►The Bimonthly Newsletter of the Dorchester County Democratic Party◄ October/November 2013 Volume 5, Issue 5
Miller and Davis receive Distinguished Service Awards
Kimpson Saves the Senate Seat
Dorchester Democrats honored two from the local community at its annual dinner on the evening of Sat., Sept. 28. Rev. Dr. John Miller and County Councilman Willie Davis each received an Alice J. Cicenia Distinguished Service Award at the county party’s event, held at the Holiday Inn Express in Summerville.
Above (L-R): Dr. David Rison and Rev. Dr. John Miller Below (L-R): Dr. Kenneth Jenkins, Willie Davis and Joyce Davis (photos by John Kauth)
Miller is a retired Presbyterian minister residing in Summerville; Davis, from St. George, represents Dist. 1 on County Council. Both have been active with the DCDP for many years. “We recognize individuals in our county party who have worked tirelessly in the pursuit of Democratic values in the spirit of Alice Cicenia,” says DCDP Chair Richard Hayes.
Well, we were waiting for the results from yesterday’s special election.
“Both of this year’s honorees have long shared and committed to those values here in Dorchester County.” The honor’s namesake was a respected community activist who worked with the Democratic Party on county, state and national levels.
Kimpson/Democrat—80 % Shuman/GOP—19 % Thornton/Libertarian—1 %
INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE
Wondering why you’re getting this October edition on the morning of October 2?
Democrat Marlon Kimpson was elected in this race to fill state Senate Dist. 42, which includes the Patriot precinct in our Dorchester County.
A “Trailblazer Award” also bestowed that evening went to former county party chairman Steven J. Yeomans (2008-2010).
Kimpson speaking at the recent Cicenia Dinner (photo by John Kauth)
Cicenia Dinner a Big Success— page 2 Vote No on Nov. 5—page 3 How ACA is Helping SC—page 5 Dorchester Democrats March on Washington—page 7 ILA Offers Thanks—page 7
November Highway Cleanup— page 8 Blue Jamboree—page 8 Biden at the Port of Charleston—page 9 Cicenia Dinner Pics—pages 10-11 Calendar of Events—page 12
An attorney and former chair of the state election commission, Kimpson promises to fight for healthcare, public education and jobs. He takes the seat from former senator Robert Ford, who resigned earlier this year. Republicans still make up the majority in the state senate, though, holding 27 of the 46 seats.
Cicenia Dinner a Major Success! 2014 off to a great start By Richard Hayes, Party Chair
An All-Star cast of our representatives were in attendance, including: Senators On September 28th Dorchester County John Matthews and Vincent Sheheen, held its Annual Dinner, now known as the State Representatives Patsy Knight, David Alice and Bert Cicenia Dinner. The KeyMack, and Seth Whipper; County Councilnote Speaker was State Sen. Vincent She- man Willie Davis, Summerville City Counheen, who is running for governor of cilman Aaron Brown, Harleyville City South Carolina in the critical election of Councilman Kenneth Weatherspoon, November 2014. School Board representatives Fran Townsend (DD2) and Dr. Kenneth Jenkins (DD4), Our First Vice Chair and head of the Dinand the Executive Director of the state ner Committee, Ethel Campbell, gave us Democratic Party, Amanda Loveday. Also an evening to remember. It was a great in attendance was Marlon Kimpson, who kickoff for the campaign of 2014, when we by the time you read this article should get to vote and elect Democrats to key have won the Senate Seat in District 42! state offices including the Governorship, U.S. Congressional seats, State Represen- Former party chair Steve Yeomans was tatives, and Dorchester County Council awarded the “Trailblazer Award” for his members. leadership during his tenure as Party
Chair. Councilman Willie Davis and Reverend Dr. John Miller were awarded the prestigious Alice J. Cicenia Distinguished Service Award; together they have supported our County Party for over 50 years! The highlight of the evening was Sen. Sheheen’s rousing keynote speech, urging us to support him for governor in 2014, as Nikki Haley has continued to fail on all key state issues, including public education, infrastructure, jobs and ethics reforms. The need has never been greater to elect a Democrat as our next governor. Dorchester County Democrats have pledged to strongly support and work for Victory in 2014!
Sen. Sheheen gave a robust address, and Southern Ladies Catering served up a robust dinner.
See more pictures from our annual dinner, provided by photographer John Kauth, on pages 10 and 11.
