EASLEY — First Haley, now McMaster? It appears so.
For the second time in two years, a sitting governor will appear with Rep. Neal Collins in Pickens County.
The event, billed as a “family friendly Town Hall,” will take place in Easley on July 18.
Along with Gov. Henry McMaster, the winner of the 2017 Miss South Carolina pageant, Suzi Roberts, will be making an appearence along with the Easley High School Jazz Combo.
Easley Pack 130 has signed on to lead the crowd in the pledge of allegiance as the official flag bearers and 2016’s Distinguished Young Woman of America and current Clemson University Rally Cat, Tara Moore, is slated to perform a jazz solo.
The event in Easley marks the latest in a series of “unofficial campaigning” stops McMaster has made across the state since the field of Republicans seeking his seat has grown.
Collins, who is not up for re-election, has been publicly supportive of the governor since he was abruptly “promoted” following then Governor Haley’s acceptance of the United Nations Ambassador position.
The main topics expected for discussion at Collins’ Town Hall are education and roads — both of which he has been heavily involved in.
“I poured much effort into the (roads) issue again this year. In fact, I became the de facto opposition leader against the 12 cent gas tax bill that passed,” Collins wrote in a letter mailed to constituents.
Collins states that he was not an “obstructionist,” saying he offered amendments, spoke from the well and organized the one and only caucus meeting on the subject.
Collins lamented the Senate attaching “the worst tax breaks we could have” to the roads bill, namely the college tax credit, earned income tax credit and the vehicle maintenance tax credit.
“I serve on the GPATS, ACOG and appoint our CTC,” he said. “While none are wasteful or fraudulent on its own, the system is inefficient. Worse, there is still no one person to hold accountable.”
As one of the youngest members of the House, Collins has utilized personal appearances and social media to keep a level of accessibility rarely seen in politics.
His Facebook page boasts over 3,300 “followers” and posts daily, making his positions clear and keeping voters abreast of current situations and bills in the House.
The Town Hall meeting with Rep. Collins and Gov. McMaster will take place on July 18 in the auditorium of Gettys Middle School, 510 South Pendleton Street in Easley, running from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
