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Speaker Bobby Harrell
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House Republicans Introduce Job Creation Legislation
Bill to make business competitive, created by private sector input

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina House Republicans, led by House Speaker Bobby Harrell, introduced legislation today to improve our economy and create jobs -- the House Republican Caucus’ No. 1 priority for 2010.

Speaker Harrell created an economic development group to examine the best ways to make business more competitive and suggest legislative solutions to the General Assembly.  This group’s work and recommendations were drafted into legislation (H. 4478) and introduced today in the House.

"South Carolina's economy is the biggest issue facing our state for the next two decades," Speaker Harrell said.  "Lowering unemployment and increasing per capita income are issues that directly affect the lives of South Carolina families.  This legislative session will focus intensely on our state’s economic priorities.  The Economic Development Competitiveness Act lays out steps we need to take to make our state more competitive in today’s global economy."

Comprised entirely of private sector industry leaders, the economic development group worked closely with business leaders, industry experts, the Department of Commerce and other economic development entities to address this unified goal of growing our state’s economy. 

"This was a very distinguished group of leaders who did a great job in crafting specific recommendations that we can immediately put into action," said House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham. 

Some of the major recommendations included in the bill are the elimination of the Corporate Income Tax, Restoration of the Closing Fund and various improvements to our economic incentive tools.  The economic development group also expressed their support for other legislative initiatives being sought by the House this year -- Tort Reform, ESC Reform and Dual Rail access at the Port of Charleston. 

"These are private sector solutions, not government solutions," said Bruce Bannister, the House Assistant Majority Leader. "The Caucus has always worked hard to improve the business climate in South Carolina, and this is another step in a long line of job creation legislation from the Caucus.  I look forward to taking quick action on this bill."

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