South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus

Legislators reacted mostly with approval Monday to the news that Clemson’s head football coach was leaving his job in the middle of the season, though some questioned the $3.5 million “orange parachute” buyout that will be paid to Tommy Bowden.

The buyout comes as Clemson and other state agencies face new budget cuts and at a time of national financial crisis that university President James Barker recently said could impact “every source of revenue” at Clemson and result in cuts that “will be felt.”

Reacting to Bowden’s departure, Rep. Harry Cato of Travelers Rest said, “It was time.” Read the rest of this entry »

By: Senator David Thomas

All over America, people are holding their breath, crossing their fingers, and saying prayers for economic health while hoping Congressional action and Wall Street’s failed financial institutions do not make matters worse.

Throughout this mess, the American people have not had an adequate explanation as to what caused the financial meltdown. If Washington wants to use our tax money to bailout Wall Street, they must first provide proper explanation.

As Chairman of South Carolina’s Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, I can tell you that this problem has been lingering for some time and that we do not need a “bailout” or a rescue plan, but instead fiscal fitness and a workout for Wall Street.

Read the rest of this entry »

South Carolina lawmakers today urged their colleagues to move quickly to take the necessary steps to allow offshore oil and gas drilling, if the federal ban expires as expected next week.

The calls for action came as Democratic leaders in Congress signaled they will not attempt to push legislation extending the ban, which has been in place since 1981. President Bush this summer lifted an executive ban on offshore drilling.

Even if the ban expires, however, officials and legislators said it will take time for the state to be approved for energy leases and to negotiate a share of royalties with the federal government. Read the rest of this entry »

A South Carolina Senate panel said Thursday it will examine how more than $7 billion in fees, fines and other special sources of money is being collected and spent by agenciesincreasingly depending on such charges to pay expenses.

The reviews include charges for restaurant inspections and birth and death records at the Department of Health and Environmental Control, voter files at the Election Commission and fishing and hunting permits at the Department of Natural Resources.

Sen. David Thomas, R-Greenville, who leads the panel, said fees, fines and other special charges have become the single biggest source of cash to run state agencies and programs. Read the rest of this entry »

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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The Senate has agreed to tougher restrictions on payday loans.

The bill requires lenders to check a borrower database and places a $500 limit on loans. It also bans multiple loans in a seven-day period.

Spartanburg Senator John Hawkins spent more than an hour Tuesday calling for a ban, saying the state can never contain the industry.

Fountain Inn Senator David Thomas says payday lenders provide a needed service. Read the rest of this entry »

Quote of the Week: “It’s all about accountability. 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.” Senator Kevin Bryant (R- Anderson), a co-sponsor of the Truth in Spending Bill (S.1144) introduced this week and vocal advocate of financial disclosure.
 
Vaughn to Retire at End of Term

After 18 years of service in the General Assembly, Senator Lewis Vaughn (R-Greenville) has decided not to seek re-election in November. “In September I had the best physical of my life, but since then a series of health related issues have arisen, and I don’t think it is fair to my family, my constituents or my colleagues to seek re-election in the fall,” says Senator Vaughn.

“The people of District 5 need and deserve active representation, and that is part of what brings me to this decision,” explains Vaughn.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the people of the Greer and Greenville community, and although I will not be seeking re-election, it is my intent to stay engaged in the issues facing the Upstate.”

Senator Vaughn was elected to the Senate in a 2006 special election to fill the seat left vacant by the retirement of J. Verne Smith. He serves as a member of the Corrections & Penology Committee, Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee, General Committee, Judiciary Committee, and the Rules Committee.
 
Drug Testing for Candidates Moves to Full Judiciary Committee

 A constitutional amendment (S.1070) requiring all future candidates for any elected office in South Carolina to pass a drug test began making its way through the legislative process this week by gaining approval from a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee.  The subcommittee chaired by Senator Jim Ritchie (R-13), Majority Whip, gave the bill a favorable report as amended.
 
The subcommittee amendment added judges to the list of officials that would be required to submit the results of a recently completed drug test along with candidate filing papers. The bill will now go before the full Senate Judiciary Committee, which is expected to meet again on Tuesday, February 26, 2008.
 
DUI Reform – Stronger Penalties for Repeat Offenders On Wednesday, February 20, the Senate debated DUI Reform (H.3496). The debate was highlighted with spirited exchanges on proposed amendments.
 
The Senate did pass the bill and returned it to the House with several key enhancements to current law including: the creation of a two-tiered system for first-time offenders; stronger penalties for increased blood alcohol levels; enhanced penalties for repeat offenders; and the elimination of unnecessary law enforcement procedures.
 
“I am proud of the work that the Senate did in quickly passing DUI reform,” says Senate President Pro Tempore, Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston).  “While the House wanted to convict all South Carolinians without being able to defend themselves, the Senate made it easier to convict those who are guilty while ensuring that the innocent were protected.  We showed that you can be tough on drunk driving without being tough on people’s rights.”
 
On Thursday, February 21, the bill was given third reading and sent over to the House.
 
