Municipal Association’s legislative committee, and the Association’s advocacy team talks through numerous key issues currently debated at the State House. Hear from Scott Slatton, director of advocacy and communications, as well as legislative and public policy advocates Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright.

Todd Glover, executive director of the Municipal Association of SC, highlights the impact of legislative advocacy for South Carolina’s cities and towns, and takes a look at the Association’s strategic plan for the coming years: economic development, workforce and civility in government.

City of Rock Hill Councilmember Kathy Pender, president of the Municipal Association of SC, examines the ways that South Carolina’s cities and towns have risen to the challenges of the pandemic, and what will come next for the state’s municipalities.

Alyssa Leigh Richardson, state director and deputy chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, as well as David O’Neal, district director for U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, talk about how local government leaders can foster strong relationships with the congressional representatives. Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon moderates.

Reps. Chandra Dillard, Tommy Pope and Chris Wooten, and Sen. Shane Massey discuss current law enforcement reform proposals in the General Assembly. Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy moderates.

Matt Lehrman of Social Prosperity Partners, who presented during Hometown Legislative Action Day, speaks with Scott Slatton about how to move conflicts in municipal discourse to a point of productive conversation.

Casey Fields, Scott Slatton, Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright discuss the medical marijuana bill, inclusionary zoning bill and hospital regulation; and preview Hometown Legislative Action Day on February 1.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss adjournment of debate on the bill that proposed city council representation for nonmunicipal water customers, and also discuss the hands-free cell phone bill and the squatted truck bill.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about what the 2022 legislative session could look like as well as the congressional redistricting process, debate over certificates of need for hospitals, and the funding decisions facing the General Assembly.

Annual renewals begin in January for the Municipal Association’s various affiliate associations, which fulfill many professional development needs for city and town staff. Ken Ivey, manager of member services, as well as Elizabeth Copeland and Sara Whitaker, both of whom are staff associate for affiliate services, discuss the different affiliates and the training opportunities they offer. Learn mo...

The Municipal Association will host monthly virtual meetings in 2022 to talk through the many issues involved in the business licensing process following the enactment of the new law standardizing business licensing processes. Manager for Local Revenue Services Caitlin Cothran and Revenue Analyst Kaylee Summerton explain.