Employment Security Commission Though the General Assembly wrapped up its work for the 2009–2010 legislative session in June, legislators have been at work trying to get answers and find information about projects in the state and have been going to the Legislative Audit Council to get those answers. A report from the LAC exposed deep problems with the former Employment Security Commission, leading to a pickup in a full overhaul of how the state handles the unemployed and job placement. In the past week, the LAC has been called on to look into another couple matters.

National Heritage Corridor

One is the S.C. National Heritage Corridor. A National Heritage Area, the corridor – meandering from Oconee to Charleston – promotes sites that show unique national, historic, and cultural aspects of the state. State Rep. Bakari Sellers (D–Denmark), is heading up a group of lawmakers who are asking the LAC to look into whether Region III of the corridor, named the “Rivers, Rails and Crossroads Region,” is getting the same amount of funding as the other three regions. Region III stretches from Aiken County east through the southern Midlands. Concerns were expressed by the legislators involved that the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is doing enough to manage federal funds earmarked for the corridor and providing adequate oversight.

James E. Clyburn University

Transportation Center

In another matter, State Sen. Robert Ford (D–Charleston) wants the LAC to check into what has been going on at the James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center at South Carolina State. In operation since 1998, the transportation center came under increased scrutiny this year when Gov. Mark Sanford vetoed state funding for it. Then, a report was released showing that nothing is going on at the facility, even though more than $50 million has been appropriated to it over the past 12 years. The center also lost its federally– designated status.

James E. Clyburn University

Transportation Center

Sanford isn’t taking it easy right now, either. This week, the governor took a trade mission to Europe with Boeing president and CEO Jim McNerney and executive vice president Jim Albaugh. The plans included stops in France, Germany, Switzerland, and a trip to the Farnborough Airshow in England.

Wes Wolfe is the proprietor of WolfeReports.com

and has written for 11 publications in five states.