Fire Sprinkler Bill Remains Hot as it Moves to Full Committee The Labor, Commerce and Industry Regulation Subcommittee working on the fire sprinkler legislation gave a favorable report to S.860 as amended during a meeting on Thursday, February 21.
 
The amendments to the bill included: preventing public or private utilities from charging exorbitant “tap-on” fees for sprinkler systems, and provides for an 80% cost of installation tax-credit for the installation of sprinkler systems in private residences not required by law.
 
The bill now heads to the full Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Regulations Committee.
 
Illegal Immigration Reform Moves to Conference Committee Last week the Senate completed final debate on the Illegal Immigration Reform Act (S.392) creating the strongest illegal immigration reform bill to be proposed in the General Assembly. The debate centered on the House amendments and the requirement of private businesses to verify legal status of new employees. After working out the details of these new provisions, the Senate sent the bill back to the House.
 
The House voted on Thursday, February 21, to “nonconcur” with the Senate’s latest amendments, which sends the bill to a conference committee. The committee will be comprised of three Senators and three members of the House. Conference committee meetings could begin as early as next week.
 
Payday Lending Regulated

On Tuesday, February 19, the Senate took up the “deferred presentment” bill (S.398), better known as the Payday Lending Bill.

The three-hour debate was filled with a volley of political maneuvers, one of which included an amendment that failed 18-23, to completely ban payday lending.
 
Ultimately, the Senate passed a bill with several major provisions including: the creation of a state-wide database; a seven-day cooling-off period between loans; limiting borrowers to only one loan at a time; maximum loan amounts based on income; and a standard calculation formula established by the Board of Financial institutions.
 
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.
 
SC HealthNet Introduced
On Tuesday, February 19, Senator David Thomas (R-Greenville), Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee introduced a bill (S.1129) that would create the South Carolina HealthNet, a pilot project initiative by the Department of Insurance. The project would provide basic health coverage to between 150 – 200 thousand of South Carolina’s working uninsured.  Premiums for this basic coverage plan are expected to be in the range of $165 for single coverage to $450 for family coverage. The plan would also contain annual coverage caps of $150,000 per person.
 
Proponents of SC HealthNet hope to secure grants, establish public-private partnerships, and collect premiums to help fund the effort, eliminating the need for taxpayer funding.
 
“The mission of SC HealthNet is to introduce a state program distributed through private carriers, which will make basic health insurance truly affordable,” says Scott Richardson, Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
 
The bill was referred to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
 
Spending Caps Study Committee Continues Work The Senate Spending Caps Study Committee met on Wednesday, February 20, and heard additional testimony from Dr. William Gillespie, the state’s Chief Economist, as well as updates from Senate legal counsel on the continued efforts to draft appropriate language for the constitutional amendment on spending caps and the statutory language outlining implementation of a spending cap.
 
The next meeting of the subcommittee is expected to take place in the next two weeks.
 
Truth In Spending Bill Introduced

Under the “Truth in Spending Act” (S.1144) introduced on Thursday, February 21, 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.
 
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 of a department.
 
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 a designated section of the Board’s website.
 
The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
 
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The Senate has agreed to tougher restrictions on payday loans.

The bill requires lenders to check a borrower database and places a $500 limit on loans. It also bans multiple loans in a seven-day period.

Spartanburg Senator John Hawkins spent more than an hour Tuesday calling for a ban, saying the state can never contain the industry. Read the rest of this entry »

The Post and Courier
By David Slade and Yvonne Wenger
Thursday, December 6, 2007
 

Water companies would be banned from charging extra fees to connect new fire sprinkler systems, and the state would encourage businesses to install sprinklers through a combination of tax credits and insurance discounts, under legislation proposed Wednesday in the state Senate.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell introduced the bill. His Charleston district includes the section of West Ashley where nine city firefighters were killed in June while fighting a blaze at the Sofa Super Store.

McConnell learned in the weeks following the fire, from reports in The Post and Courier, that it was the Charleston Water System’s policy to charge as much as $116,700 to connect a new sprinkler system to the utility’s waterlines. That’s when he first announced he would consider banning connection charges related to sprinkler systems, which are also levied by utilities in Summerville, Columbia, Greenville and other cities.

Read the rest of this entry »

Senator David Thomas of Greenville plans to propose a law to make lenders report more on the loans they grant. Said Thomas, “One of the things you additionally have to do is accumulate information with each of your clients that would categorize them racially and list their credit score.”

WSPA: Study Alleges Mortgage Discrimination High in Greenville
Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007 – 04:37 PM
By Heather Sullivan

While foreclosures on homes continue to rise across the country, two State Senators plan to hold a hearing tomorrow on a startling report.

The National Community Reinvestment Coaltion says Greenville is the tenth worst city in the country for racial discrimination in home loans. It says Charleston tops the list. What does this mean? The report says black families often end up in more expensive home loans than similar white families.

But banking and mortgage associations say federal regulation prevent lenders from discriminating and the study’s numbers don’t reveal the whole picture.

Read the rest of this entry »

The following op-ed by Senators David Thomas and Joel Lourie ran today in The State newspaper. It discusses the passage of Ryan’s Law, the legislation recently passed requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for children with autism.

Read the rest of this entry »