Senate Closes Session on Successful Note
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Columbia, SC - The South Carolina Senate closed the regular session today still debating tough issues. In the waning moments of the session the Senate brokered an agreement on the concealed weapons reciprocity bill (H.3212), which expands the number of states recognizing South Carolina’s concealed weapons permits to at least 27. The Senate was also able to build consensus on several DNA bills that were added as amendments to S.429, the final details of a conference committee report will be considered when the General Assembly reconvenes later this month for a final wrap-up session.
Overall this session was highlighted by reform measures being passed on several high profile issues: illegal immigration, DUI, education, and small business health care.
“Immigration reform was the bright and shining star of this session, because it took everyone working together to come up with a viable solution,” says Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee). “I would consider this a correction session. The Senate made significant changes to DUI, education and illegal immigration. I am most pleased that despite a lean budget, we were able to put almost $100 million of new general fund money into K-12 education.”
The biggest topic of the year, immigration reform, came to a final resolution this week when Governor Mark Sanford signed the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act into law. The nation’s strongest and most comprehensive immigration reform law was the result of two years of work by Senate leaders, particularly Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg).
“After two years of hard work, South Carolina now has the strongest, most comprehensive illegal immigration reform law in the country. In addition to a strong E-Verify requirement for all employers, this law addresses all of the key issues in the fight against illegal immigration,” says Senator Ritchie.
The Senate passed a new DUI law this year that significantly increases penalties for those convicted of DUI. The bill established a tiered system of offenses and penalties. Those convicted of DUI for the first time face the possibility of increased jail time and fines. The new reform bill also removed many of the legal loopholes that have been exploited in the past by defense attorneys. Senator Larry Martin (R-Pickens) Chaired the Joint Legislative Conference Committee that hammered out the final agreement on the bill.
“The Senate took two major steps in strengthening the state’s DUI laws,” says Senator Martin. “First, the Senate removed the cumbersome requirement that officers provide multiple roadside warnings to those suspected of DUI. Second, the Senate created a tiered system for first-time offenders that increases penalties for people whose blood alcohol content is above .16.”
The Education Accountability Act became a big issue this session as legislators discussed the elimination of the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT). The ten-year-old test was scheduled to expire and educators wanted to replace the test, which they claim does not provide the individual assessments needed to benefit students. Senator Wes Hayes (R-York) shepherded the bill through the Senate.
“This is possibly the most important education bill that passed the General Assembly this session,” says Senator Hayes. “This bill makes some significant changes to the accountability system. Testing will not only measure how our schools and students are performing, but will provide teachers the diagnostic feedback needed to help individual students improve.”
Small businesses are now able to join together to form “Healthcare Cooperatives,” thanks in large part to the Senate Republican Caucus. The law allows a group of 10 or more industry-related, small businesses to join together for the purpose of purchasing group insurance, which often provides cheaper rates than can be negotiated by an individual business. Senator David Thomas (R-Greenville), Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, was one of the top advocates for the bill during the last two legislative sessions.
“This law will increase the affordability of health insurance for small business throughout South Carolina,” says Senator Thomas. “We need to do all we can to help small business be as competitive as possible, and this bill is a key step in that direction.”
The General Assembly is expected to return for no more than three legislative days between June 17 and 27, to consider gubernatorial vetoes, conference committee reports and a limited number of other items outlined in the Sine Die resolution.
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S.C. Senate OKs budget; McConnell gets $5 million more for Lowcountry schools
Filed Under Caucus, Leatherman, McConnell, Peeler, Rankin, Top News, ryberg2 | 2 Comments
The state Senate approved a $7 billion spending plan Wednesday after a 12-hour session that had coastal lawmakers sparring for cash and ended with promising state workers a 1 percent raise.
Final deals were reached just after 10 p.m. after Charleston and other Lowcountry legislators were promised millions to shore up spending for their schools, as well as more tourism promotion cash as soon as the economy turns around.
That cleared the way for the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 to head back to the House. A joint conference committee will work out final deals in the next few weeks amid fears a weak economy could prompt more spending reductions. Read more
Senate Passes State Budget
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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.
Senate Passes Candidate Voluntary Drug Testing Bill
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Columbia, SC – The South Carolina Senate today passed the Candidate Voluntary Drug Testing Program (S.1070). The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Senator Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee), provides guidelines for candidates to follow when submitting the results of a drug test with their candidate filing papers. The State Election Commission will publish the candidates full name, the office sought and the results of the test on its website, which will be available thirty days prior to the election and remain on the website for ninety days after the election.
“Today’s action is what I have been working for since I introduced the bill, and that is to have a system in place that allows candidates the opportunity to show the public they are drug free,” says Senator Peeler. “As potential candidates for office join this effort we will start to restore some of the trust that has been lost due to the unfortunate and irresponsible actions of a few.”
Prior to final passage of the bill, Senator Peeler offered a clarifying amendment that requires the testing be done by a physician and through a laboratory certified under the National Laboratory Certification Program to be considered valid. The drug test must screen for illegal substances commonly screened for individuals who perform safety sensitive functions for example commercial drivers.
The bill will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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