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The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned and was called to order by the ACTING PRESIDENT, Senator LOURIE.

TO:     The Clerk of the Senate

The Clerk of the House
FROM:   Alexander S. Macaulay

Chairman, Joint Legislative Screening Committee to Review Candidates for the Health and Human Services Finance Commission
DATE:   April 25, 1990

In compliance with Chapter 19 of Title 2 of the 1976 Code, it is respectfully requested that the following information be printed in the Journals of the House and Senate.

Pursuant to Chapter 19 of Title 2 of the 1976 Code, this Screening Committee was convened to consider the qualifications of candidates seeking to serve on the Health and Human Services Finance Commission from the First, Third, and Fifth Congressional Districts.

The Screening Committee is charged by law to consider the qualifications of the candidates. When notice is received that an individual intends to seek election or reelection to the Commission, the Committee conducts such investigation of the candidate as it deems appropriate and reports its Findings to the General Assembly prior to the election. It is not the function of the Committee to recommend one candidate over another or to suggest to the individual legislator for whom to vote. Our role is, instead, that of determining whether a candidate is qualified to serve on the Commission and under the statute our determination in that regard is not binding on the General Assembly.

The following candidates have applied to the respective positions:

Mr. George Pinckney Knight   First Congressional District

Ms. Mary Catherine L. Scott   Third Congressional District

Mr. George Fred Tolly, Jr.   Third Congressional District

Mr. James Thomas McCray   Fifth Congressional District

Having completed the investigation as required by law, the Committee, by this Report, respectfully submits its Findings to the members of the General Assembly for their consideration.

The Report consists of the Transcript of the Proceedings before the Screening Committee held on March 29, 1990, and the documents submitted by the candidates which were made part of the public record. The candidates filed a Personal Data Questionnaire, a Statement of Economic Interest, letters of reference and a background investigation conducted by SLED. Documents may be viewed in the Office of Alexander Macaulay, Chairman, Suite 612 of the Gressette Office Building until the date and time of the election.

The candidates were present at the screening and testified under oath.

