City Briefs: Insurance reform, Ben Sawyer Bridge, and more

Insurance reform

Local legislators are mapping out leadership roles on insurance reform.

Rep. Tim Scott (R-North Charleston), who is running for lieutenant governor, introduced two bills that would keep South Carolina out of any public healthcare plan that is eventually approved by Congress.

The first would put a question to voters next year that, if approved, would amend the state Constitution to make it illegal to mandate health insurance for state residents. Mandatory coverage, similar to car insurance, is seen by reform supporters as one of the best ways to cut healthcare costs.

The other bill would have South Carolina “opt out” of a public healthcare plan. The “opt out” has been floated as a possible concession to get a public option included in federal healthcare reform.

There has been a push over the past several years to take statewide elected offices and turn them into governor appointments. Local Statehouse Rep. Leon Stavrinakis (D-West Ashley) is taking a different approach, introducing a new bill that would make the Director of Insurance, currently an appointed position, into an elected office.

“The only certain way of ending business as usual for insurance corporations is to make the Secretary of Insurance directly accountable to the voters of South Carolina,” Stavrinakis says.

The Department of Insurance oversees insurance companies, but Stavrinakis’ chief concern is the state’s inability to protect property owners from rising costs and denied claims. He notes that North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida have elected insurance heads. —Greg Hambrick

Ben Sawyer Bridge expected to close on Sunday

Crews will shut the Ben Sawyer Bridge to Sullivans Island on Sun. Dec. 6 for 10 days. They’ll be working 24 hours a day to get the new swing bridge in place.

Residents and visitors to Sullivan’s Island are instructed to take the Isle of Palms Connector until work is complete. For updates and more information, visit bensawyerbridge.org. —Greg Hambrick

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That’s North Charleston’s latest ranking among the most dangerous cities. It’s a solid improvement over last year’s 10th place showing and 2007’s seventh place finish. The criminal element has apparently moved to Walterboro.

“We are at the beginning of a new Industrial Revolution when it comes to clean energy, and projects like these will help us get there faster.”

Energy Secretary Steven Chu on a $45 million federal grant to Clemson University. The school will be developing the world’s largest offshore wind turbines and could result in 10,000 to 20,000 jobs. Source: The Post and Courier