City Quick Connect Podcast from the Municipal Association of South Carolina

Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss the newly passed liquor liability reform bill with Steve Cook, owner of four Columbia-area restaurants, who advocated for it as a member of the Responsible Hospitality Reform Alliance. They discuss the impacts of liquor liability insurance costs on the restaurant industry, and how municipalities can work with business owners in attracting restaurant development.

Act 176, the Business License Tax Standardization Act, requires municipalities with a business license to update their class schedule every odd-numbered year, including 2025. Manager for Local Revenue Services Caitlin Cothran and Revenue Analyst Kaylee Summerton discuss how the process works, details to consider and resources available to help business license administrators.

Municipal Association Executive Director Todd Glover and Chief Operating Officer Jake Broom preview the 2025 Annual Meeting, taking place on Hilton Head Island July 16 – 20. It will have sessions focused on civility and communication in local government, attracting remote workers, gun violence reduction, competing for commercial development, and the new IMPACT Fund grant, among others. Learn more:...

Daina Riley Phillips and Erica Wright join the podcast to talk about the work of the SC Department of Transportation Modernization Ad Hoc Committee, passage of the military TIF district bill and the version of the state budget to come out of conference committee.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss the state’s newly passed liquor liability reform bill, H3430, which addresses one of the Municipal Association’s Advocacy Initiatives for this legislative session. The new law changes how liability for damages are assigned to bars and restaurants selling alcohol. It also establishes new requirements for alcohol server training, and steps businesses can take to r...

As the regular session ends, Casey Fields and Jake Broom cover passage of a liquor liability bill and the state budget entering into conference committee. They also discuss bills that must now wait until 2026 for further action, including the zero-millage bill and income tax reform.

With three legislative days left in the regular session, Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss passage of the military tax increment financing bill, and the advancement of both the zero-millage bill and the boat tax reduction bill.

With the legislative session soon coming to a close, Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss the Senate version of the state budget, with a proviso that would increase municipalities’ payments for the housing of juveniles in SC Department of Juvenile Justice detention facilities. They also cover the short-term rental bill stalling in subcommittee.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss the latest developments on the zero-millage bill, the lack of movement on the boat property tax bill, and the next steps for the military tax increment financing district bill.

Casey Fields, Daina Riley Phillips and Erica Wright discuss the ongoing work on the state budget, including the announcement that there will be no earmarks in this year’s budget, as lawmakers work to use revenue for a statewide income tax deduction.

Municipal Association Legislative and Public Policy Advocate Daina Riley Phillips explains the state budget debate to take place next week in the Senate Finance Committee. Legislative and Public Policy Advocate Erica Wright describes the movement happening for both the House and the Senate versions of the military tax increment financing bills.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss the proposed SC Energy Security Act as well as the Senate and House versions of military tax increment financing district bills, both of which are moving forward.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom take a look at the newly amended Senate version of the liquor liability bill, as well as the proposed SC Energy Security Act and the bill that would allow credit unions to receive public fund deposits, such as from municipalities.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom cover the House version of the state budget, which would fully fund the Local Government Fund and also provide for Hurricane Helene relief, bridge modernization and a statewide Water and Sewer Fund. They also explore the ongoing debate over the Senate version of tort reform and liquor liability reform.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss progress on the liquor liability insurance issue in the SC House, as well as the Senate bill that would allow cities to spend military tax increment financing district funds on affordable housing projects.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom take a look at the progress of S244, the tort reform bill, as well as the House subcommittee consideration of bills involving annexation notices for county governments and building permit timelines.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom review the House Ways and Means Committee version of the state budget, which fully funds the Local Government Fund, provides $222.3 million in Hurricane Helene relief, and supports bridge modernization and beach renourishment. They also discuss ongoing testimony on the liquor liability bills under consideration.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom cover action on bills that would impact electric utilities, annexation of agricultural land, liquor liability and boat taxes. They also cover the adjournment of debate on the bill that would prohibit the SC Department of Environmental Services from denying property owners the right to repair or replace wells or septic tanks.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss bills that would create a property tax exemption for nonprofits, restrict annexation of farm properties, and prohibit cities from denying septic tank or private well installations. They also explain subcommittee action on bills aimed at reducing the burden of liquor liability insurance costs on businesses.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom talk about the SC House debating changes to its governing rules, Gov. Henry McMaster’s push to revive the project expanding the V.C. Summer nuclear plant, as well as ongoing debate on liquor liability and tort reform.

On a week with snowy weather disrupting legislative work, Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss several election-related bills in the General Assembly. These include S36, which concerns polling locations; S37, which would require municipalities to choose one of two election dates; and S38, which would set specific dates for special elections.

Casey Fields and Jake Broom discuss the first week of the 2025 legislative session, including testimony on maintaining municipal funding levels from the Local Government Fund, an initial look at state budget projections, and H3309, which would make changes to electric utility regulations.

Municipal Association of SC Director of Advocacy Casey Fields and Chief Operating Officer Jake Broom discuss the 2025 – 26 legislative session, including the new makeup of the General Assembly, how local officials can be a part of the process, and the new legislative tracking system. They also talk about what to expect at the Association’s Hometown Legislative Action Day on January 21 in Columbia.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opened many federal funding opportunities to cities and towns. Municipal Association Legislative and Public Policy Advocate Erica Wright talks with Lake City Grants Writer Lisa Jones about Jones’ experiences working with the National League of Cities’ Local Infrastructure Hub to support her grant writing efforts, and the funding Lake City has received as a result....

Sewer backups can be a costly and challenging issue for public works staff to address. John Ciesielski and Kayde Niemira of the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Risk Management Services discuss prevention and maintenance efforts, as well as how to handle liability for backups.