This latest report only confirms how dedicated Representative Sottile is to tackling the important issues facing our state and district. Please visit his Facebook page now to leave a comment or question.

Click here to view the full report!

Representative Sottile is a former councilmember and former mayor for the City of Isle of Palms. Sotille also served on the Municipal Association board of directors from 2004-2007. He is currently serving on the House Judiciary Committee and on the House Judiciary Special Laws subcommittee where important municipal issues such as annexation are debated.

Here is Representative Sottile’s perspective as a House member with one full term behind him.

How has your experience as a local elected official helped you as a state representative?

“I have used my local experience at the State House as we deal with issues that will affect cities and towns throughout South Carolina. My district includes Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and the fast-growing town of Mount Pleasant. Whether it’s environmental issues or economic development, the experience I gained as a local official has given me a unique perspective as a state representative.”

What is your advice to current local elected officials as the session begins?

“My advice to local elected officials is to get involved with the issues that affect cities and towns. Talk to your senators and representatives so when bills are going through the State House you can voice your opinion on just how they will affect your community. Last year was a tough budget year, and this year won’t be different so, cities and towns need to be prepared as they work through their own budgets.”

What are you most looking forward to in your role as a state representative in your second term?

“I am looking forward to getting more involved. Being a freshman, there was a lot of learning and the State House has a lot of moving parts. I will be supporting good legislation regarding jobs and economic development. The budget will be the biggest task at hand, and I look forward to working with the other members in taking on this challenge. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I look forward to working on redistricting and the other issues that will come before our committee.”

Courtesy of Uptown, a publication of the Municipal Association of South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s House Republicans ushered the “Voter ID” legislation through the House today on a party-line vote.

“Protecting the integrity of the election system of South Carolina is the goal of this bill,” said Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach. “Voting is a constitutionally protected right and cannot be abridged. Four out of every five Americans supports showing a picture identification to vote. The House Republicans are fighting to ensure fair and secure elections in this state.”

For the last two years, the House Republicans have approved Voter ID – one of the top agenda items for the S.C. Republican Party. The legislation requires voters to show a government-issued picture identification (a driver’s license, passport, or military ID) to prove their identity when they vote. It also requires creation of a new voter registration card with a photograph. The fee for a state picture ID card is waived until the state can issue free voter registration cards with a photograph on them.

Despite rhetorical hyperbole of Democrats, the Voter ID legislation approved today has nothing to do with voter suppression or abridging someone’s right to vote. Under the current system, all you need is a voter registration card with your name and address.

“It is not the intention of the Republicans to disenfranchise anybody. As Republicans and elected officials, we want every legally eligible person to vote,” said House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham. “A strong electoral system, where the integrity of each vote is beyond reproach, is what makes our democracy strong. This legislation will ensure that in our state.”

Similar Voter ID laws in Georgia and Indiana have been upheld by the Department of Justice and the United States Supreme Court. The bill approved today mirrors the legislation approved by the House Republicans in 2009.

“Do we have to wait until we have proof of widespread fraud before we close a loophole that we know exists,” asked Rep. Bruce Bannister of Greenville, the Assistant Majority Leader. “Without secure elections, our entire political process is compromised.”

The Voter ID legislation will now go to the Senate, where a similar bill is currently on the calendar.

The approval of the Voter ID legislation marks the second agenda item approved by the S.C. House Republicans in three weeks. Two other items – the Higher Education Transparency and Tort Reform bills – are set to receive committee hearings this week.

The Municipal Association of South Carolina put together a four-point priority agenda for the upcoming legislative session that begins in January. The association wants local government to have more authority to annex so-called doughnut holes that make trash pick-up and emergency services difficult to provide, and allow new tools to deal with blight properties. The association is also asking lawmakers to allow cities and towns to ask voters for authority to levy capital projects sales taxes and remove a “use it or lose it” provision on year-to-year property tax increases tied to population growth and inflation.

