On Wednesday, March 25 at 9am a SC Senate Medical Affairs committee will consider S. 371.

This bill was in response to the death of a mitochondrial child that died from complications initiated by a morphine overdose. Sen. Lee Bright (R-Roebuck) will introduce an amendment to specify its application to gross negligence and causing a death. The amendment will also name S. 371 “Samuel’s Law”, in memory of Samuel Cutliff. The Cutliff’s are planing on attending the hearing to testify.

The committee is chaired by Sen. Cleary (R-Georgetown) with Sens. Alexander (R-Oconee), Lourie (D-Richland), Bright (R-Spartanburg), and Nicholson (D-Greenwood)

Here’s a link to the sub-committee’s agenda

From Debbie Gerwe: Our monthly meeting will be held on Monday, March 23 @ Carson’s Steak House behind Tucker’s Restaurant. We will have dinner at 6:00pm, dutch treat, meeting starts at 6:30pm. Our guest speaker is Julie Dixon, Executive Director of Anderson Care Pregnancy Clinic. ACPC serves unwed mothers with an emphasis on alternatives to abortion. ACRW has supported this agency in the past by sponsoring a table at their annual fundraiser. Please bring a pack of diapers or wipes for use at the clinic. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

S. 371 was in response to the death of a mitochondrial child that died from complications initiated by a morphine overdose. S. 371 is in the introduction stage and must be amended to include language such as “causing the death of a patient” and even then, there must be evidence of gross negligence. If the bill gets a hearing, it will certainly be amended to apply to very extreme cases.

We need to remember that bills introduced will have an open public hearing in the appropriate legislative sub-committee, in this case the Senate Medical Affairs Committee. If it passes the sub-committee it goes before the full Committee, then the full SC Senate. If the Senate approves it, the bill would take the same route in the SC House starting at the sub-committee level. If the legislation passes the House and Senate and has differences, the bill goes to a conference committee (3 Senate members & 3 House members) to negotiate the differences between the 2 versions. A conference report must go back to each body for approval before going to the Governor’s desk for a veto or signature.

The Senate Medical Affairs Committee has not had a public hearing on S. 371, but I assure you, we’ll keep you up to date.

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW REGIONAL SALES AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN ANDERSON COUNTY
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. – After much speculation and anticipation, ‘Project Upstate’ will soon become a reality. Coca-Cola Consolidated announced plans to invest $13.5 million to construct a new Regional Sales and Distribution Center in Anderson County. This announcement culminates two years of discussions and negotiations since company officials first connected with Economic Development staff.
“All of us at Coca-Cola Consolidated are excited about building our new Regional Sales and Distribution Center in Anderson County,” said Lauren C. Steele, Sr. VP Corporate Affairs.  “This state-of-the-art, 150,000 square foot facility on the 36 acre site will enable us to more efficiently and effectively serve our retail customers and loyal consumers throughout the Upstate of South Carolina and parts of North Georgia.  It has been a pleasure to work with Anderson County officials on this project and we look forward to breaking ground in the near future.”
“Anderson County is more than excited to announce the newest addition to our family,” said County Council Vice Chairman Ken Waters. “Coca-Cola Consolidated has selected District 6 for their new Regional Sales and Distribution Center. This decision, which brings 147 jobs with above average wages and a capital investment of $13.5 million, will benefit all of Anderson County. We couldn’t be happier! After all, one of Coca-Cola’s popular slogans is “Choose Coke” and now we have bragging rights – Coke Chose Anderson County!”
Charlotte, NC-based Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated is the nation’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler, with 7,000 employees serving franchise selling territories in 12 states.
To learn more about Coke Consolidated: www.cokeconsolidated.com  www.facebook.com/cokeconsolidated,  Twitter.com/cokeccbcc  Instagram/coca.cola.bottling
For more information, contact: Angela Stringer, Communications Director, Anderson County, P O Box 8002, Anderson, South Carolina 29621

Treasurer Loftis expresses his strong opposition to s. 527 with a blistering letter to our sub-committee. He communicated his belief that this legislation will lead to higher taxes, employee contributions, and debt. He claims s. 527 is the fox guarding the henhouse. We’ve asked his office to submit the details of how this is concluded. Also, we’ve asked for the documentation from the credit rating agencies explaining how s. 527 will threaten South Carolina’s AAA credit rating. Attached is the letter our sub-committee received. More specifics to come soon. Click here to read his letter