In today's world, we're in a global race for jobs, capital and ultimately way of life with the other six and half billion souls on Earth. I have talked fairly incessantly over the last few years about what we all know at a gut level -- that change is real. Indeed, change is here, and therefore, we can't keep doing things as we've always done them in South Carolina government and thrive in today's world.

It is a long way from NASCAR's idea of fixing an engine, but many of us grew up seeing cars pulled underneath big oak trees that allowed their owners to pull the engine for repair with a chain and a hoist. The legislative session we're now in represents this year's chance to better tune the way things work in South Carolina. It also represents an opportunity for each one of us to grab a wrench and lend a hand. I write to ask that you join us in this year's engine work and to list a few things that are at the top of our work list.