Rep. Mike Sottile, an Isle of Palms Republican and the city’s former mayor, said local governments do need flexibility, particularly with the state’s budget crunch. He said he believes lawmakers will give the proposals due consideration, but any proposal related to tax increases will get tough scrutiny.

“Coming from local government, I understand what they’re having to deal with,” Sottile said. “They have to be mindful of what they’re going to spend their money on. Times are tough. It’s tough on a statewide basis.”

Mount Pleasant Mayor Billy Swails said local government officials are the ones closest to the people with a direct line of accountability. If the public isn’t satisfied with their tax rate or the services they receive, then the public will vote out their local officials.

“We certainly think in local government that’s where the rubber hits the road,” Swails said. “We’re in daily contact with the voters. We see them in the grocery store or filling up their cars at the gas stations or eating in restaurants.”

Courtesy: Post and Courier

The remarks of the Isle of Palms Republican recognize that while state government is in a tight spot, so are the taxpayers of South Carolina. The TRAC recommendations deserve the Legislature’s attention as it struggles with a budget that is expected to shrink even more next year. Sharply declining revenues from the state’s sales tax during the economic downturn make a case for a broader tax base.

But it is probably too much to expect lawmakers to, say, broadly expand sales taxes on services when many taxpayers already are struggling to pay for necessities. Or to tax other necessities such as electrical power, water and food.

Even the indisputable need for an increased state gas tax, recommended by a TRAC subcommittee, faces heavy sledding while the state’s unemployment rate still exceeds 10 percent. The gas tax hasn’t been increased since 1987, and the state faces a daunting logjam of maintenance and construction projects. But for most people, gas is a necessity, too.

More likely, the Legislature will require state government to cinch its belt another notch until an economic upturn brings in additional revenue.

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, says the General Assembly’s first responsibility will be to determine who would sustain the burden of the tax shifts recommended by the commission.

“There’s not enough revenue in the public’s pocket,” Sen. McConnell says. “We should be focused on how to save money.”

Sen. McConnell has repeatedly urged adoption of a constitutional amendment that would limit spending increases by the Legislature during boom times so that the state won’t suffer when inevitable downturns occur. Gov. Mark Sanford has endorsed a similarly frugal course of action.

Over the long term, budget restraint during flush times with extra revenue in reserve for the inevitable downturns would slow the state’s fiscal roller coaster.

For those of you who are as bad at keeping up with holidays and special occasions as I am, Labor Day is Monday, September 6. The event starts at 4:00 PM, and it’s located at1155 Eaglewood Trail on James Island, which is off Ft. Johnson Road near James Island High School.

Tickets are $15.00 per person (children under 10 are free), which gets you BBQ chicken, and two sides with rolls and cookies! Free parking, music and entertainment provided, but be sure to bring some chairs!

Here are some of the candidates you’ll find at this event:

Congressional candidates Tim Scott – 1st CD - and Jim Pratt – 6th CD

Ken Ard – Lt. Governor

Alan Wilson – Attorney General

Mike Zais – Superintendent of Education

State House candidates Peter McCoy (HD 115), Sean Pike (HD 116) and Lee Edwards (HD 119)

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnellSenator Chip Campsen

Representative Chip Limehouse

Representative Mike Sottile

South Carolina lawmakers chose paying for weight-loss surgery for obese state workers at $24,000 a pop over putting teachers in the classroom, one state senator said Thursday.

Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, said special interest groups won a victory over taxpayers when the Legislature decided to put $2.4 million toward gastric bypass and Lap-Band surgery for 100 state employees, under a state health plan pilot program that begins Jan. 1.

“I think that with folks being furloughed or losing their jobs that it’s the wrong message to send,” Rep. Mike Sottile, R-Charleston, said.

But Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said obese state workers are destined for massive health problems, and finding ways cut health costs is a good idea.

“If it will save us money and save their lives,” he said, “then together it’s a good investment.”