Vote NO on November 5! A proposed resolution wants to tax the poor and give tax credits to the rich. By Richard Hayes, Party Chair Dorchester County Council has ordered that a referendum be held on November 5 on a proposal for lowering taxes on particular properties and raising sales tax by one percent on most retail mercial real estate, rental homes, boats and other six- or 10purchases in our county. percent assessed properties; In other words, those rich enough to own those properties would benefit the most. The Dorchester County Democratic Party is AGAINST this regressive proposal, and we encourage everyone to vote NO! Those who do not own property, however, would pay the sales tax but get no property tax relief; and those who do not own Here’s what’s wrong with this proproperty having high values or asHow the proposal will read on November 5’s ballots sessed at six- or 10-percent – meanposal for a Local-Option Sales Tax (LOST): ing most Dorchester County resi“Must a one percent sales and use tax be lev- dents – would have a net loss by payied in the County for the purpose of allowing ing a new one-percent sales tax. REVERSE ROBIN HOOD EFFECT It would raise NET ADDITIONAL TAXES a credit against a taxpayer’s county and muof $2,548,150 annually. By adding a nicipal ad valorem tax liability and for the Proponents of the new the sales one-percent tax to purchases of food purpose of funding county and municipal tax claim that lower property and other necessities, LOST would operations in the County area?” taxes would result in more investtransfer part of the real estate tax ment and jobs. However, those burden from Dorchester County residents who own property to alleged benefits would be more than offset by the net tax those who do not own property, including the poor, who can increase imposed by the new one-percent sales tax. It will least afford additional taxes. LOST is a regressive tax that disonly result in lower discretionary income, which would proportionately hurts the poor and middle class while benefitcause less spending, which would result in fewer jobs and ting those rich enough to own a lot of property.
less business in Dorchester County.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HURT BY LOST Dorchester County has a competitive advantage by having a lower sales tax (7%) than that of Berkeley (8%) and Charleston (8.5%) Counties. Raising Dorchester County’s sales tax would cause less spendable income, which would result in less spending and less economic growth.
This is a REGRESSIVE TAX that benefits the rich at the expense of the middle class and poor! The Dorchester County Democratic Party is against this regressive tax initiative, and we encourage everyone to vote NO to the proposal on November 5.
The beneficiaries of this referendum would be owners of com-
VOTE
NO NOV.5
A Moral Message to the Republicans Who Proposed this Regressive Tax
“Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me, so I removed them when I saw it.” Ezekiel 16:49-50
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How the Health Care Law is Making a Difference for the People of South Carolina This article comes directly from the website of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
Because of the Affordable Care Act, the 82% of South Carolinians who have insurance have more choices and stronger coverage than ever before. And for the 18% of South Carolinians who don’t have insurance, or South Carolina families and small businesses who buy their coverage but aren’t happy with it, a new day is just around the corner. Soon, the new online Health Insurance Marketplace will provide families and small businesses who currently don’t have insurance, or are looking for a better deal, a new way to find health coverage that fits their needs and their budgets. Open enrollment in the Marketplace starts Oct 1, with coverage starting as soon as Jan 1, 2014. But South Carolina families and small business can visit HealthCare.gov right now to find the information they need prepare for open enrollment. The health care law is already providing better options, better value, better health and a stronger Medicare program to the people of South Carolina by:
684,991 (94%) of South Carolina’s uninsured and eligible population may qualify for either tax credits to purchase coverage in the Marketplace or for Medicaid if South Carolina takes advantage of the new opportunity to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. South Carolina has received $1,000,000 in grants for research, planning, information technology development, and implementation of its Health Insurance Marketplace. New coverage options for young adults Under the health care law, if your plan covers children, you can now add or keep your children on your health insurance policy until they turn 26 years old. Thanks to this provision, over 3 million young people who would otherwise have been uninsured have gained coverage nationwide, including 50,000 young adults in South Carolina.
