Pee Dee News

Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on September 3.

House Speaker Jay Lucas and Senate LCI Chairman Thomas Alexander To Receive Inaugural Awards

COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (SC Chamber) announced today that South Carolina House Speaker Jay Lucasand South Carolina Senate Labor, Commerce, and Industry (LCI) Committee Chairman Thomas Alexander have been named the SC Chamber’s 2021 Legislators of the Year.

As part of the SC Chamber’s Legislator of the Year Award selection process, a subcommittee of the Legislative Agenda Task Force (LATF), proposed candidates to the full LATF, and ultimately, the final candidates were approved by the SC Chamber’s Executive Committee. Moving forward, at the conclusion of each legislative session, local chambers of commerce will also have the opportunity to nominate candidates for consideration by the LATF Awards Subcommittee.

To be considered for the Legislator of the Year Award, a legislator must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Maintains a strong pro-business voting record on the SC Chamber’s Legislative Voting Record.
• Leads on SC Chamber-supported pro-business legislation.
• Consistently supports business community priorities.
• Is a rising star on business community issues.
• Develops a strong partnership with the SC Chamber.
• Willing to work “across the aisle” to pass pro-business legislation.

“We are thrilled to recognize Speaker Jay Lucas and Chairman Thomas Alexander as the SC Chamber’s first-ever Legislators of the Year,” said SC Chamber President and CEO Bob Morgan. “During the 2021 legislative session, Speaker Lucas led the way on two top SC Chamber priorities: COVID-19 liability protections for business and passage of a Hate Crimes Bill. Because of his leadership, we saw passage of the Hate Crimes Bill in the House – something that has never been done before – and the signing of the COVID liability bill into law. In the Senate, Chairman Alexander was a champion for expanding broadband before the issue rose to its current level of prominence due to COVID. As a business owner himself, he has long been a leading supporter of businesses issues across the board. We appreciate their hard work on behalf of the business community and are looking forward to honoring them at our Annual Summit later this year.”

“Collaborating with all parties to create an economic climate that allows our business communities, from the smallest to the largest, to be successful is a priority in representing Senate District 1,” said Chairman Thomas Alexander. “These entities across South Carolina provide jobs for our citizens and are the economic backbone of our communities. It has been a pleasure to work with the State Chamber over the years as we work toward these mutual goals. I am grateful for this recognition from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and would like to recognize that it is through the effort of ALL parties working together that we can continue to move our State forward.”

“I am honored and humbled to receive the inaugural South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Legislator of the Year Award,” said Speaker Jay Lucas. “Our shared commitment to pro-business policy helps the South Carolina economy continue to thrive as one of the most attractive states in the country to do business in.”

Speaker Lucas and Chairman Alexander will be recognized at a ceremony at the SC Chamber’s premier event, The Annual Summit, held October 31st – November 3rd, 2021.

Original source can be found here.