Loading ...
Alexander lauded as ‘Man of Steel’
Nucor Steel South Carolina presented its “Man of Steel” Award to Senator Thomas Alexander Friday. The honor recognized Alexander for his leadership in the South Carolina Legislature to strengthen American manufacturing and his support for recycling and sound environmental policies.
Nucor Steel South Carolina Controller Matt Manelli commended Alexander’s efforts on issues affecting South Carolina’s manufacturers, and his work as a member of the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, which has promoted a balanced approach to business and environmental policies. Read more
Anderson Independent | Senators back cigarette tax increase
WALHALLA — A hot topic in the South Carolina Senate this legislative session is a measure to raise the state’s cigarette tax.
The state’s tax is the lowest in the nation at 7 cents a pack. Last year, the House approved legislation to increase the tax by 30 cents and sent it to the Senate for consideration.
“We are in the process of having a subcommittee that’s looking at trying to deal with increasing the cigarette tax,” said State Sen. Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla, who represents Oconee County and the greater Clemson area in Pickens County.
Sen. Alexander is chairing a special committee looking at the cigarette tax issue in the Senate.
Senator Alexander on Energy Efficiency
Anderson Independent | Oconee Republicans fill slots early
WALHALLA — The political season in Oconee County opened with a surge of Republicans filing while officials with the Democratic Party say their candidates are waiting until the filing period deadline gets closer before signing on the dotted line.
All three members of the Oconee County legislation delegation that live in the county filed first thing Monday morning.
State Representatives Bill Whitmire, R-Walhalla, who has served in the House since 2003 and is seeking a fourth two-year term, Rep. Bill Sandifer, R-Seneca, who has served since 1995 and state Senator Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla, who served in the House from 1987 to 1994 and who has been a Senator since 1994 all filed at 9 a.m. Monday.
Read more
AP | Cigarette tax plans doing slow burn in state Senate
State senators say they are willing to wait for a compromise to raise the state’s lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax.
State Senator Thomas Alexander says a Senate panel is considering adding 45 cents per pack to the current seven cents tax. Alexander says the extra money would go to health care.
One idea gaining momentum is using the extra revenue for tax credits to buy health policies. Supporters say it would help businesses and individuals afford the costly coverage.
But Senate Minority Leader John Land said lawmakers should first make sure all the state’s children have health care insurance.
Some children currently without it could be covered by an expansion of the existing federal-state children’s health insurance program run through Medicaid.