Ending discrimination for pre-existing conditions As many as 1,991,315 non-elderly South Carolinians have some type of pre-existing health condition, including 256,208 children. Today, Better Options insurers can no longer deny coverage to children because of a pre-existing condition, like The Health Insurance Marketplace asthma or diabetes, under the health care law. Beginning Oct 1, the Health Insurance Market- And beginning in 2014, health insurers will no place will make it easy for South Carolinians to longer be able to charge more or deny covercompare qualified health plans, get answers to age to anyone because of a pre-existing condiquestions, find out if they are eligible for lower tion. The health care law also established a costs for private insurance or health programs temporary health insurance program for indilike Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurviduals who were denied health insurance ance Program (CHIP), and enroll in health cov- coverage because of a pre-existing condierage. tion. 2,071 South Carolinians with pre-existing conditions have gained coverage through the By the Numbers: Uninsured South Carolinians Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan since the who are eligible for coverage through the Mar- program began. ketplace. Better Value 726,847 (18%) are uninsured and eligible 503,392 (69%) have a full-time worker in Providing better value for your premium dollar through the 80/20 Rule the family Health insurance companies now have to 270,941 (37%) are 19-34 years old spend at least 80 cents of your premium dollar 393,263 (54%) are White on health care or improvements to care, or 262,618 (36%) are African American provide you a refund. This means that 119,448 43,248 (6%) are Latino/Hispanic South Carolina residents with private insurance 9,841 (1%) are Asian American or Pacific coverage will benefit from $6,169,507 in reIslander funds from insurance companies this year, for an average refund of $70 per family covered by 391,566 (54%) are male a policy.
Scrutinizing unreasonable premium increases In every State and for the first time under Federal law, insurance companies are required to publicly justify their actions if they want to raise rates by 10 percent or more. South Carolina has received $1,000,000 under the new law to help fight unreasonable premium increases. Removing lifetime limits on health benefits The law bans insurance companies from imposing lifetime dollar limits on health benefits – freeing cancer patients and individuals suffering from other chronic diseases from having to worry about going without treatment because of their lifetime limits. Already, 1,458,000 people in South Carolina, including 566,000 women and 397,000 children, are free from worrying about lifetime limits on coverage. The law also restricts the use of annual limits and bans them completely in 2014. Better Health Covering preventive services with no deductible or co-pay The health care law requires many insurance plans to provide coverage without cost sharing to enrollees for a variety of preventive health services, such as colonoscopy screening for colon cancer, Pap smears and mammograms for women, well-child visits, and flu shots for all children and adults. In 2011 and 2012, 71 million Americans with private health insurance gained preventive service coverage with no cost-sharing, including 980,000 in South Carolina. And for policies renewing on or after August 1, 2012, women can now get coverage without cost-sharing of even more preventive services they need. Approximately 47 million women, including 649,693 in South Carolina will now have guaranteed access to additional preventive services without cost-sharing. (Continue reading on page 6)
How the Health Care Law is Making a Difference for the People of South Carolina (continued from page 5) Increasing support for community health centers The health care law increases the funding available to community health centers nationwide. In South Carolina, 21 health centers operate 176 sites, providing preventive and primary health care services to 326,829 people. Health Center grantees in South Carolina have received $64,346,762 under the health care law to support ongoing health center operations and to establish new health center sites, expand services, and/or support major capital improvement projects. Community Health Centers in all 50 states have also received a total of $150 million in federal grants to help enroll uninsured Americans in the Health Insurance Marketplace, including $2,384,833 awarded to South Carolina health centers. With these funds, South Carolina health centers expect to hire 45 additional workers, who will assist 41,050 South Carolinians with enrollment into affordable health insurance coverage.
