THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

In a year when the number of alcohol-related driving arrests has increased in the City of Aiken by 50 percent, new legislation aimed at closing loopholes that proponents say will help prosecute those cases has been applauded locally.

The bill, signed by Gov. Mark Sanford on Tuesday, toughens penalties for most first-time offenses and all second and subsequent offenses, removing community service sentencing options after a repeated conviction and requiring jail time.

But it also closes loopholes that Solicitor Barbara Morgan once said, at times, makes prosecuting a drunken driver in the Palmetto State more difficult than prosecuting a murderer. (more…)

Joint Legislative Committee Reaches Agreement on Informed Consent Law Amendments

Columbia, SC - During a press conference today Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville) made the following comments concerning the agreement reached by a Joint Legislative Conference Committee on what has become known as the “Ultrasound Bill” or Informed Consent Law (H.3355).

“According to crisis pregnancy reports 70% of the women who are considering an abortion and view an ultrasound prior to the procedure decide to carry the baby to term. This provides winning circumstances for everyone.”

The agreement reached today amends the Informed Consent Law to include a sixty-minute waiting period after an ultrasound is performed before an abortion can take place. The agreement also states that women must be informed of their right to view the ultrasound. A woman has the right to view the ultrasound while the procedure is being performed as well as any time during the newly established sixty-minute waiting period. The new amendments take effect upon approval by the Governor.

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Responsible, Pork-Free Budget Focused On Education and Healthcare

Columbia, SC - The South Carolina Senate today passed a lean, responsible, pork-free budget that fully funds K-12 education and prioritizes healthcare. Senators were forced to make tough funding decisions after the Board of Economic Advisors adjusted estimated state revenue downward by $180 million. The estimate included an expected shortfall in the current budget year of $90 million and an additional $90 million decrease for fiscal year 2008-2009.

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Press Conference On Amendments to Woman’s Right To Know Act

Joint Legislative Conference Committee to Announce Final Agreement on H.3355

Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville), Representative Greg Delleney and members of the Joint Legislative Conference Committee working on current amendments to the Woman’s Right To Know Act will hold a press conference on Thursday, April 17, at 11:45 A.M. in the lower lobby of the State House. The press conference will be held to release the final results of the committee’s efforts.

WHO: Senator Mike Fair, Representative Greg Delleney and Joint Legislative Conference Committee members

WHAT: Results of Conference Committee efforts on H 3355

WHERE: Lower lobby South Carolina State House

WHEN: Thursday, April 17, 11:45 AM

Senator Fair, Representative Delleney and other members of the Joint Legislative Conference Committee will be available for questions immediately following the press conference.

WHY: Senator Fair, Chairman of the Joint Conference Committee, Representative Delleney and the committee members will present the final results of their work on H.3355.

The amendments to be discussed are the result of over a year of work by the General Assembly.