Legislative Pulse

Charleston Apartment Association
Legislative Pulse

The CAA Legislative Pulse is a monthly newsletter designed to keep Charleston Apartment Association members abreast of topical political news impacting our industry.  The CAA Legislative Pulse will be released to members the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Wine Tasting Benefiting the National Apartment Association's Political Action Committee (NAAPAC)    

   

A hearty thank you again to the sponsors, attendees and to Woodfield Long Point for making last month's wine tasting a success.  A special thank you to food and/or wine sponsors: Ehrlich Pest Control, Rainbow Custom Flooring, Inner Motiva, Edgewater Plantation, Darby Development, Wendy Tucker, Victoria Cowart, Marysa Raymond, Cathy Hontz, Ellen Hoffman, Tori Stein, Tony Scruggs, Katie Chapman and silent auction donors:  Ehrlich Pest Control, Carter Haston, Atkinson Pool and Spas, Furniture Rentals, Furniture Services, Forever Green, eLifespaces, Appliance Warehouse, Atlantic Palms and the Charleston Home Builders Association.

The event raised $1,700 for NAAPAC and $375 for the NAA's Better Government Fund (BGF).  NAAPAC's goal is to keep the multifamily rental housing industry at the forefront of legislation.  The impact our industry makes both locally and nationally starts right here at home with local participation.  NAAPAC supports political leaders and candidates who are advocates and open to learning more about our industry.  Their support is vital when topical legislation is on the table.

Raffle to Benefit the National Apartment Association's Political  

Action Committee (NAAPAC) 

 
NAA is $18,000 away from making history.  $340,000 has been raised for PAC this year and $142,000 for the Better Government Fund (BGF).  That's just $18,000 away from the half million dollar goal.  Please join in on this last drive toward the end of an outstanding year.  Click here by December 14th to participate and potentially win an iPad3 just in time for the holidays.

   

Save the Dates:

S.C. Apartment Association Legislative Day at the State House - February 27, 2013

This is our opportunity for key leaders to see and meet the faces of our industry, which speaks volumes and resonates throughout the year as vital industry issues are discussed.  We invite all CAA industry allies to join us.  The more Charleston faces seen the more we'll leave a lasting impact.

Overview:  A legislative program and overview of current legislation affecting the multi-family housing industry will begin at 9:30am followed by a luncheon with invited legislators at the State House.  The day will conclude by 3pm.

Registration Information:  The cost is $35 per attendee (includes registration & materials, refreshments and lunch).  Registration begins at 9am, with the meeting commencing at 9:30am.  Confirmation of registration, map/directions and a detailed agenda will be emailed to registrants prior to the event. Expect registration information to follow in the coming months.  Click here for the flyer in PDF format.  

NAA Capitol Conference

March 10 - 13, 2013 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC

In 2012, NAA hosted the most highly attended Capitol Conference on record, with 525 registered members, a 9 percent increase over last year's record number.  More than 244 NAA members held 162 meetings with U.S. Senators or congressional staff on Lobby Day.  Many other NAA members have either met with or scheduled meetings with their members of Congress, particularly the House of Representatives, during their congressional recesses.  Expect more conference details to be announced by NAA soon. 

SCE&G Rate Increase

WHAT:  Public hearing on South Carolina Electric & Gas Co.'s rate hike request

NEXT HEARING:  6 p.m. Nov. 27, at 101 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC     

South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. wants to raise electric rates an overall 6.61 percent on its 668,000 customers across the state, a request that comes just over two years after the Cayce-based utility asked for a nearly 10 percent hike in its electric rates that was later cut in half.

Rate hike breakdown -

If the rate hike is approved as proposed, this is how it would be spread across customers:

Residential:  4.85%
Small commercial:  1.36%
Medium commercial:  2.78%
Large commercial:  3.69%

Current bill -  

$131.78 for residential customers using 1,000 kilowatts a month.  Additional cost if the latest rate hike is approved:  $6.67 a month.  (Current bill does not include 2.5% base rate increase for nuclear units that took effect Oct. 31.)