South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Cruelty is cruelty. Why put dogs on a pedestal?”

— Sen. Danny Verdin, R-Laurens, as he expanded a bill that would make it illegal to tether dogs more than three hours a day to include all pets

CAMPAIGN TRAIL

News from campaigns competing in June’s primary. Read the rest of this entry »

The Senate again is set to take up common-law marriage when it convenes today, and by some accounts, the centuries-old S.C. tradition is hanging on by a thread.

Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Horry, is on a three-week filibuster of a House-passed bill that, with Senate approval and the governor’s signature, would end recognition of marriages that are forged on intent, rather than a state license.

The measure has provisions that would give residents a grace period to legitimize their relationships via a state license, and also call for a state effort to educate the public that common-law marriages would no longer be recognized. Read the rest of this entry »

Week of March 11 - 13, 2008

Quote of the Week: All I want is to leave enough water in the river for it to remain a river.
  Senator Chip Campsen (R-Charleston) commenting on minimum flow standards discussed in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Candidate Drug Testing Bill to be Screened on Senate Floor The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 1070, a.k.a the Candidate Drug Testing Bill, on Tuesday, March 11. The debate on the bill, while serious, certainly had its moments of levity, including an amendment by a senior Democrat senator to include IQ test results with candidate filing papers. The amendment was immediately voted down.

The bill is now on the Senate calendar awaiting debate. Read the rest of this entry »

Quote of the Week: “The South Carolina Senate has an obligation to step up…to encourage Congress to take action on a matter of such importance as illegal immigration and this limited call is one of the most effective tools to accomplish that.” Senator Larry Martin, (R-Pickens), Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, concerning the adoption of a resolution calling for a Constitutional Convention

Cigarette Tax

The Senate’s Special Finance Subcommittee on Cigarette Tax (H.3567), Senator Thomas Alexander (R- Oconee/Pickens) Chairman, heard testimony this week from the Covering Carolina Collaborative. The collaborative includes the South Carolina Hospital Association, South Carolina Medical Association, South Carolina Alliance of Health Plans and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. The subcommittee is scheduled to meet again next week to continue working on proposed amendments to the bill.

Originally, the bill was scheduled to return to the full Senate on Wednesday, February 6, but on Thursday, January 31, Senator Alexander asked that the Senate grant the subcommittee an extension until Wednesday, February 20 to report its findings. The extension was granted by unanimous consent.

Small Business Healthcare

The small employer health group cooperative bill (S. 588) was returned to the Senate and a final review of House amendments is expected this week.

Constitutional Convention

After two days of debate, the South Carolina Senate adopted a resolution requesting that the United States Congress call a Constitutional Convention to address illegal immigration. The resolution proposes several specific areas of amendment to the Constitution, should a convention be called. First, prohibit the creation of any provisions in the Constitution restricting or limiting a state’s ability to enforce federal immigration law. Second, allow states to determine which services provided by the state will or will not be extended to undocumented aliens, and finally, the resolution proposes states be granted the legal authority to expel from its borders undocumented persons who are in violation of federal immigration law.

The resolution was sent to the South Carolina House of Representatives for consideration where it was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

DUI Reform

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee working on DUI reform (H. 3496) met this week to discuss multiple amendments to the bill before sending it to the full committee. The subcommittee is schedule to meet again next Tuesday morning prior to the Senate session.

The Week Ahead

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on DUI Reform will meet Tuesday, February 5, in room 105 at 10:00 a.m. A full Judiciary Committee meeting will be held in room 105 at 3:00 p.m.

The Senate Special Finance Subcommittee on Cigarette Tax will meet Tuesday, February 5, in room 308 at 2:30 p.m. A full Finance Committee meeting will be held in room 308 at 3:00 p.m.

The Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Water Withdrawal, Permitting, Use, and Reporting will meet Wednesday, February 6, in room 406 at 11:00 a.m.

Judicial elections will be conducted on Wednesday, February 6, during a joint session at 12:00 p.m.

The Spending Caps Study Committee will meet Thursday, February 7, in room 308 at 10:00 a.m.

A Judiciary Screening Subcommittee will meet on Thursday, February 7, in room 308 at 12:00 p.m. (or 30 minutes after adjournment) concerning the nomination of Reginal Lloyd for SLED Chief.