Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

House freshmen glimpse the future

The nearly two dozen freshmen had gathered in the state House of Representatives, surrounded by the gilded portraits of past Speakers of the House and soaking in the atmosphere.

“Just look around this chamber,” current House Speaker Bobby Harrell said. “You get a feel for what you’re following. It’s remarkable what’s happened in this place ... and now it’s your turn.”

For the 23 new members, this week’s two-day orientation session for new members was a first taste of being a state representative.

“For lack of a better word, pretty cool,” said Rep.-elect Tim Scott, R-Charleston, of sitting behind a lawmaker’s desk for the first time. “I was not anticipating being blown away.”

Scott will soon be the first African-American Republican to serve in the General Assembly in about 100 years. Wednesday, he was elected chairman of the freshman class. Scott, recognizing the responsibility he now holds, said the freshmen had an ambitious agenda.

The issues they face are large: possible state budget deficits; restructuring education funding; overhauling the state tax code and others. Scott said he also was concerned about economic development after his time serving on Charleston County council.

Harrell, R-Charleston, believed this class was capable of answering those questions.

“This freshman class, particularly, will be very involved,” Harrell said, noting he was impressed with their intelligence and political skills.

Some of that comes from the fact that many in this class have experience in state politics, from working as advocates to serving in county and local government.

Rep.-elect Anton Gunn, D-Richland, is one of two Democrats who won Republican-held seats. Gunn has been a social activist and helped run President-elect Barack Obama’s successful S.C. primary campaign.

Gunn said the state budget problems will likely take up much of the debate, but he hoped lawmakers still focus on solving problems in the future.

“It’s hard for people to look beyond the right now,” Gunn said, singling out the state’s tax structure. “That’s a big conversation about how we fix the tax code.”

Another “freshman,” Rep.-elect Rita Allison, R-Spartanburg, has previously served in the House. She also worked as a legislative liaison for Gov. Mark Sanford.

“It feels a little different in some ways,” Allison, 68, said, joking she was — only slightly — older than most other freshmen. “Most of them understand it is a difficult budget time and how we get through it.”

Allison also said the budget crunch might allow lawmakers to make money-saving changes that are more difficult when coffers are full. Scott pointed toward creating a Department of Administration and streamlining the state’s nine health-care agencies.

The freshmen will be sworn in when the House meets to organize on Dec. 2-3, but one member might have to wait a little longer.

Rep.-elect Anne Peterson Hutto’s win has been challenged in court, and she must await a ruling before taking office.

Hutto said it did not diminish her excitement this week, and that she wanted to improve school quality and funding.

“It’s so exciting ... every day it hits me just a little more,” Hutto said.

Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8358.