Bill Would Require Online List Of Government Spending
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Want to see where your state tax dollars are going?
You will be able to look it up online if a bill introduced in the General Assembly becomes law.
The communications director for state Senate Republicans said that the “Truth in Spending Act” would requires all state and local government entities, including school districts, to post monthly expenditures over $100 on their Web sites. Read more
Senate to Require Truth in Spending
Filed Under Bryant, Caucus, Grooms, McConnell, Top News | Leave a Comment
State and Local Government Expenditures to be Posted Online
Columbia, SC - Under the “Truth in Spending Act” (S.1144) introduced today, taxpayers will no longer need to wonder where their tax dollars are being spent, they will be able to go online and see for themselves. The bill requires all state and local government entities, including school districts, to post monthly expenditures over $100 on their website.
State agencies that are part of the Governor’s Cabinet already report their expenditures online; this bill will expand that requirement and include local governments.
“The Truth in Spending Act will shine a light on wasteful government spending at all levels — state, county, municipal, even school districts will disclose spending,” says Senator Larry Grooms (R- Berkeley), the primary sponsor of the bill. “Government in South Carolina will be held accountable for spending, because government spending will be available for viewing 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“It’s all about accountability,” says Senator Kevin Bryant (R- Anderson), a sponsor of the bill and vocal advocate of financial disclosure. “We want the citizens of this state to know how their money is being spent. The more access taxpayers have to information the more likely they are to hold government accountable for the spending of those dollars.”
Under the provisions of the bill online listings of expenditures must be updated monthly and must include: the transaction amount, name of payee, and purpose of expenditure. In addition to cash expenditures, monthly credit card statements must also be posted online. The bill does make some exception for law enforcement expenditures that could jeopardize the operations a department.
“This bill has been a long time in coming,” says Senator Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston), one of the key sponsors of the bill. “This ray of sunshine will reach into the darkest corners of government spending by requiring all expenditures over $100 to be posted online as well as credit card statements for cards issued for official business.”
State or local governments that do not maintain a website will be required to send information to the State Budget and Control Board, who will post the information on designated section of the Board’s website.
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Senate Summary | Week of February 11-14, 2008
Filed Under Bryant, Hayes, Leatherman, McConnell, Ritchie, Verdin | 1 Comment
Quote of the Week: “It is a credit to Mr. Lloyd that throughout this process there has not been one thing presented that would in any way cast a negative shadow on this nomination. I think the unanimous vote for his confirmation shows what type of person members think Reggie Lloyd is and what type of chief of SLED they think he will be.”
Senate Judiciary Chairman Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston), on the confirmation of Reginald Lloyd as SLED chief.
Illegal Immigration Reform-The Senate amended the House changes to the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act (S.392) on Wednesday, February 13, and sent it back to the House for concurrence. The latest effort by the Senate to produce a strong immigration reform bill comes after 18 months of work.
During the 2007 legislative session the Senate heavily debated illegal immigration reform before passing a bill that was sent to the House. A Senate subcommittee, chaired by Senator Jim Ritchie (R-13), Majority Whip, conducted public hearings throughout the summer and the Senate continued working to strengthen the bill this session.
The bill, as amended by the Senate, is the strongest illegal immigration reform legislation approved by either body so far. If the House does not concur with the Senate’s final amendments the bill will go to conference.
SLED Chief - Reginald Lloyd Confirmed by Senate U.S. Attorney and former South Carolina Circuit Court Judge, Reginald I. Lloyd will soon be referred to as Chief Lloyd. The South Carolina Senate, this week, unanimously approved Governor Mark Sanford’s nomination of Lloyd to lead the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Upon being sworn-in, Lloyd will become the first African-American to serve as the chief of SLED.
Cigarette Tax Receives Two-Week Extension The Senate Finance Special Subcommittee on Cigarette Tax (H.3567) met on Thursday, February 14. The meeting served mainly as an update for subcommittee members, who heard from staff conducting research on the issue. The next meeting of the subcommittee is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19.
Later, during the Senate session on Thursday, Finance Chairman Senator Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence) requested and was granted a two-week extension. The bill was scheduled to return to the Senate floor next week, but is now scheduled to return on Wednesday, March 5.
DUI Reform-The Senate Judiciary Committee completed discussion on DUI Reform (H.3496) on Tuesday, February 12. The bill received two days of debate, during which time senators carefully poured over each proposed amendment and discussed the ramifications of each.
The bill, as amended, received a favorable report and now moves to the full Senate, where it has been set for Special Order.
Fire Sprinklers- The Senate Licensing Subcommittee of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Regulations Committee met on Tuesday, February 12, to continue discussions on pending legislation (S.860, S.921) concerning fire sprinkler systems. More than 10 different fire departments were represented in the meeting with some giving testimony, including State Fire Marshall, John Reich.
Several ranking fire officials spoke in favor of including language in S.860 that would allow local municipalities to adopt more stringent fire codes on new construction homes, if the legislation was not mandated statewide.
After hearing testimony for more than an hour, the subcommittee moved to carry over the discussion until the next meeting.
Nonprofit Raffles Have a Chance- Two bills allowing nonprofit organizations to expand their fundraising options passed a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee this week. One bill (S.967) is a constitutional amendment that would allow nonprofits to conduct raffles. Currently only the State can legally conduct a raffle.
The second bill (S.732) is a statutory change that would allow nonprofits to hold a “casino night” style fundraising event.
The two bills now go before the full Senate Judiciary Committee and could be on the calendar as early as Tuesday, February 19.
Payday Lending- The Senate began debate on payday lending (S.398) on Thursday and carried the discussion over until next week.
Senator Wes Hayes (R-York) presented an amendment that came out of the Banking and Insurance Committee that dealt with:
- A statewide database
- Maximum loan amounts tied to personal income
- Number of outstanding loans made to one person
- Extended pay period with no additional penalty
- Board of Financial Institutions reporting to Senate
- Increased licensing fees for payday lenders
The Senate will continue discussion on the amendment, the bill and the broader subject of payday lending on Tuesday, February 19.
South Carolina Entrepreneurial Success Fund A Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Regulations Subcommittee, chaired by Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) heard testimony on the South Carolina Entrepreneurial Success Fund Act (S.897). The subcommittee, after hearing testimony, voted to give the bill a favorable report and send it to the full Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Regulations Committee.
Water Withdrawal- The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Senator Danny Verdin (R-Laurens) met on Wednesday, February 13, to give committee members an update on the progress of discussions concerning water withdrawal permitting (S.428/H.3578). No actions were taken.
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David Stanton’s Inside SC Politics
Filed Under Bryant, Top News | Leave a Comment
S.C. Senate Republican website
The S.C. Senate Republican caucus has a new website: www.scsenategop.com. Built on a new blog platform, the site will help keep voters informed of news from the Statehouse. Using the latest video technologies, Senators will be able to speak directly to voters. The blog will be updated daily.
Also, State Senator Kevin Bryant, (R)-Anderson County, is blogging at www.kevinbryant.blogspot.com.