Senator Macaulay   Lady and Gentlemen, I'm Alex Macaulay and I Chair the Joint Screening Committee for Health and Human Services Finance Commission. For your benefit, we have Representative B.L. Hendricks, Representative Jarvis Klapman, Representative McKinley Washington, and Senator Helmly and myself. Representative Blackwell is not going to be able to make it today. We are checking to see if Senators Courson and Peeler are going to be here. I appreciate all of you being here and as soon as I hear back from Senators Courson and Peeler we will get started. The record will be available for all members of the Committee and rather than keeping anyone waiting any longer, with the Committee's permission, we will start the hearing. In order to do this if you will all please stand, all candidates, and I will ask you to raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony that you give here today will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.
Candidates               I do
Senator Macaulay   Thank you.
From the First Congressional District, George P. Knight. Mr. Knight if you would please for the record, give us your full name.
Mr. Knight   George Pinckney Knight
Senator Macaulay   Where do you reside?
Mr. Knight     Route 1, Box 12, Harleyville, South Carolina
Senator Macaulay   What Congressional District is that?
Mr. Knight   First
Senator Macaulay   Have you been hospitalized or had any serious illness or any medical problems in the past year?
Mr. Knight   None whatsoever.
Senator Macaulay   To your knowledge, do you have any health problems which might hinder your ability to perform the duties of the office?
Mr. Knight   No sir, I don't.
Senator Macaulay   Do you have any business obligations, being it employment or other commitments, that would prohibit you from attending the meetings or putting in time needed to serve this office?
Mr. Knight   No sir, I don't.
Senator Macaulay   Do you or your family have any business interests that would present a conflict of interest in your holding this position?
Mr. Knight   None. No Sir.
Senator Macaulay   Are you or any of your family related to anybody affiliated with the Health and Human Services Finance Commission?
Mr. Knight   No sir, none.
Senator Macaulay   Have you ever been discharged from any employment?
Mr. Knight   No sir.
Senator Macaulay   Do you have any statement that you would like to make as to why you seek this position?
Mr. Knight   None, except I have a serious curious interest in the Health and Human Service Finance Commission and I would like to serve on this Commission.
Senator Macaulay   I noticed that we have the Honorable George Bailey here with you today. Is he here in support of your candidacy?
Mr. Knight   He is, yes sir.
Senator Macaulay   Well that speaks well of you right there. Any other questions from the Committee? Mr. Hendricks?
Rep. Hendricks   You have not served on this Commission before, is that right?
Mr. Knight   No sir.
Senator Macaulay   Mr. Klapman.
Rep. Klapman   What experience have you had? I've read your resume, and the finance part I think you are well qualified. I'm just interested to know what kind of experience you have had in the health field.
Mr. Knight   None other than the ___________, and a casual interest in it.
Rep. Washington   Mr. Knight, are you familiar with the responsibility of the Health and Human Service Finance Commission?
Mr. Knight   Yes sir, I believe so.
Rep. Washington   What are your feelings about the nursing home industry, the nursing expansion, or do you think that Health and Human Service Finance Commission ought to be helping to increase nursing beds, etc. in this State, and your feeling about medicare and medicaid program that the Health and Human Service Finance Commission has to administer and involved in. Do you have any kind of indication as to what is going to be involved in this area, and if so, what is your sensitivity towards these issues?
Mr. Knight   Yes sir. I think that health care, health care delivery is one of the most pressing problems of our time, of our people and certainly of our government, and I am quite sure that there is going to have to be expanded more and better is my feeling about it, and that is exactly what I would like to see. Nursing homes are a vital part of our existence, I would say, and I myself would look very favorably upon this.
Rep. Washington   What are your feelings about the social services programs in this State which is also the HHFC's has a great responsibility in allocation and recommendations including child development, child care, etc. What are your feelings toward that, what do you think, or what experience have you had in this particular area.
Mr. Knight   I have had some experience, of course my resume would show some service on County Council in Dorchester County. My record was in support of our social service programs and I believe they are vital and necessary, and would be my aim to see that they be continued or made better.
Senator Helmly   Mr. Knight you don't have any interests in nursing homes or hospitals or anything like that do you?
Mr. Knight   Financial interests?
Senator Helmly   Yes sir
Mr. Knight   None whatsoever
Senator Helmly   Did you happen to be on Council when we assessed the county's 4.5 million dollars under the Assistance Act some 2 1/2, three years ago? You probably were.
Mr. Knight   I don't believe I was. I was there when we made our first effort in Dorchester County for indigent medical care.
Senator Macaulay   Any further questions from the Committee? Thank you Mr. Knight.
Mr. Knight   Thank you very much.
Senator Macaulay   The next Congressional District is the Third Congressional District and Catherine L. Scott. Again we will follow the same procedure. Again if you would please, give us your full name.
