The restructuring of the state Department of Transportation and making health insurance more affordable are atop the General Assembly's to-do list when the new session opens Tuesday, Republican Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (RGaffney) said.

Speaking before a large audience at a Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce-sponsored breakfast Friday, Peeler said the overhaul of the DOT is in response to a highly-critical audit. Peeler said Gov. Mark Sanford wants to make the DOT a cabinet position, but he doubts if the General Assembly will support that move.

On the issue of health care, Peeler said there's support to funnel the funds from a proposed hike in the state cigarette tax to help state residents who can't afford health insurance.

This session, the General Assembly will also examine ways to stem the sharp increase in workman's compensation premiums as well as consider bills on immigration, public safety and education funding.

First-time state lawmaker Rep. Dennis Moss (D-Gaffney) said 150 bills have been prefiled. Moss, a Democrat who will

serve on the Medicaid, Military and Municipal Association committee, said his goal is to "work together on both sides of the aisle." At the conclusion of the

breakfast, the local state lawmakers fielded questions from Chamber members and local political leaders.

Charles Hamrick, vice-president of Hamrick Mills, told

Peeler that recently-passed property tax relief legislation has shifted the tax burden to industry. Hamrick said industry can't pass the increase along to its customers.