Meanwhile, T. Karl Byrne, a surgeon at the Medical University of South Carolina, said gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band surgery, among other stomach-shrinking procedures, already are proved to be cost-effective. North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia are among the majority of Southeastern states that cover the procedure for state workers, he said. Medicaid and Medicare also cover it, he said.

“We do not need 100 patients in a pilot program in this state,” Byrne said. “We already know what the results are.”

Byrne said the initial cost of the surgery is high, but the cost savings over time are tremendous. Most of the time, obese people after significant weight loss no longer need treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and a host of other health issues, he said. So, with an up-front investment, the state can save cash over time by avoiding the cost of prescription drugs and associated treatment for obese individuals on the payroll, Byrne said.

Byrne said he is worried that the state’s pilot program will be shortsighted by looking only at one budget year to the next instead of factoring in long-term savings. Bariatric surgeons such as Byrne have access to a national database with thousands of cases documenting the success and risks of the procedures, he said. The database provides proof that the procedure is a sound investment for the state, Byrne said.

“You’re going to save a boatload of money,” he said.

The state health plan — including educators and retirees — covers about 394,000 people.

The state Budget and Control Board gave its stamp of approval on the pilot program Thursday.

The state covered bariatric surgery for state workers from 2001 to 2004, but the procedures were deemed too risky and not cost-effective. That coverage ended Jan. 1, 2005.

Access to the pilot program will be divided among the state’s regions and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The state does not track how many employees are overweight or obese, nor would those individuals be targeted for the surgery.

The state health plan will monitor the 100 patients for 18 months to see whether the pilot program is cost-effective.

South Carolina’s population is among the worst nationally when it comes to weight problems. Nearly 63 percent of adults are overweight or obese, while the national rate is 60.8 percent, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. South Carolina’s children are also heavier than many kids elsewhere. Nearly 34 percent of children in the state are overweight or obese, compared with 31.6 percent nationally.

The House and the Senate had little, if any, floor debate on the pilot program, according to legislators. The program also did not receive an up or down vote because it is tucked into the $5 billion budget.

By Yvonne Wenger, “The State”, August 13

As in 2008, Mike Sottile of the Isle of Palms, now the incumbent, will face Joe Bustos of Mount Pleasant in the GOP primary June 8. No Democrats filed for that party’s primary.

Sottile, who just finished his first term in the Statehouse, said he’s learned the ropes and expects to hit the ground running if re-elected. Job creation, economic development and education are Sottile’s priorities and those of constituents he’s met on his campaign, he said.

Bustos, owner of a travel company and a former Mount Pleasant town councilman, lost to Sottile in 2008 while garnering 44 percent of the vote. He said the political climate is different this time around. People are paying more attention to their government than ever before, he said, but they feel disconnected from it because state and federal lawmakers did what they wanted instead of what they promised.

“I think we have a lot of work to do to regain that trust and to get this state and country back on an even keel,” Bustos said.

Bustos said he wants to shrink government by privatizing services, such as the state police academy, and supports changing state law so business license fees are based on net profits rather than gross receipts. He also favors the consumption-based “fair tax.”

The Legislature appointed a commission to look at the state’s tax structure, and Sottile said he wants to see its recommendations before drawing any conclusions.

“Everything is on the table,” Sottile said, adding that focusing only on business license fees seemed like a piecemeal plan.

Sottile said his appointment to the Judiciary Committee, and his role in helping persuade Boeing to set up shop in South Carolina, are among his accomplishments during his first term. Sottile said he’s been working hard for residents of his district but has learned that he can’t change things as fast as he’d like.

“You have to build coalitions. You can’t do anything by yourself. You have to be able to reach across the aisle at times to get things done,” Sottile said, adding that he’s done that.

Bustos said he’s a conservative, and emphasizes personal responsibility and making government smaller.

“Those are the key things on my mind,” Bustos said.

