THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

“People are ready for change,” challenger says amid contentious race in LexingtonSenate District 23

The GOP primary race for a Lexington Senate seat:
35 of 35 precincts — 100%
Jake Knotts (i) — 4,858, 45%
Katrina Shealy — 4,395, 41%
Michael Sturkie — 1,521, 14%

JAKE KNOTTS
- Age: 63
- Education: Midlands Technical College, 1975
- Occupation: Retired law enforcement officer
- Elected political experience: 13 years in the S.C. House and Senate (more…)

Immigration bill 4400
South Carolina became the fifth state in the nation to pass broad illegal immigration reform with the stroke of Gov. Mark Sanford’s pen Wednesday.

The new law — the hallmark of this legislative session — is being touted as the toughest in the United States. Legislators said they studied the laws and lessons from Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and Oklahoma, and incorporated what worked, improved what didn’t and added a number of new provisions.

“This puts South Carolina in the forefront of where all states are on immigration reform,” said Sanford, who was joined by about 20 legislators for the bill signing. (more…)

Sanford praises plan as strong, enforceable

The third time may prove to be the charm on immigration legislation in the Senate and possibly for the Legislature.

With little debate, senators on Tuesday gave key approval to the third compromise plan on immigration to originate in the Senate this year, led by Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell.

If approved today by senators and concurred on by the House later this week, the legislation will be sent to Gov. Mark Sanford with days to spare before the end of the legislative session.
Sanford praised the bill as a good one in a statement after the vote. (more…)

Measure would give property tax credit to those who voluntarily install systems

The House concurred Tuesday with the Senate’s changes to a bill providing incentives to those who install fire sprinklers, sending the legislation to the governor.

The Senate had passed the bill last week after years of public hearings, committee meetings and negotiations among lawmakers.

“I think it was a surprise to almost everyone that we got a bill here at the end,” Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell said. “It’s one of those last-minute dashes to the finish line.” (more…)