South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus

The RNC released the official list of those serving on the PLATFORM COMMITTEE today. As I mentioned yesterday, I am the Co-Chair for the “Protecting Our Families, Preserving Our Values Subcommittee.” The subcommittee is being Chaired by Pennsylvania State Senator Jane Orie. She serves the 40th Senatorial District in Pennsylvania.

Just to give you an idea of how the process works. The PLATFORM COMMITTEE will produce the overall PLATFORM for 2008. Each subcommittee has the responsibility of producing resolutions that will be adopted to make up the PLATFORM. C-SPAN2 carried some of the committee hearings live.

U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) is the PLATFORM Committee Co-Chairman. I had a chance to speak with him earlier today, and he was kind enough to pose for the photo above.

One thing I have noticed is a growing enthusiasm among those working on the PLATFORM committee and it is spreading through everyone here. It seems that we are building momentum at a good time, as we head into the convention.

Here are a couple of highlights from the subcommittee’s work. I think most socially conservative Republicans will be pleased with the direction the PLATFORM is heading. A few topics discussed during the subcommittee included: law enforcement, rights of religious people in the market place, sanctity of human life and traditional marriage. We also had a couple of notable conservative Constitutional lawyers on our subcommittee: Jim Bopp from Indiana and Kelly Shackleford from Texas. We were very fortunate to have such a strong subcommittee.

I will say I personally feel the statements concerning the sanctity of human life are stronger than they have been in the past.

Overall, I think the work from our subcommittee will be well received by Republicans everywhere.

Look for more updates later.

Senator Mike Fair

Welcome to a behind the scenes blog about the Republican National Convention. For most of the world the convention will start on September 1st, when the major networks begin their broadcast coverage, but in reality committee work begins this week (Monday, August 25), and I will be serving on the Platform Committee. In fact, I am a Co-Chair on the Protecting Families and Values sub-committee. I also served on the Platform Committee in 2004.

I am just now arriving in Minneapolis – St. Paul. My wife, Judy, and I are attending our 5th Republican National Convention.

In the days ahead I will try to keep you informed about the work being done by the committee and next week I will continue my convention blog with personal stories and views from the convention.

Unitl next time –
Senator Mike Fair

WILL SPEND NEXT THREE MONTHS KNOCKING ON DOORS TO SPREAD MESSAGE OF REFORM

(Edgefield, SC) – State Senator Shane Massey was elected last year by knocking on over 10,000 doors to spread his message of shaking things up in Columbia. Shane has come through on that commitment by working to uncover secret pork barrel spending, forcing drunk drivers off the streets, and pushing the toughest illegal immigration bill in the nation. In his short time in the State Senate, Shane has become known as one of South Carolina’s hardest working legislators in his fight to change the status quo.

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POST AND COURIER

COLUMBIA — A big announcement coming today is intended to turn around South Carolina’s economy and get more people working.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, both Charleston Republicans, are scheduled to unveil a plan at the South Carolina Employment Security Commission alongside other legislative leaders, researchers, academics and private businessmen.

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by Senator Shane Massey

Someone recently wrote in to a local news publication, claiming that I was one of only 12 senators who voted against having the Lord’s Prayer in schools. The comment and vote require a response to clear up any confusion.

The vote in question was on an amendment to a bill that would allow state and local governments to post a display of the “Foundations of American Law and Government.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee decided on a display to include the Ten Commandments, the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Star-Spangled Banner, the Bill of Rights, the Preamble to the South Carolina Constitution, the national motto “In God We Trust,” and the image of Lady Justice. Why these historical items? Two U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal have already ruled this exact display (minus the S.C. Constitution’s preamble, of course) satisfies the First Amendment.

Although the bill successfully made it through the committee process, a group of Democratic senators was determined to kill the bill, primarily because it included the Ten Commandments. When the bill came up for debate on the Senate floor, these Democratic senators offered several amendments in an attempt to prevent passage. The most clever “poison pill” was Senator Brad Hutto’s amendment to include the Lord’s Prayer in the display.

The proposed “Foundations of American Law and Government” display bill is constitutional. Senator Hutto knew that if he included a purely religious document, the entire bill became constitutionally suspect. He also thought that it would be extremely difficult for Republican senators to vote against the Lord’s Prayer.

However, the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Palmetto Family Alliance, both strong backers of the legislation, publicly opposed the Lord’s Prayer amendment because they knew it was designed to destroy the bill.

