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.

“Nucor honors Senator Alexander’s commitment to manufacturers and working men and women in the State of South Carolina. We also recognize his support of the recycling industry and his efforts in the South Carolina General Assembly on behalf of the state’s manufacturers,” said Manelli. “Senator Alexander has been an effective voice for members of the recycling and manufacturing industry and citizens in the State of South Carolina as a whole.”

“I am honored to receive such an award. With the ever changing patterns in environmental and world trade policy, it is extremely important for us to work to ensure that domestic manufacturing remains competitive in the global economy, while supporting and promoting clean and efficient recycling as a vital component,” Alexander said in accepting the award.

The senator also thanked the community for its support and kindness. “The foundation of this award is you,” Alexander told a crowd of some 200 gathered at Seneca’ Gignilliat Center for the luncheon event.

“Government needs to be a partner with those who are fighting in the trenches day in and day out,” he added.

Manufacturing is a major contributor to the state’s economy, with 20 percent of the state’s Gross State Product coming from that sector. The manufacturing industry throughout the state has seen a marked and continual decline over the past decade, having lost more than 95,000 jobs.

Nucor Corporation and affiliates manufacture steel products, with operating facilities in 23 states, and Nucor is the nation’s largest recycler and largest steelmaker. The firm employs more than 1,900 people at its four South Carolina locations.

Alexander jokingly suggested to Manelli that if Nucor is looking for any new sites, they could consider Oconee County.

Staff Reports
Upstate Today
May 3, 2008

Serving as your state Senator is an honor and privilege. Since entering public service, I have dedicated myself to a couple of fundamental principals.

First, as a public servant, serving you, my constituents. I enjoy the opportunity to meet with the people and families of the area. And to assist with your needs and the issues having an impact on your lives.

Second, I have tried to give thoughtful, deliberate and honest consideration to the pressing issues of our state government. In Columbia, we deal with issues that will directly impact the lives of South Carolinians. My duty to our great state is one I take very seriously. It is for this reason that I constantly seek reasonable, cost effective solutions to our state’s challenges. As a small businessman, I approach the issues with a sense of fiscal responsibility.

I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how we can work together to improve our state. Please feel free to call on me at home or in Columbia. Thank you for the privilege of serving you. If you wish, please take a moment to fill out my contact form I have provided for your convenience. I would like to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Thomas Alexander

P.S. If you would like to be add to my e-mail list and receive periodical updates about the latest news from the Senate, please click here.

The enactment of the South Carolina Virtual School Program laid the groundwork for a system of online classes for our state’s high school students. Theses virtual schools will hold our students and teachers to the same high standards as traditional classes. By taking advantage of rapidly changing technologies, our students will have a greater variety of courses, moving beyond what is offered at their particular school.

The economic potential of the hydrogen industry for South Carolina is estimated to be 40,000 jobs and a $10 billion capital investment in the state. That’s why we’ve created The South Carolina Hydrogen Infrastructure Development Fund. This will keep South Carolina at the forefront of the hydrogen revolution, and bring an exciting new industry and jobs to us.

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.

State Sen. Billy O’Dell, R-Ware Shoals, supports the 30-cent increase in the cigarette tax. Most fellow legislators support some kind of increase, he said.

“I think there’s a very good chance that a tax increase would pass,” he said. “I would support an increase in the 37 cents range at this point. It’s across the board. I saw a survey this week that showed people supporting anywhere from no increase to a dollar increase.”

South Carolina’s 7 cents-per-pack tax has not been raised since 1977.

“We’re looking at least to bring it up to what that 7 cents would be percentage-wise of a pack of cigarettes in 2008,” Sen. Alexander said. I’m chairing a special committee of the Finance Committee that’s dealing with the cigarette tax issue. I’ve been involved with it for several weeks now and will be continuing ongoing dialogue with the different committee members. The schedule is for us to report back to the full committee of finance in about three weeks.”

One sticking point with the proposed tax increase legislation is how the generated money will be spent.

“We want it to be a revenue neutral type of a program,” Sen. Alexander said. “We are looking at several different things in the framework of how the generated tax money would be spent. One area is affordable health care. We need accessible and affordable health care, especially for the uninsured citizens in South Carolina. The rate of uninsured citizens continues to grow at a rapid rate.”

Sen. O’Dell said he would like to see the additional revenue go to fund healthcare. He serves on the full committee, which will likely hear a recommendation from Sen. Alexander’s committee next week.

As soon as the full Senate approves the proposed cigarette tax increase legislation that Sen. Alexander’s special finance subcommittee is crafting then it will be sent back to the House for their consideration and more debate in the South Carolina Legislature.

Anderson Independent-Mail reporter Samantha Harris contributed to this article.

From the Anderson Independent Mail
Chad Dorsett
2/2/08

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.

“We’re in pretty good shape,” said Eddie Adams, chairman of the Oconee County Republican Party. “We’re still looking in District 4.”

Republican incumbent Martin Lyles has not indicated he would seek another term on county council from District 4 which is the greater Westminster area.

Incumbent Republican council members Frank Ables in District 5 and Tommy Crumpton in District 2 have signed up to run for another four-year term.

District 5 includes much of southern Oconee County and its eastern border on Hartwell Lake while District 2 is the greater Walhalla area.

Oconee County Sheriff James Singleton has filed for re-election and the Republican sheriff is seeking an historic fifth term.

Clerk of Court Sallie Smith, a Democrat, is retiring, but her long-time assistant Beverly Whitfield, has filed to run as a Republican.

Linda Nix is retiring as the county’s auditor and Ken Nix, who recently retired from Oconee Memorial Hospital, has filed to run for the office as a Republican.

Mr. Adams said he expects Coroner Karl Addis to file this week for re-election.

Ken Campbell, chairman of the Oconee County Democratic Party said he was still in discussion with candidates for local offices and House seats.

Mr. Campbell also said having two candidates fighting it out for the Democratic Party presidential slot on the ticket has affected even the local races.

“Ultimately, a decision at the top is still a ways off and I think who’s on the ticket creates a certain uncertainty and I can understand and respect that,” Mr. Campbell said.

Filing ends at noon on March 30 and those interested in the Democratic Party ticket can call Mr. Campbell at (864) 784-9075 and those interested in the Republican Party ticket can call Mr. Adams at (864) 888-2001.

From the Anderson Independent
By David Williams (Contact)
Originally published 04:44 p.m., March 17, 2008
Updated 04:44 p.m., March 17, 2008

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.

Clip from the AP | March 2, 2008 

In 2006 I supported a plan to reduce property taxes by $500 million across the state. Homeowners across the state demanded relief and we got the job done. This reduction was especially beneficial for our seniors on fixed incomes.

This past year I supported for a plan to relieve the tax burden on South Carolina’s working families by over $220 million. Included in the 2006 property tax relief package was a reduction in the state grocery tax 2 percent from 5 percent down to 3 percent. The 2007 plan completely eliminated the grocery tax by removing the additional 3 percent sales tax, saving taxpayers more than $200 million per year.

Personal income taxes were also decreased by $86 million a year, decreasing them for all South Carolina taxpayers.

You can count on me to continue being a dependable voice for tax cuts.

We have also heightened the penalties for people with false identification and documentation, and for people involved in the trafficking of illegal immigrants. With tough laws and increased investigative powers, we are choosing to enforce the rule of law in South Carolina to ensure the safety and security of our communities.