Small Business "Backbone" Podcast

Small Business "Backbone" Podcast

por Frank Knapp
EmprendimientoPolítica
Temporada 1

Freshman House member, Robert Reese, talks about what led to his run, DEI, and energy

First year Representative Robert Reese gives his professional and volunteerism background and how he came to run for office. He says that his first year was “revelatory”. Rep. Reese tells the story of how a dormant family farm, on which his great grandmother grew and picked cotton, led him to ask to serve on the House Agriculture Committee. He shares how he felt compelled, due to his decades of professional experience in running diversity and inclusion programs, to explain to the full House what DEI really is. As the one of only two members to raise a question before the House voted to strip consumer protections from a big energy bill that passed, Rep. Reese is committed to getting those protections passed.
T1 · E33
5 jun 2025
25:40

Sen. Rex Rice calls this year one of the best legislative sessions and explains

Senator Rex Rice of Pickens County believes that this past legislative session was one of the best. He gives credit to the leadership of Senators Thomas Alexander, Harvey Peeler and Shane Massey. Senator Rice discusses ear marks in the budget that were not allowed this year. He cites the quality of the many new Senators and working across party lines for the Senate having a great year. Senator Rice talks about the critical legislation passed to protect children; tort reform and its impact on insurance premiums; and the energy bill that had consumer protections stripped out by the House.
T1 · E32
3 jun 2025
22:15

Rep. Seth Rose on social media literacy, the transformation of Columbia's Five Points, and padel tennis (????)

Rep. Seth Rose of Richland County shares his enthusiasm for any sport that translates from tennis. The former First Team All-America Singles Tennis Player at the University of South Carolina has found a new love, padel tennis, which he describes as fast growing in popularity. On the legislative front Rep. Rose says that he is greatly concerned about the information being fed to our youth via social media that can be misinformation with the intent to influence opinions. He has introduced legislation that would create a pilot program on media literacy and critical thinking in our schools. He also talks about the need for pretrial intervention programs for individuals on the autism spectrum who commit certain crimes. Rep. Rose also discusses his efforts to obtain funding for major infrastructure projects in Columbia that will make areas of the city, such as Five Points, safer for pedestrians and friendlier to small businesses.
T1 · E31
23 may 2025
26:24

First term Senator, Allen Blackmon, talks about the experience and major bills

As a new Senator, Allen Blackmon talks about lessons learned in his first year. He discusses with the host, Frank Knapp, his assessment of the major energy bill passed without some important consumer protections. Specifically he raises concern that data centers were not held responsible for paying their own way for the new electrical generation they need and that they will not have to report annually on their water consumption, which is enormous. He regrets that the Senate was not given much time to debate the final bill, which he feels was a strategy of the House, He also talks about the process on passing tort reform, in which he was a co-sponsor of the Senate bill. He encourages people to watch the Senate's hearing that resulted in that body voting to remove the State Treasurer from office, He believes that it did not have to come to that if more congenial conversations between the Treasurer and Senate leaders had taken place earlier in the session.
T1 · E30
21 may 2025
25:56

Rep. Jerry Govan points to SC's strong economy to question why an anti-DEI bill

First elected to the SC House in 1992, Rep. Jerry Govan of Orangeburg remarks about the present generation of elected leaders whose experiences are vastly different from those who came before. He offers that legislation to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the public and private sectors is not needed. Rep. Govan points out that programs to make sure all Americans are treated the same have not held back the state’s economy which is booming. Rep. Govan also comments that he sees anti-DEI legislation that passed the House did not follow proper procedures and appears to be just a political statement.
T1 · E29
8 abr 2025
21:08

Senator Darrell Jackson reminisces on his 32 years of service and changes

Having served in the SC Senate for 32 years, Darrell Jackson shares stories of his early days, the Senate giants that he served with, and the Senate’s tradition of a deliberative, respectful process. His own family experience with home healthcare workers funded with Medicaid underscores the importance of the program and the need for higher pay for the workers. Senator Jackson relates how his being a pastor gives him clarity on the needs of the people and how government can help.
T1 · E28
3 abr 2025
22:28

Ayesha Driggers talks about the many services of the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities

The Director of the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities, Ayesha Driggers, talks with podcast host Frank Knapp about how her office helps grow the city’s small businesses. The city has a revolving loan fund that partners with financial lenders to help reduce the interest rate on small business loans. The city loans can be from $10,000 to $200,000 with the rate of 4% below prime. The Office of Business Opportunities facilitates small local businesses receiving contracts from the city for products and services. Start-up small businesses are provided assistance and services. Ms. Driggers also shared that her office is sponsoring their 12th Small Business Week event on May 9th where local small business owners will have a full day of information and opportunity to connect with banks and potential clients.
T1 · E27
31 mar 2025
21:35

General contractor, Cliff Wilson, discusses how immigration and tarrif policies are impacting his business

Cliff Wilson, President and CEO of The Centric Group based in Columbia, SC, talks with podcast host Frank Knapp about the general contractor business. He tells how he arrived at the name of his business and how his success left an original plan behind. He shares how the turmoil over the Trump Administration's policies on immigration and tariffs have caused severe problems for his industry. While he has tried to adapt and plan; lack of crews, project delays and higher costs have led to decreased revenues.
T1 · E26
26 mar 2025
23:43

Rep. Gil Gatch shares fascinating story of his background and talks about family law, the budget and tort reform

Representative Gil Gatch talks with podcast host Frank Knapp about his winding road to becoming a lawyer in his late 30's and how those experiences helped shape his perspective on family law and legislation. He tells why is proud of the budget the House passed and his distaste for the antics of some members of the House. Rep. Gatch explains the issues covered in the House passed tort reform bill compared to the more expansive Senate bill on the issue. He tells why a special ad hoc committee in the House will hold hearings on the cost of insurance and that insurance companies will be compelled to testify, something they did not do during the hearings on tort reform in the House.
T1 · E25
19 mar 2025
26:06

SC Senate President Thomas Alexander shares the history of his position and his fentanyl bill

SC Senate President Thomas Alexander expresses his appreciation for the Senators he presides over and talks about his 38 years serving in the legislature. He shares the role of the presiding officer of the Senate and the reason that position changed from being the Lt. Governor. Senator Alexander talk with podcast host Frank Knapp about the need for his bill to create the offense of fentanyl-induced homicide. Creating a specific crime punishable by imprisonment for up to 30 years for lacing other drugs with fentanyl of just selling other drugs containing fentanyl would hopefully reduce the number of deaths attributed to the drug. The Senator also talks about the importance of small business and the role of government in its support.
T1 · E24
17 mar 2025
28:09
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