Joe Bustos

Age: 59

Family: Wife Kathy; children Kelly Ellsworth and Brian Bustos

Residence: 649 King St.

Occupation: Retired Army lieutenant colonel; certified flight instructor; Bustos Travel Service owner.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Columbia College; master’s degree, Central Michigan University; master of science in administration, Army Command and General Staff College.

Public offices: Elected to Town Council in 2000, chairs Bids and Purchases Committee and sits on Annexation, Economic Development and Personnel committees; board member, Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority.

Website: votebustos.com

Contact: 822-6363, jmbustos@comcast.net, votebustos.com

Mike Sottile

Age: 61

Family: Wife Loraine; daughter Amy

Residence: 132 Sparrow Drive, Isle of Palms

Occupation: Independent insurance agent for 35 years, employed by C.T. Lowndes & Co.; retired Air Force veteran.

Education: Bishop England High School, attended Baptist College at Charleston.

Public offices: House District 112 representative, elected in 2008; former Isle of Palms mayor and City Council member.

Website: mikesottile.com

The Post and Courier

“Representative Sottile takes a sensible approach to protecting South Carolina’s outdoor traditions,” says Conservation Voters SC Executive Director, Ann Timberlake, “Mike Sottile will vote for clean air and drinkable water and he knows that South Carolina can’t afford to weaken its solid muicipal waste regulations and invite more out-of-state garbage to our state.”

Sottile has supported South Carolina’s Landmark Conservation Bank that works with local land trusts to voluntarily protect natural and historic places, such as the Morris Island Lighthouse. He supports legislation currently before the House to finally manage how much water can be drawn out of South Carolina’s lakes and rivers, as well as measures to promote renewable energy and efficiency.

Candidate’s earn Conservation Voters’ support through an endorsement process that includes and examination of the candidates records, questionnaire responses, and interviews. “Mike believes that clean, abundant water is critical for growth, for recreation, and for public health. He is passtionate about protecting South Carolina’s Coast because he understands how many Charleston area jobs are dependent upon our coastal marshes, beaches and islands,” added Timberlake.

SInce 2002, Conservation Voters has been making traditional conservation values a priority for elected leaders. The independent bipartisan organization holds elected leaders accountable and publishes a biennial Conservation Scorecard.

So crossover week is a very busy week in Columbia as legislators work long hours to debate as much legislation as possible before the deadline.

While we debated dozens of pieces of legislation, three pieces in particular stand out to conservatives.

First, we approved a sweeping charter school reform package that aims to make our state’s vibrant charter school movement even stronger.

Charter school reform was another of our top priorities this year, and I belief that the best, most conservative way to improve education is to give parents more choices for their child’s education. It’s my hope that more choices will drive more parental involvement in education, which I believe is the foundation of true succes in education.

We overrode the governor’s veto of the “Warrantless Search” for parolees legislation that the House and the Senate have both approved. This legislation – which was supported by Charleston County law enforcement – allows law enforcement to search people on probation and parole without needing a search warrant. People on probation or parole are in the state’s criminal justice system, and if they were still in jail, they could be searched at any time, without warning. Many say that it is a violation of civil liberties, but I want to make my opinion very clear – people who commit crimes lose many of their rights. Being on probation or parole does not mean a criminal has been set free or that their punishment is over. They have been released out of jail, but they are still being punished.

While I understand the concerns about warrantless searches, my first priority is the protection of my law-abiding constituents. Law enforcement wanted a way to search criminals for contraband to protect the public. I believe this legislation will help police do their jobs and protect the public.

Finally, the House approved legislation that will take away the drivers’ licenses for students under 18 who drop out of school. This is the law in many states, and provides a deterrent for underage students from dropping out of school. We allowed exemptions for students forced to drop out of school to support their families by working. This legislation will now head to the Senate.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as Our Voice in Columbia. If I can ever be of assistance to your family, please call my cell phone at 843.224.9260.

Sincerely,

Mike Sottile