Episode 12 – Micah Caskey

In Season 2, Episode 12 of the Direct Examination podcast, hosts Dayne Phillips and Joseph Bias (with Amber Fulmer attending the SC Bar Leadership Academy) welcome back Representative Micah Caskey (SC House Rep for District 89 and founder of Caskey Law Firm). Reflecting on the show surpassing 7,000 listens, the hosts and Caskey engage in a wide-ranging conversation covering the conclusion of the legislative session, ride-share safety legislation (“Samantha’s Law”), the Carolina Panthers tax incentive bill, state correctional facility conditions, marijuana legalization, and offshore drilling.

Caskey offers behind-the-scenes legislative insights regarding “Samantha’s Law” following the tragic death of Samantha Josephson, explaining the balance between ride-share safety regulations and free-market innovation. Additionally, he breaks down his opposition to the Panthers’ tax credit package, discusses Department of Corrections medical care shortfalls, details upcoming teacher salary increases, and provides an update on the aftermath of the V.C. Summer nuclear plant scandal.

Key Topics Covered

  • 7,000 Listens Milestone & Legal Elite Nominations: Celebrating podcast growth and encouraging listeners to nominate Dayne Phillips and Joseph Bias for Columbia Business Monthly Legal Elite and Free Times honors.

  • Ride-Share Safety (“Samantha’s Law”): The origin, legislative debates, and final compromise behind the ride-share safety bill requiring displayed license plate numbers and ride-share identification to prevent false-vehicle abductions.

  • Carolina Panthers Tax Incentives: Caskey details why he voted against the $115 million tax credit package for the Carolina Panthers’ practice facility, citing narrow tailoring and fairness concerns.

  • SC Department of Corrections Oversight: Examining medical care deficiencies, staffing shortages, and systemic funding challenges facing South Carolina prisons.

  • Teacher Pay Increases: Updates on state budget allocations raising first-year teacher salaries to the Southeastern average and providing multi-tiered salary increases.

  • V.C. Summer Nuclear Scandal Aftermath: Clarifying rate reductions for Dominion/SCANA customers, potential co-op rate impacts, and the ongoing legislative oversight of the abandoned project.

Transcript

Dayne Phillips: Welcome, y’all, to the Direct Examination podcast! My name is Dayne Phillips.

Joseph Bias: And I’m Joseph Bias. We are down one red-headed co-host today! Amber is being recognized at the SC Bar Leadership Academy.

Dayne Phillips: She’s basically a super-volunteer learning how to be a better contributor to the bar.

Joseph Bias: We also want to thank everyone—we just crossed over 7,000 total listens! Make sure to rate us five stars on iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher. Go to free-times.com and vote Dayne Phillips for Best DUI Attorney!

Our guest today is the rock upon which we built this podcast, SC House Representative Micah Caskey! Welcome back, Micah.

Micah Caskey: Glad to be back! Always happy to support my constituents.

Dayne Phillips: The legislative session just ended. Are y’all officially done?

Micah Caskey: We’re “fake done”! We adjourned sine die, but we have to go back to finalize the state budget and handle any gubernatorial vetoes.

Joseph Bias: Let’s talk about “Samantha’s Law”—the ride-share safety bill you and Seth Rose introduced after the tragic death of USC student Samantha Josephson. Where did that bill land?

Micah Caskey: The House passed our original version requiring illuminated dashboard signs almost unanimously. The Senate amended it to allow drivers to display prominently printed signs, along with requiring front-facing license plate numbers or prominent window displays matching the app. While I favored mandatory illuminated signs, the final compromise ensures riders can easily verify license plate numbers and vehicle details from the front of the car before entering. Safety education—like the “#WhatsMyName” campaign—remains the most critical element.

Joseph Bias: You voted against the $115 million tax incentive package for the Carolina Panthers’ new practice facility in Rock Hill. Why?

Micah Caskey: Economic development incentives can be appropriate for massive manufacturing facilities like BMW or Boeing that create thousands of high-paying jobs and supply chains. But the Panthers’ bill was narrowly tailored solely for one professional sports team with a payroll threshold over $190 million. No other business or sports team in South Carolina could ever qualify for it, and the state shouldn’t be giving special tax credits for a practice field.

Dayne Phillips: What is the legislature doing regarding the Department of Corrections medical care issues?

Micah Caskey: As part of House Judiciary Oversight, we are conducting a deep dive into SCDC. The state is facing numerous medical malpractice and civil rights lawsuits due to severe understaffing and underfunding for healthcare providers in prisons. Low pay makes attracting nurses and doctors extremely difficult, and we are working to address these systemic funding gaps.

Joseph Bias: Lightning round: Will medical marijuana pass in South Carolina?

Micah Caskey: Not until the federal government re-schedules marijuana from a Schedule I drug. Once the federal government acts, South Carolina will move quickly on medical marijuana.

Dayne Phillips: What about offshore oil drilling?

Micah Caskey: I co-sponsored a resolution opposing offshore drilling and supported legislation prohibiting onshore infrastructure required for offshore oil extraction.

Dayne Phillips: Teacher pay raises?

Micah Caskey: In this year’s budget, first-year teacher salaries are being raised to the Southeastern average, with 4% to 6% pay increases across the board for veteran teachers.

Joseph Bias: What’s the update on the V.C. Summer nuclear scandal?

Micah Caskey: Dominion/SCANA customers have already seen an approximate 15% reduction on their monthly electric bills since last July. Electric co-op customers may see future rate adjustments depending on the final resolution regarding Santee Cooper’s debt.

Joseph Bias: Time for War Stories!

Micah Caskey: Recently, during a Liberty Fellowship seminar, a former nuclear engineer from SCANA recognized me. She looked at me and said, “I know who you are.” She had read every quote I gave to reporters regarding the V.C. Summer scandal! It was an awkward dinner, but a reminder that people are always paying attention!

Joseph Bias: Thank you to Representative Micah Caskey! Follow Micah on Twitter @MicahCaskey. Follow us @SCLawPod on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, Joseph @JosephPBias, Dayne @SCCrimLawyer, and Amber @actredjudicata. See y’all next week!