THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

State Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler said this morning he will push for a rules change when the Senate meets next to require legislators to cast more recorded votes, even if it means slowing down the Senate.

The issue has been pushed by Gov. Mark Sanford and is supported by some House members and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell. House Speaker Bobby Harrell has questioned the need for it and the cost of such a change.

Rep. Nikki Haley of Lexington unsuccessfully pushed a bill during the last session to require roll call voting for all legislation dealing with spending matters. She said she is introducing such legislation again. (more…)

Action expected to trigger more spending cuts

The state’s top economic forecaster used the gloomiest words and a sober tone Friday to describe South Carolina’s financial outlook.

The Board of Economic Advisors is expected to lower the state’s revenue forecast by at least 4 percent, a threshold that would trigger a special session for the Legislature to cut government spending.

Any cut by the board would be in addition to a 2 percent reduction that’s already been made, meaning a total of at least a 6 percent adjustment off the budget the Legislature passed in June. (more…)

Because of volume, recently unemployed waiting at least 6 weeks for first funds

These trying economic times have pushed many people to the edge of financial survival. For recently unemployed Jill Hoffman, relief has yet to come.

Hoffman, 58, who lives in West Ashley, was recently laid off as a receptionist at a North Charleston car dealership. She promptly filed for unemployment benefits through the state’s Employment Security Commission, and she began applying for other jobs. (more…)

Few of lawmakers’ votes are recorded

A lack of recorded votes by the House and Senate is the most critical issue facing democracy in the state, Ashley Landess, president of the South Carolina Policy Council, said Wednesday.

She was joined by Gov. Mark Sanford and Reps. Nikki Haley, R-Lexington, and Nathan Ballentine, R-Irmo, after the group spent the day traveling the state to call attention to the matter.

“We need the public to understand that this is a fight,” Landess said. Her conservative think tank put out a study in August that found the House took roll-call votes on 8 percent of the bills that became law this year, while the Senate did so only 1 percent of the time. (more…)