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TO CREATE A STUDY COMMITTEE TO BE KNOWN AS THE SOUTH CAROLINA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE AND DEVELOP INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE ECONOMIC CRISIS FACED BY THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY COMMITTEE'S MEMBERSHIP, AND TO REQUIRE THE STUDY COMMITTEE TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2013, AT WHICH TIME THE STUDY COMMITTEE IS ABOLISHED.
Whereas, this State finds itself in the midst of a grave economic crisis not seen since the Great Depression, with the fundamental economic security of nearly every citizen seriously threatened; and
Whereas, dramatic increases in unemployment, vanishing retirement savings, reduced availability of credit, and increasing health care costs precipitously diminish the standard of living for hardworking families who are the backbone of this great State and nation; and
Whereas, when these working families suffer reduced economic security, they prudently restrict spending and investing, resulting in an unfortunate ripple effect of economic harm to businesses ranging from nationwide chains to "mom and pop" stores; and
Whereas, a generous and giving people by tradition, our citizens are inhibited by these hard economic times from providing their usual levels of support to worthy charitable organizations, schools, and houses of worship, thus preventing these benevolent groups from fulfilling their meritorious efforts to improve our communities in a variety of ways; and
Whereas, a rapid, comprehensive, and calculated statewide response to the economic crisis soon must occur in order to stem the tide of economic woe sweeping South Carolina and to restore a greater sense of confidence in its citizens; and
Whereas, an in-depth study of the factors leading to the current economic crisis and a detailed plan for immediately and dramatically alleviating the economic suffering in this State, particularly by creating jobs that provide people with the means to live with dignity and self-sufficiency, is needed as soon as practicable. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) There is created the Economic Development Research Committee. This committee shall review, examine, and make recommendations regarding steps that should be taken to improve the economy of this State and to restore a substantially greater sense of financial security to the citizens of this State.
(B) The twenty-three member committee is composed of:
(1) one member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;
(2) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(3) the Secretary of Commerce, or his designee;
(4) the Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, or his designee;
(5) a county economic development director from each Congressional district chosen by the economic development person or his designee from the office of the member of Congress representing each district;
(6) the Dean of the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, the Dean of the Francis Marion University School of Business, the Dean of the South Carolina State University School of Business, the Dean of the College of Charleston School of Business and Economics, the Dean of the Clemson University College of Business, and the Dean of the Winthrop University College of Business Administration;
(7) the Chairman of the Board of Economic Advisors;
(8) the Secretary of Agriculture, or his designee;
(9) the Director of the Department of Employment and Workforce;
(10) the Chairman of the State Ports Authority, or his designee;
(11) the Director of the Office of Small and Minority Business Assistance;
(12) the President of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, or his designee; and
(13) the President of the South Carolina Manufacturers' Alliance, or his designee.
(C) The Lieutenant Governor shall serve as the chairperson of the committee.
(D) A vacancy occurring on the committee must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(E) The staffing for the committee must be provided by the appropriate committees of the Senate and House of Representatives that oversee legislation affecting economic development and finance in this State.
(F) The committee shall submit its report to the General Assembly and Governor before January 1, 2013, at which time the Economic Development Research Committee is abolished.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on January 17, 2012 at 12:50 PM