Local delegation reviews challenges in the months ahead

ROCK HILL — The York County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its legislative breakfast Tuesday at Rock Hill’s City Club.

Fifth District Congressman Mick Mulvaney told the group that because the so-called Super Committee failed to reach an agreement on budget reductions, defense spending is scheduled to automatically decline by 60-billion dollars or ten percent next year.

On the other hand, Mulvaney says there will be dramatic cuts in Medicare that will drive doctors and hospitals out of business.

State Senator Wes Hayes of Rock Hill said during the legislative breakfast that South Carolina’s state employee retirement system will be in jeopardy without major changes.

Hayes says the rate of return on investment of the money in the system has been lowered from eight percent to seven percent, but even that’s somewhat of a stretch.

Other members of the York County state legislative delegation also spoke at Tuesday’s breakfast.