City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the bills to create the Executive Office of Health and Policy, the permitless carry bill going to conference committee and the bill to allow referendums for Sunday liquor retails sales. They also cover the medical cannabis bill, liquor liability bills and the bill to allow affordable housing development projects in military tax increment financing districts.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the medical cannabis bill going on special order, and also talk about the bill to allow the permitless carrying of a gun and the bill to allow referendums for Sunday liquor sales. They review Hometown Legislative Action Day, including the session on using accommodations tax funds for workforce housing.

Laura Dawson Ullrich, senior regional economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Charlotte Branch, discusses the current state of the economy and its outlook for the future.

Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib offers the report of the Municipal Association’s legislative committee, and the Association’s advocacy team talks through numerous key issues currently debated at the State House. Hear from Scott Slatton, director of advocacy and communications, as well as legislative and public policy advocates Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright.

Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy, president of the Municipal Association of SC, talks about inclusion at the local level and the need to consider all kinds of residents when making decisions, as well as the importance of a statewide hate crimes bill.

Todd Glover, executive director of the Municipal Association of SC, highlights the importance of municipalities to the South Carolina economy, the need to regulate short-term rentals at the local level, the value of annexation, and the need for civility in local government.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton cover the debate over H3594, the permitless carry bill, as well as its amendments. They discuss testimony on the liquor liability issue, which explored possible rate regulation and insurance claims costs; and give an update on the Local Business License Renewal Center, which began accepting 2024 renewals on February 1.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss H4231, the bill that would allow municipal referendums for Sunday retail liquor sales; H4589, the bill that would drop the requirements for incumbents to hold over in office after contested elections. H3734, the bill that would limit municipal elections to odd-numbered years only, received an amendment that would eliminate all municipal election commissions for cities and towns with populations below 100,000.

The Municipal Association’s Hometown Legislative Action Day is coming up on February 6. Association Executive Director Todd Glover talks about the importance of city leaders connecting with their delegation at the State House, and Association General Counsel Eric Shytle describes the session on Act 57 and workforce housing. The Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government will take place the next day on February 7. Staff Associate for Training and Learning Solutions Urica Floyd describes the course offerings. More information: https://www.masc.sc/2024-hometown-legislative-action-day

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about testimony from different groups on liquor liability insurance costs, as well as the importance of communication between municipalities and county governments on land development issues.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk with the Association’s two legislative and public policy advocates, Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright, about the beginning of the second part of the 2023 – 24 legislative session. They discuss zero millage, funding through the Local Government Fund, short-term rental regulation, possible revisions to the Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act, and legislative rule changes.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about the Municipal Association’s 2024 Advocacy Initiatives, including the new initiative of supporting more state funding and other resources for mental health services. They also talk about legislative issues that may arise in 2024, such as potentially extending the Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act, possible impact fee changes, liquor liability reform and others.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton introduce Mary Catherine Lawton, the Municipal Association’s new research and legislative analyst. They discuss the role of research in the Association’s advocacy efforts and the resources it provides to cities and towns.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss some of the factors that will affect the 2024 session of the General Assembly. Redistricting and the 2024 elections will have an impact, as well as debate on issues ranging from judicial reform to guns and abortion.

Gary and Apryl Bailey won Main Street South Carolina’s 2023 Excellence on Main Street Award for their revitalization of the Bailey Building in downtown Laurens. The Baileys, who operate their accounting firm out of the building as one of its uses, explain the rehabilitation work they sought for the historic bank building while preserving its character. They also discuss how they used tax credits to make the process economically practical. Main Street South Carolina Manager Jenny Boulware hosts this podcast out of the Bailey Building itself. See the award video at vimeo.com/848100311.

The City of Cayce won a 2023 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its River Arts District development, a project that leveraged public art and special events into economic development opportunities and a stronger sense of community in Cayce’s historic downtown. City Manager Tracy Hegler discusses the logistics behind bringing the Arts District to life. See the award video at vimeo.com/848100187.

The Town of Bluffton won a 2023 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its Neighborhood Assistance Program, a multifaceted initiative to help keep residents in their homes. Bluffton’s Director of Growth Management Kevin Icard and Workforce and Affordable Housing Manager Victoria Smalls talk about the program. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/848100122.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about Municipal Association outreach to cities and towns through the recent Regional Advocacy Meetings. They also discuss H3734, the municipal election bill, which would require all municipalities to have elections on certain dates during odd-numbered years.

In 2023, Downtown Florence won the prestigious Great American Main Street Award, the “Academy Award” of community development, recognizing exceptional and comprehensive downtown revitalization efforts. Main Street Program Director Hannah Davis discusses how Florence achieved the award through careful planning, data-gathering and storytelling, and what’s next for development in downtown Florence. See Florence’s GAMSA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsT_5jVGXk0 Read the Uptown article on Florence’s win: https://www.masc.sc/uptown/07-2023/building-next-block-downtown-florence-looks-forward-national-award

The City of Goose Creek won a 2023 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for the communications plan it used for the new all-abilities playground at Central Creek Park. Goose Creek Marketing, Branding and Design Assistant Adam Kelly; Recreation Director Crystal Reed; and Therapeutic Recreation Manager and Central Creek Park Manager Hannah Miller all join the discussion. See the award video at vimeo.com/848100059.