Ms. Scott   Mary Catherine Ledford Scott
Senator Macaulay   Where do you reside?
Ms. Scott   Easley, South Carolina
Senator Macaulay   What Congressional District is that?
Ms. Scott   The third
Senator Macaulay   Have you been hospitalized or had any serious illness or any medical problems in the past year?
Ms. Scott   No.
Senator Macaulay   To your knowledge, do you have any health problem which might hinder your ability to perform the duties of the office?
Ms. Scott   No.
Senator Macaulay   Do you have any business obligations, being it employment or other commitment that would prohibit you from attending the meeting or putting in the time needed to service in that office?
Ms. Scott   No.
Senator Macaulay   Do you or your family have any business connections or interest that would present a conflict of interest in your holding this position?
Ms. Scott   No.
Senator Macaulay   Are you or any of your family related to anybody affiliated with the Health and Human Services Finance Commission?
Ms. Scott   No.
Senator Macaulay   Have you ever been discharged from any employment.
Ms. Scott   No.
Senator Macaulay   Do you have any statement that you would like to make as to your serving on the Health and Human Services Finance Commission?
Ms. Scott   I believe that to most of you I have spoken this week regarding my interest in the Commission which has been strictly a personal interest as the result of a commitment to my father upon his death that I would work for the elderly and for cancer victims. In doing so, I became acquainted with numerous people who have benefited from the medicaid programs, in particular the community long term care. So it is with dedication and tremendous commitment that I offer my services.
Senator Macaulay   Thank you very much. Are there any questions from the Committee? Mr. Klapman?
Rep. Klapman   What areas of volunteerism are you involved in?
Ms. Scott   My father and my grandmother both died of cancer and my grandmother had been in the medical community for 50 years and was a nurse. My sister is a nurse, so I have been involved in a lot of medical-related volunteer programs. In particular the Greenville County Cancer Society. I have also done numerous things with the United Christian Ministries and if you are familiar with the United Christian Ministries they provide immediate care to those in need while it doesn't really speak to issues that would involve medicaid and community long term care projects. It did give me insight into the needs of the people who would benefit from these programs.
Rep. Washington   Have you served on any other boards or commissions at this time?
Ms. Scott   Not any local boards or commissions. I have held various offices, American Association of University Women, Alumni Association, Professional Women's Association. I have held offices, but not a local board.
Senator Macaulay   Are there any further questions? Thank you very much.
Senator Macaulay   The next is George Fred Tolly, Jr. Could you please give us your full name?
Mr. Tolly   Yes sir. George Fred Tolly, Jr.
Senator Macaulay   Where do you reside.
Mr. Tolly   Anderson, South Carolina
Senator Macaulay   What Congressional district is that?
Mr. Tolly   Third sir
Senator Macaulay   Have you been hospitalized or had any serious illness or any medical problems in the past year?
Mr. Tolly   No sir, I have not.
Senator Macaulay   To your knowledge, do you have any health problem that might hinder your ability to perform the duties of the office?
Mr. Tolly   No sir, I do not.
Senator Macaulay   Do you have any business obligation, being employment or other commitments, that would prohibit you from attending the meetings or putting in the time needed to serve in the office?
Mr. Tolly   No sir, I do not.
Senator Macaulay   Do you or your family have any business interests that would present a conflict of interest in your holding this position?
Mr. Tolly   No sir, I do not.
Senator Macaulay   Are you or any of your family related to anybody affiliated with the Health and Human Services Finance Commission?
Mr. Tolly   No sir.
Senator Macaulay   Have you ever been discharged from any employment?
Mr. Tolly   No sir.
Senator Macaulay   Do you have a statement you would like to make as to why you are seeking this office?
Mr. Tolly   Yes sir. I will make a brief statement. I just wanted to say that the Lord and the State of South Carolina has been extremely good to me and I am going to be retiring next year. I felt like I might in some way bring some talent and experience to the Commission, therefore, I would like to be able to serve the Commission.
Senator Macaulay   Senator Helmly?
Senator Helmly   I believe you served on the Board of the Anderson County Hospital?
Mr. Tolly   That's correct. Yes sir.
Senator Helmly   You would be very diligent in being sure that you didn't let your biases to this hospital influence you I'm sure. I understand that you were an excellent Board member, but you would have to be very careful with that I would think from time to time.
Mr. Tolly   Yes sir, I would certainly try to be.
Senator Helmly   I believe you would, I have known your integrity.
Senator Macaulay   Are there any other questions? Thank you very much Mr. Tolly.
Mr. Tolly   Thank you.
Senator Macaulay   Our last candidate is from the Fifth Congressional District, Mr. James T. McCray. If you would for the record please, give us your full name.
Mr. McCray   James Thomas McCray.
Senator Macaulay   Where do you reside?
Mr. McCray   Route 2, Box 219, Pageland, South Carolina
Senator Macaulay   What Congressional District is that?
Mr. McCray   The Fifth District.
