The Sun News: MB Chamber skips smoking issue

Posted on November 16, 2007 
Filed Under News

The one issue left off the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s legislative agenda is one of the area’s hottest topics and the most divisive among the membership: smoking bans.

A committee on Thursday hammered out a list of topics they want the area’s state delegation to focus on in the upcoming legislative session, but it did not take a position on whether members supported a statewide smoking ban.

Several municipalities across South Carolina, including Surfside Beach, have recently outlawed smoking in public buildings, restaurants and bars. Businesses in these areas complain that it is unfair because they are competing with businesses that might be across the road – or even next door – where customers are allowed to light up.

“The fact that you can’t smoke on the beach in Surfside but you can in Garden City makes no sense,” said Gary Loftus, director of Coastal Carolina University’s Center for Economic and Community Development.

“Whatever it is, make it statewide.”

Just over half of the respon-

dents to the chamber survey said they supported a statewide smoking ban in all restaurants and nightclubs, while 40 percent said they were opposed to such a ban. About 7.5 percent were undecided.

State legislative representatives warned that a statewide smoking ban could be imminent – much closer than any legislation preventing bans.

“Last year the smoking ban failed in the House by about five votes,” said S.C. Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach. “It’s close.”

Although some businesses may support a statewide smoking ban – versus piecemeal bans in scattered towns – it goes against the general philosophy of the chamber, which is that the government should leave businesses alone and let owners make their own decisions, said Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach chamber.

Viers, who was at the meeting on Thursday morning, said he would vote against a statewide ban no matter what the chamber wants because of his personal beliefs.

The chamber’s wish list, though, is helpful to him, he said.

“For me, it’s a sounding board of policies,” he said.

“I’m a representative; I’m supposed to represent the people’s interests. It doesn’t mean I’ll always agree philosophically with them, but it’s important to know what the business community [wants.]”

The agenda still must be ratified by the chamber’s board of directors.

The board will meets Nov. 20.

Inside
Overview of the 2008 Legislative Agenda for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
2008 Legislative Agenda for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce in no particular order:
Come up with a plan to fund Interstate 73, Interstate 74 and a southern evacuation route in preparation for lobbying for federal funds

Funding for expanding the Myrtle Beach International Airport, development of a strategic plan to increase air service, completion of Harrelson Boulevard and gaining “Port of Entry” status for the airport

Make the Competitive Grants Program for tourism permanent and fund it with $10 million annually

Secure $85,000 for advertising in Canada

Continue funding for beach renourishment and stormwater projects

Push the PACT performance test later in the year to preserve the later school start date and make diagnostic testing known as MAP testing a statewide practice

Meet or exceed needs-based funding for Horry Georgetown Technical College and Coastal Carolina University

Allow trade associations and chambers of commerce to offer fully funded and partially funded health care benefits to small businesses

Expand use, awareness and flexibility of Health Savings Accounts for employer-sponsored plans

Study offshore drilling

Revisit recent property tax changes

Expand seasonal worker provisions

Seek immigration reform, including preventing local governments from passing immigration ordinances; remove unfair burdens on employers to prove compliance; provide protection for companies that follow the law; hold employers who do not comply with the law accountable.

Contact LISA FLEISHER at 626-0317 or lfleisher@thesunnews.com.

MB Chamber skips smoking issue
2008 legislative agenda proposed
By Lisa Fleisher – The Sun News