Thank you to our members!
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This year our state faced a major budget shortfall. Having helped secure a record $30 million in funding state-wide last year, it was a tough reality to face that the money just was not going to be there in 2008. But with credit going to each of you, we proved that our industry is the #1 business in South Carolina and ready to help our citizens recover by returning unprecedented amounts of tax dollars back to state coffers.
Once again, industry representatives from Charleston turned out in record numbers to ride the bus for the annual Lunch on the Lawn. This event has become a legislative favorite but held particular significance as we each set out to "make the case" for tourism. It was a memorable moment to watch the phone calls you all were making on the ride up saying words of thanks and giving personal invitations to the lunch. It goes without saying that you truly did make a difference that day.
As many of you have begun collecting the $1 per room night fee, we had a true advantage in showing the legislature just what the private sector was willing to do. In the end, the $10 million for the Destination Specific Grants remained in the budget and the program will move forward.
I can't thank each of you enough for your time this year. I know the legislative process can be confusing and time consuming, but we proved that when we all work together as an industry - our elected leaders will listen!
Sincerely,
Catherine Dority
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It takes a staff...
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| to pass a bill
We would also like to give thanks and recognition to the staff at the Statehouse who provided our industry with a great deal of support during this session.
Office of Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell
Jeannie Potter, Executive Assistant
Greg Foster, Communications Dir.
Brad Wright, Chief Counsel
Office of Majority Leader Jim Merrill
Charles Cannon, Chief of Staff
Office of Senate Judiciary Chairman Glenn McConnell
John Hazard, Chief of Staff
Office of Sens. McGill and Rankin
Marie Waller, Executive Assistant
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No shortage of thanks goes to...
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| Please send thanks by way of a note or email to...
Representative Bobby Harrell
8316 Rivers Ave, Charleston, SC 29406
HSP@schouse.org
Representative Chip Limehouse
9 Cumberland St., Charleston, SC 29401
HBL@schouse.org
Representative David Mack
4340 Evanston Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418
DJM@schouse.org
Representative Jim Merrill
2401 Daniel Island Drive, Charleston, SC 29492
JM1@schouse.org
Representative Wallace Scarborough
P.O. Box 20010, Charleston, SC 29413
WBS@schouse.org
Representative Leon Stavrinakis
375 Meadow Breeze Lane, Charleston, SC 29414
StavL@schouse.org
Senator Paul Campbell
150 Loganberry Circle, Goose Creek, SC 29445
PaulCampbell@scsenate.org
Senator Chip Campsen
360 Concord St., Suite 201, Charleston, SC 29401
CAMPSEN@scsenate.org
Senator Larry Grooms
203 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, SC 29201
STR@scsenate.org
Senator Glenn McConnell
27 Bainbridge Dr., Charleston, SC 29407
SJU@scsenate.org
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Getting by with a little help
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from our friends
This year the tourism industry was supported by legislators that were not just from Charleston. We'd like to give thanks to the following...
Rep. Dan Cooper, Anderson
Rep. Tracy Edge, Myrtle Beach
Rep. Bill Herbkersam, Bluffton
Rep. Murrell Smith, Sumter
Rep. Gary Simrill, Rock Hill
Rep. Michael Thompson, Anderson
Rep. Brian White, Anderson
Sen. Thomas Alexander, Oconee County
Sen. Yancey McGill, Williamsburg County
Sen. Luke Rankin, Horry County
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