Preventing illness and promoting health As of March 2012, South Carolina had received $18,000,000 in grants from the Prevention and Public Health Fund created by the health care law. This new fund was created to support effective policies in South Carolina, its communities, and nationwide so that all Americans can lead longer, more productive lives. A Stronger Medicare Program
Making prescription drugs affordable for seniors In South Carolina, people with Medicare saved nearly $100 million on prescription drugs because of the Affordable Care Act. In 2012 alone, 52,686 individuals in South Investing in the primary care workforce Carolina saved over $36 million, or an average As a result of historic investments through the of $677 per beneficiary. In 2012, people with health care law and the Recovery Act, the num- Medicare in the “donut hole” received a 50 bers of clinicians in the National Health Service percent discount on covered brand name drugs Corps are at all-time highs with nearly 10,000 and 14 percent discount on generic drugs. And Corps clinicians providing care to more than thanks to the health care law, coverage for 10.4 million people who live in rural, urban, both brand name and generic drugs will conand frontier communities. The National Health tinue to increase over time until the coverage Service Corps repays educational loans and gap is closed. Nationally, over 6.6 million peoprovides scholarships to primary care physiple with Medicare have saved over $7 billion cians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician on drugs since the law’s enactment. assistants, behavioral health providers, and other primary care providers who practice in Covering preventive services with no deductiareas of the country that have too few health ble or co-pay care professionals to serve the people who live With no deductibles or co-pays, cost is no there. As of September 30, 2012, there were longer a barrier for seniors and people with 131 Corps clinicians providing primary care disabilities who want to stay healthy by detectservices in South Carolina, compared to 54 in ing and treating health problems early. In 2012 2008. alone, an estimated 34.1 million people bene-
fited from Medicare’s coverage of preventive services with no cost-sharing. In South Carolina, 523,349 individuals with traditional Medicare used one or more free preventive service in 2012. Protecting Medicare’s solvency The health care law extends the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by ten years. From 2010 to 2012, Medicare spending per beneficiary grew at 1.7 percent annually, substantially more slowly than the per capita rate of growth in the economy. And the health care law helps stop fraud with tougher screening procedures, stronger penalties, and new technology. Over the last four years, the administration’s fraud enforcement efforts have recovered $14.9 billion from fraudsters. For every dollar spent on health care-related fraud and abuse activities in the last three years the administration has returned $7.90.
Dorchester Democrats Make the March! August 28 was the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,” and some from our county party attended the celebration in Washington, D.C. on the weekend prior. In this photo, that’s DCDP’s 1st Vice Chair Ethel D. Campbell on the right with her daughter Denise and grandson Kenneth. “What a moment!” Ethel says. On that day in 1963, King gave his inspiring “I Have a Dream” speech, calling for racial harmony, civil rights, and fair employment opportunities.
Special Thanks from the Longshoremen for Our Support At its August meeting, the DCDP Executive Committee voted to contribute $250 to aid a civil rights project of the International Association of Longshoremen’s Local 1422. The union rented buses to bring citizens of this region (mostly lowincome folks) to Washington, D.C. on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s March on Washington. We received this thank you letter shortly after their return. Dear Dorchester Democrats: On behalf of the Charleston organizing committee of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the March on Washington, I want to thank you for your recent support of the Charleston delegation. More than 150 local people boarded three buses Friday, August 23rd at the ILA hall, attended Saturday’s eight hour program at the Lincoln Memorial, and marched to the King Memorial site before returning to Charleston early Sunday morning. It was an experience that none of us will soon forget. It was especially heartening to have both older travelers on board who had been in attendance in 1963, as well as very young people who will be back in 2063. Your support made this possible and it was deeply appreciated. For the organizing committee, Leonard Riley, Jr.
Highway Cleanup on Sat., Nov. 2
Blue Jamboree on Sat., Oct. 26
It’s that time again! We’ll be cleaning up the two-mile stretch of Dorchester Road that our county party sponsors.
The West Ashley Democrats will celebrate their third annual Blue Jamboree event this month.
Meet us at the corner of Dorchester and Bacons Bridge (in the CVS parking lot) for 9 a.m. on Nov. 2.
On Sat., Oct. 26, please join them at the Jenkins Institute for Children (3923 Azalea Dr. in North Charleston).
The cool weather that morning will allows us to have a cool and quick cleanup! Of course, we’ll all gather in the nearby coffee shop/ bakery right near CVS when we’re finished.
You can RSVP on the group’s Facebook page for the event (https://www.facebook.com/events/139885012869360/ ). Get out and mingle with our Democrat cousins in Charleston!
Shut down? Oh, shut up, Republicans!
At 12:01 a.m., the House Republicans “shut down” our government by voting against any budget resolution. And without a budget resolution that would approve regular expenses, many facets of the federal government can’t operate. So why, exactly, did the House Republicans do this? Because many key elements of the Affordable Care Act also started on this same day. That’s right—they say they won’t approve any budget extension unless Obamacare gets defunded. In other words, they’re holding the country hostage until their silly demands are met. But here’s a very interesting fact about Obamacare: it still went into effect today. It and other programs, like Social Security and Medicare, are operating even though the GOP tried this “shut down.” Even more hypocritical, failure to pass the budget resolution costs the country even more money—about $20 million every day that the “shut down” remains in effect.
