This week | Key issues before legislative committees this week
Filed Under Caucus, McConnell, Top News | Leave a Comment
The South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus will meet again to discuss the future of Jim Schweitzer, director of the Department of Public Safety.
Caucus members will meet with Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell Tuesday — with hopes of meeting with Gov. Mark Sanford — to talk about racial profiling and how officers within the state’s Highway Patrol are disciplined.
The caucus has stalled the second-term confirmation of Schweitzer until these issues can be resolved. Read more
Senate agrees to payday lending restrictions
Filed Under Caucus, Hawkins, Thomas | Leave a Comment
The Senate has agreed to tougher restrictions on payday loans.
The bill requires lenders to check a borrower database and places a $500 limit on loans. It also bans multiple loans in a seven-day period.
Spartanburg Senator John Hawkins spent more than an hour Tuesday calling for a ban, saying the state can never contain the industry.
Fountain Inn Senator David Thomas says payday lenders provide a needed service. Read more
Lynches River County Park’s Discovery Center unveiled
Filed Under Caucus, Leatherman | Leave a Comment
A canopy walk at the Lynches River County Park passed the ultimate test Friday when state Sen. Yancey McGill of Kingstree walked across it with the encouragement of Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone.
McGill, Boone and other dignitaries were present for the formal opening of the Environmental Discovery Center at the 676-acre park. A major feature of the 2,700-square-foot Discovery Center is the canopy walk. It enters the treetops to offer a panoramic view of nature that humans rarely see.
“It was very exciting, absolutely beautiful,” McGill said as he stepped off the swinging canopy and planted his sturdy 6-foot-4-inch frame on the walkway’s solid foundation. “My heart was pumping and the oxygen was flowing.” Read more
Senate approves bill regulating payday lenders
Filed Under Caucus, Hawkins, Ritchie | Leave a Comment
Spartanburg lawmakers on opposite sides of banning industry
John Hawkins and Jim Ritchie sit next to each other in the Senate chamber.
But the two Spartanburg Republicans couldn’t be farther apart when it comes to payday lenders.
Hawkins, one of 13 lawyer-legislators involved in a class-action lawsuit against the industry, wanted an outright ban. Ritchie helped author compromise legislation that regulates payday lenders but allows them to stay in business. Read more