Senator Macaulay   Have you been hospitalized or had any serious illness or medical problems in the past year?
Mr. McCray   Your honor, I have rheumatoid arthritis, but I do have it under control.
Senator Macaulay   My father used to have arthritis, as he used to say it's not something you die of, you die with it.
Mr. McCray   That's right. I had to retire because of it. That is one of the reasons I wanted to serve on this Board. You have to have a challenge to go every day.
Senator Macaulay   To your knowledge, do you have any health problem which might hinder your ability to perform the duties of this office.
Mr. McCray   No sir, not to my knowledge.
Senator Macaulay   You are satisfied that the arthritis would not hinder you.
Mr. McCray   I have a good doctor that has me under close care.
Senator Macaulay   Do you have any business obligations, being it employment or other commitments, that would prohibit you from attending the meetings or putting in the time needed for serving this office?
Mr. McCray   No sir, I do not.
Senator Macaulay   Do you or your family have any business interests that would present a conflict of interest in your holding this position?
Mr. McCray   No sir.
Senator Macaulay   Are you or any of your family related to anybody affiliated with the Health and Human Service Finance Commission?
Mr. McCray   No sir.
Senator Macaulay   Have you ever been discharged from any employment?
Mr. McCray   No sir.
Senator Macaulay   Do you have a statement or anything you might present to the Committee as to why you are interested in serving in this capacity.
Mr. McCray   Sir, I worked for Springs Mills for 37 1/2 years. I was in charge of the safety program for the plant for a number of years. I learned from that that human health is a very important fact, in employment as well as in personal life. With the time I have now, as I have stated already, I need a challenge. I would love to serve on this Board and would like to do something to contribute to mankind. I have a strong desire for young people and old people. The in-betweens can take care of themselves. However, I am interested in them, but these other two groups are important to us. I am real proud of the State of South Carolina. I was born and reared here. I live about a half a mile from where I was born. I have really migrated quite a distance. But I am interested and proud of the State of South Carolina when I heard the report yesterday that we were fifth in the nation on management of our State and it made me feel real good. One of the things that made me feel so good was that I am in the northwest corner of the State, joining North Carolina and we are ahead of them. They are sixth.
Senator Macaulay   Thank you Mr. McCray. Do we have any questions from the other members?
Rep. Washington   Do you feel that we are doing enough now as far as health care delivery services or social services in this State.
Mr. McCray   Sir I don't know where we stand with the health program as far as where we rate. But we are number five and I said that is a good challenge to work on and to get to be number one. I would like to see more of it. We are in the process right now of getting a nursing home in Pageland, and I am real concerned about that and real happy that we are getting it. Not only in the Pageland area, but I am talking about over the whole State. I think it is a thing that has really bothered our elderly that they have to worry about these escalating costs in the medical field. It's something that you think you have a pretty good nest egg and I know from experience, that with this arthritis that my medicine runs me about $300.00 a month. So I am familiar with the cost and I know how it can really take its toll on the people. If I didn't have the financial means with a good company that made preparations for this, in years past, then that could be a real burden. I would like to see more of it. I would like to see us get to the place where the elderly would not have to worry about this. We could ease that altogether, so the waning years could be enjoyed rather them be hampered.
Rep. Washington   What are your feelings about the AFDC program that we have in this State? Do you think that the State is doing enough and giving enough to those? Are you familiar with the AFDC program?
Mr. McCray   No sir. I am not sure what that is.
Rep. Washington   Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
Mr. McCray   Yes sir, OK. I just wasn't familiar with the terminology. In some areas perhaps not. This is another problem where you have young people working or where you have unemployment and people out trying to find work. They have children they have to worry about, a job that is not paying what it should. They cannot afford to put children in the nursery and I think we are going to have to help look after these youngsters in order to see that they are taken care of.
Senator Macaulay   Are there any other questions from any other members? Mr. McCray thank you very much sir.
Mr. McCray   Thank you.
Senator Macaulay   I appreciate you all being here today. Unless we have anything else, we will excuse the candidates.
Senator Macaulay   I have a letter from Chief Stewart for all the applicants, Mr. Knight, Mr. McCray, Ms. Scott and Mr. Tolly that he has checked the driver's license and criminal records and all applicants are negative of any criminal records. Do I have a motion to recommend approval of all four applicants?
Senator Macaulay   A motion has been made and seconded that we approve the applicants for the Health and Human Services Finance Commission, for all four, Mr. Knight, Mr. McCray, Ms. Scott and Mr. Tolly.
Senator Macaulay   Is there any discussion?

