‘Keep it up, Rock Hill, York Co.,’ says Sen. Graham, touting area’s growth

Aug. 31--YORK COUNTY -- York County is "growing like a weed," said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who praised the area's leaders for their work to attract businesses and newcomers.

During a 36-hour tour of the county, Graham told local leaders he would fight to support York County on the federal level as he prepares to tackle issues in Congress, from healthcare to tax reform to a possible infrastructure bill.

"I don't know what you're doing, but keep it up," Graham said Wednesday while visiting Rock Hill, Tega Cay and York during his two-day trip. "Rock Hill is doing some great work, the county is growing as fast as possible, and (Winthrop) University is knocking it out of the park."

Graham said he is using the August Congressional recess to tour South Carolina, county-by-county, to listen to concerns and understand how he can use his national stature to solve problems. The Senate and House of Representatives will be back in session Sept. 5.

At times, the senator drew distinct lines between his agenda and that of President Donald Trump.

Graham told county officials he would do anything possible to save Community Development Block Grants, which provide flexible funds communities use to develop affordable housing and upgrade infrastructure. Trump's 2018 budget, introduced in June, proposes eliminating the $3 billion program.

Graham also detailed his alternate healthcare proposal following the failure of the latest Senate Republicans' plan to crack 50 votes.

Graham said his plan -- which would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act -- would convert money currently being spent on ACA coverage into a block grant to states. The states could then choose how to spend the money, Graham said.

Trump has called on Republicans to try their "skinny repeal," which dramatically failed this summer following a "nay" vote from U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), once the recess ends.

"We'll do a healthcare bill eventually," said Graham at a lunch in Tega Cay hosted by the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce. "Repealing and replacing, we've been promising that for seven years. How could people not be mad at us if we don't deliver? If we're unsuccessful, we'll get punished politically, and we'll deserve it."

He also pledged to "pursue with a vengeance" any attempt to shut down the government amid budget talks about the border wall with Mexico. Trump threatened earlier this month to force a federal shutdown unless Congress provides money for the project.

But Graham was quick to note where he and the president see eye-to-eye. He said Democrats and Republicans could rally around what he sees as a $500 billion infrastructure bill to help rebuild the nation's crumbling roads and bridges.

He says such a bill could come as soon as spring 2018. He said an infrastructure agreement could save South Carolina's "secondary" roads not affected by the state's recently-passed gas tax bill.

"Anything we can do at the federal level to help you all would be great," said Graham while speaking with county leaders in York. "I wish more of my colleagues would do more of this (talk with constituents)."

Graham said he wants to make sure his local offices stay in touch with York County officials when he heads back to Washington, D.C.

His first priorities in office, he said, will be to raise the debt ceiling and pass an agreeable budget while keeping a watchful eye on powder keg North Korea, which recently launched a missile over Japan.

Graham spent plenty of time Wednesday morning shaking hands and hearing stories from Rock Hill business leaders on Main Street.

He promised leaders with technology firm Span Enterprises to help simplify the tax code, congratulated Nailed It DIY owners on working on franchise opportunities, and said the upcoming University Center project near Winthrop would "make living in Rock Hill even more attractive."

"I think he definitely saw the progress that we're making downtown," said Rock Hill City Council member John Black. "We're revitalizing the city. The fruits of our labor are showing up, and it's very positive."

David Thackham: 803-329-4066, @dthackham

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