Kevin Johnson was a little disappointed.
"I was looking for more substance," said the Manning Democrat and senator this morning in summing up his thoughts about Gov. Nikki Haley's state of the state speech last night.
Johnson said he agrees that fixing our roads and bridges is a top priority. Tying conditions to increasing the gas tax is wrong, he thinks. He worries how we'd make up the revenue shortfall if income tax is decreased, but he would like to see the Department of Transportation reformed.
"Where the (DOT) commissioners live is where the (roads) money is being spent," he said. "But our roads, bridges and highways are in such bad shape it shouldn't be tied to anything else."
He also sees our infrastructure through the lens of economic development.
"These CEOs say they're not expanding when the roads are so bad and we've been doing pretty good, economic development-wise," he said.
Johnson has logged 10 hours in committee meetings this week discussing ethics reform, he said.
"A lot talk the good talk," but won't help getting a bill passed, he said. "Something has got to be done."
Johnson would like to see a raise in the minimum wage.
"This is 2015 and people just cannot live on $7.25 an hour," he said. "We want people to work and get off government assistance. But they need a livable wage," he said, while also questioning Haley using her address to bash unions.
Legislation won't get passed unless partisan politics are put aside, he thinks. He's optimistic about the leadership of Florence Republican and Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman and Speaker of the House Jay Lucas, a Republican from Darlington.
"I think those two gentlemen are going to lead," he said.
As both men hail from the Pee Dee, Johnson thinks the Upstate and Charleston will no longer get the lion's share of attention and money from our Legislature.
"I think our area will benefit also," he said.