Biden at the Port: ‘It’s all about jobs’ Vice President Joe Biden promoted needed improvements at the Port of Charleston from its Columbus St. Terminal on the early afternoon of Monday, Sept. 16. About 240 from the Charleston region attended the event by invitation from the White House. The Port of Charleston and other U.S. ports need to accommodate newer freight vessels that can carry up to three times the cargo of ordinary freighters, Biden said. Being dredged to a depth of 50 feet will allow the Port of Charleston at all times to accommodate these high-cargo vessels, which are expected to increase in trade use following expansion of the Panama Canal, scheduled for completion in 2014. The port is currently of a 45-foot depth, and can only accommodate “post-Panamax” vessels at high tide. The project is still a candidate for federal funding; if realized, the most, if not all, of the dredging cost, should the federal governdredging could be completed by 2019. ment fail to provide funding. Shipments to the Port of Charleston could double by 2025, Biden Improvements to Charleston’s and other ports would have imsaid, and double again in 2040, if the dredging is done. pact on many industries, too, said Biden, and even aid trade bal“Continuing investment here in Charleston is a big win for every- ance. body.” Rep. Jim Clyburn said the project is a must for the local economy. “Failure to … dredge the Port of Charleston would be a failure of enterprise,” Clyburn said. Political division in Washington, D.C. leaves funding at a standstill currently. Last year the state legislature set aside $300 million to cover
“Manufacturing is coming back,” he said, crediting the growth to corporations’ recognition that “American workers are three times more productive than Chinese workers.” That industry trend could be seen locally, as well, the vice president said. “South Carolina has the finest technical education system in the world,” Biden stated, implying that improvements to the Port of Charleston could attract more businesses to the area that require skilled labor. “It’s all about jobs.”
Clockwise from top-left: Sen. John Matthews and Councilman Willie Davis mingle before the dinner; Diane Urig and Dorothy Brown work the registration table; Sen. Sheheen gives Debbie Mortellaro a signed copy of his book; Dorchester Democratic Women chair Margaret Goodwine speaks to the crowd; Rep. David Mack III greets his constituents; Jedidiah Ayvior provided spirited song that night; Mike Linehan, Rep. Patsy Knight and Ethel Campbell enjoy the evening.
Clockwise from top-left: Now, that’s a tie, Willie Davis!; appetizers were served during cocktail hour; Chairman Richard Hayes welcomes everyone to the dinner; U.S. senate candidate Jay Stamper speaks; State Sen. Marlon Kimpson addresses the crowd just three nights before winning the election.
Calendar of Events October October 1 Special Election for State Senate 42 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Patriots Precinct (North Charleston) October 5 Voter Registration Cut-off Last day to register to vote in order to participate in the November 5 elections. Visit this site (http:// dorchestervotes.org/register-to-vote/ ) to register. October 14 Executive Committee Meeting 7 p.m. at the County Code Building 500 N Main St in Summerville (Directly behind the County Council Building when you enter the parking lot from N Cedar) October 19 Monthly Breakfast Meeting 9 a.m. at Ryan’s, 1314 N Main St. in Summerville You can pay the $10 for breakfast buffet and coffee in the front room where our meeting is held. October 26 Blue Jamboree Jenkins Institute for Children 3923 Azalea Dr. in North Charleston Join the West Ashley Democrats for their celebration! October 31 Trick or treat!
Dorchester Democrats Fantasy League Week 4 Standings Division One: Lowcountry League Winning 3-1 Jake’s NFL Greats 3-1 No More Mr. Nice Guy 2-2 Ziggy’s Patriots 1-3 Mort’s Killer Kats 1-3 Division Two: Palmetto Pack Rob’s Roosters 3-1 Mamasez 3-1 Turney’s Tornadoes 2-2 GCharp62 1-3 Rison’s Raiders 1-3
November November 2 Highway Cleanup 9 a.m.—meet us in the CVS parking lot at the corner of Dorchester and Bacon’s Bridge Roads. November 5 Election Day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at your local precinct. Municipal races will be held in Summerville and Harleyville, and election on a tax proposal will be held at all precincts in the county, too. November 11 Executive Committee Meeting 7 p.m. at the County Code Building 500 N Main St in Summerville November 16 Monthly Breakfast Meeting 9 a.m. at Ryan’s, 1314 N Main St. in Summerville You can pay the $10 for breakfast buffet and coffee in the front room where our meeting is held. November 28 Happy Thanksgiving!
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