S.C. Senate aims to spur Congress to act on immigration
Filed Under Caucus, Campbell, Top News, Scott, Grooms, McConnell | 2 Comments
As part of a multifaceted approach to illegal immigration, the state Senate on Wednesday issued a call for a national constitutional convention in a strategy aimed at forcing Congress to act.
Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell first introduced the concept in October after Washington negotiators failed to agree on a new immigration policy. The goal is not to see a convention convene, McConnell said. Rather, it’s to pressure Congress.
“Our hope is that this will be a call that will start to gain steam across America and it will put some heat under Congress and they will do what they’ve been sent there to do,” said McConnell, R-Charleston.
Governor Mark Sanford Visits Aiken; Pushes DUI Reform Tools
Filed Under Massey, Caucus, Top News | 1 Comment
South Carolina ranks third in the nation for alcohol-related road deaths. Many say the state’s current DUI laws make it difficult to convict drunk drivers.
Governor Sanford made a stop at Jim Hanna’s Apparel Store in Aiken Monday morning to push his “First 30 Days Agenda”, announcing three key reforms that include changing what he calls “weak” DUI laws in the state.
“It’s easier to prosecute a first degree murder case in South Carolina than it is a DUI case, according to a whole number of solicitors across the state,” said Sanford.
Governor Sanford took his fight to the internet releasing a video on You Tube. It shows startling statistics of alcohol-related deaths in South Carolina and a grieving mother whose 5-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver in 2005.
Sanford is calling for stiffer penalties since 40 percent of drunk drivers are repeat offenders and end up pleading to lesser charges because of current DUI laws.
Sanford’s reform also includes, penalizing drivers based on blood-alcohol level, officers would not be required to repeat Miranda rights multiple times and suspending the driver’s license for any one who refuses to take a breath test.
South Carolina Senator Shane Massey says he pushing to the change the loopholes in the law.
“We need to make them so that they are easy to understand and possible for the solicitor to convict drunk drivers,” said Massey.
Governor Sanford laid out two other bills he wants passed during the next 30 days. He wants small businesses to have better access to health care by allowing them to ban together to buy health insurance.
He also wants immigration reform by requiring employers doing business in South Carolina to verify citizenship of their workers.
NBC Augusta
By Danielle Johnson
1/31/08
Aiken Standard: New law will save S.C. babies
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A state law that had its roots in Aiken may well save the lives of some infants in South Carolina.
The law that took effect on Tuesday requires hospitals to show the mothers of newborn children a video about Shaken Baby Syndrome before the children can go home. Shaken Baby Syndrome refers to the effects on the brain of an infant when it is severely shaken. Such shaking can cause severe and permanent brain damage. In some cases death results.
The new video was first shown at Aiken Regional Medical Centers on Jan. 1 with the mother of the county’s first child of 2008. The eight-minute video alerts mothers to the impact on the child if it is shaken.
Fort Mill Times: Gregory won’t run again for state Senate seat
Filed Under Caucus, Gregory | 1 Comment
Add S.C. Senate District 16 to the list of seats up for grabs come November.
Republican Sen. Chauncey “Greg” Gregory recently announced he will not seek re-election when his term expires at the end of this year. Gregory held the seat for 16 years. He said it’s difficult to walk away with such seniority, but he felt it was time to move on.
“I don’t have much on my agenda left to accomplish,” Gregory said. “I didn’t see the point of another four years with just a couple of things left. Besides, change is good; new ideas are a good thing.”
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