A short discussion took place concerning the lack of interest in the candidacy of applicants to the Health and Human Service Finance Commission and the small number of candidates. It was suggested that the Health and Human Services Finance Commission might do some proselyting in getting the word out that the positions are there. It was further suggested that the Commission could publicly let the people of South Carolina know what the Commission does, therefore, attracting more candidates. It was mentioned that the lack of interest might well be that so many people have been victims of Hugo, that people at this time have their own problems to tend to.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

The Joint Legislative Screening Committee to Review Candidates for the State Health and Human Services Finance Commission finds Mr. George Pinckney Knight qualified for the Health and Human Service Finance Commission from the First Congressional District; Ms. Catherine L. Scott and Mr. George Fred Tolly, Jr. qualified for the Health and Human Service Finance Commission from the Third Congressional District; and Mr. James T. McCray for the Health and Human Service Finance Commission from the Fifth Congressional District.

Respectfully submitted,

Senator Alexander S. Macaulay, Chairman

Senator John E. Courson

Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.

Senator Robert L. Helmly

Representative B. L. Hendricks, Jr.

Representative Dill Blackwell

Representative Jarvis R. Klapman

Representative McKinley Washington

(On motion of Senator MACAULAY, ordered printed in the Journal.)

The following Bill was read the third time and having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title thereof be changed to that of an Act and same enrolled for Ratification:

H. 5044 -- Rep. Jaskwhich: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 916 OF 1970, RELATING TO THE BOILING SPRINGS FIRE DISTRICT IN GREENVILLE COUNTY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE EMPLOYMENT OF FIREMEN AND OTHER EMPLOYEES IN ADDITION TO SELECTING VOLUNTEER FIREMEN.

(By prior motion of Senator STILWELL)

The following Bills were severally read the third time, passed and ordered sent to the House of Representatives:

S. 1568 -- Senator Nell W. Smith: A BILL TO APPROVE THE DISSOLUTION OF THE EAST CLEMSON WATER DISTRICT, A SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICT IN PICKENS COUNTY, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER AND CONVEYANCE OF THE SYSTEM AND THE DISTRICT'S ASSETS TO THE CITIES OF CLEMSON AND CENTRAL, SOUTH CAROLINA.

(By prior motion of Senator NELL W. SMITH)

S. 1394 -- Senator Lourie: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-3710, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES BEARING AN EMBLEM, SEAL, OR OTHER SYMBOL OF A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN THIS STATE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE FEE, ALLOW A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY TO SUBMIT A SYMBOL FOR APPROVAL AND REQUEST A CHANGE IN THE SYMBOL, AND PROVIDE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF THE FEE TO ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS.

(By prior motion of Senator LOURIE, with unanimous consent)

S. 954 -- Senators Land, Lourie and Mullinax: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 42-9-400, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THE EMPLOYER OR INSURANCE CARRIER MUST BE REIMBURSED FROM THE SECOND INJURY FUND WHEN DISABILITY RESULTS FROM PREEXISTING IMPAIRMENT AND SUBSEQUENT INJURY, SO AS TO CHANGE THE WORDING RELATING TO THE IMPAIRMENT OF PSYCHONEUROTIC DISABILITY.

(By prior motion of Senator LOURIE, with unanimous consent)

The following Bill having been read the second time was passed and ordered to a third reading:

S. 1575 -- Senator Russell: A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO RESTORE THE CHARTER OF WARBIRDS, INC., IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY.

(By prior motion of Senator RUSSELL, with unanimous consent)

Senator WILLIAMS moved that when the Senate adjourns, it stand adjourned to meet next Monday, April 30, 1990, for local and uncontested matters at 11:00 A.M., which motion was adopted.

At 11:27 A.M., on motion of Senator PATTERSON, the Senate adjourned to meet next Monday, April 30, 1990, at 11:00 A.M.

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