When the vote came on the amendment, I voted “no” because I wanted to ensure that our local governments have a means of displaying the Ten Commandments and other foundational documents. Unfortunately, Senator Hutto succeeded; the amendment passed because too many senators were scared of being seen voting against the Lord’s Prayer. Consequently, the bill, which ultimately passed with amendments, is now certain to be challenged as an unconstitutional establishment of religion.

When I campaigned for the Senate last year, I argued that we needed to change the status quo in Columbia – shake things up – and I said I would work hard, get involved, and do my best. I honestly believe I have fulfilled those commitments.

While many senators are comfortable just being in the Senate, I got involved and worked hard on legislation to strengthen our DUI laws, combat illegal immigration, tighten restrictions on payday lending, and make our state more business friendly so we can recruit good, high-paying jobs. I have done my best to keep citizens informed through monthly guest editorials and 18 “Neighborhood Chats” (so far) around the district. Most importantly, I have always been available to communicate with you by phone or e-mail because serving you is my primary job.

We have serious issues affecting us as South Carolinians: the economy, health care, education, and yes, the good ol’ boy status quo that continues to hold us back. We will be talking about those issues and more in the coming months. In the meantime, if you have a question about one of my votes or a position I hold, just ask. Send me an email (shanemassey@scsenate.org), give me a call (803-480-0419), or just pull me aside when you see me.

Leadership needed to combat SC’s Record Unemployment Rate

(Columbia, SC) – Tomorrow, Legislative and Economic Development Industry leaders will hold a press conference at the South Carolina Employment Security Commission to unveil a plan for South Carolina’s future economic success and job creation plan.

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THE STATE

S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell and USC president-elect Harris Pastides are among the state leaders who will unveil an economic plan Tuesday they say will create more jobs.

The group will hold an 11:30 a.m. news conference at the Employment Security Commission in Columbia to provide details.

Unemployment in S.C. was 6.2 percent in June, down from May’s 6.5 percent rate, which was the highest monthly unemployment rate in 2008.

The state’s unemployment rate is above the 5.5 percent national average.

SC POLITICS TODAY
7/28/08

Immigration bill 4400
South Carolina became the fifth state in the nation to pass broad illegal immigration reform with the stroke of Gov. Mark Sanford’s pen Wednesday.

The new law — the hallmark of this legislative session — is being touted as the toughest in the United States. Legislators said they studied the laws and lessons from Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and Oklahoma, and incorporated what worked, improved what didn’t and added a number of new provisions.

“This puts South Carolina in the forefront of where all states are on immigration reform,” said Sanford, who was joined by about 20 legislators for the bill signing. Read the rest of this entry »

Quote of the Week – “We are now going to be able to reassert the rule of law that has been abdicated by the federal government. It is their responsibility, but they have abdicated enforcing federal law and we are reasserting that rule of law at the state level to the greatest extent that we can.”

Senator Chip Campsen (R-Charleston) commenting on the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act passed this week by the General Assembly.

Immigration Reform Passes General Assembly (Thursday, May 29)

The General Assembly this week approved the nation’s most comprehensive illegal immigration reform bill (H.4400). The bill requires all businesses to use the federal E-verify system or a valid South Carolina driver’s license to confirm the legal immigration status of new hires. Worker verification became the lighting rod issue in the session-long debate on illegal immigration reform.

The final bill, agreed to this week, was the result of negotiations between Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston) and House Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston). “This is going to be the toughest bill in the United States,” says Senator McConnell. “This is a comprehensive bill that deals with public benefits, ID fraud and a host of other issues. When you take the entire matrix of this bill and put it out there and start engaging in conduct that violates this law you are in for some rough sledding.”

The bill has been sent to the governor’s office for his signature, which he has suggested he will do in recent comments released to the press.

218th Brigadier General Addresses Senate (Thursday, May 29)

The South Carolina Senate was honored this week to hear from returning Brigadier General Robert Livingston Jr. The Senate, in a rare move, allowed the commander of South Carolina’s 218th Brigade Combat Team to speak from the podium on the Senate floor, an honor typically reserved only for senators. After receiving multiple standing ovations and reporting on the success of the 218th in Afghanistan, General Livingston presented a plaque to the Senate expressing gratitude for its support of the combat team.

Bills Headed to the Governor’s Desk

The following bills have been ratified, or are enrolled for ratification, and will next be sent to the governor’s office for his consideration:

H. 3159 – Historical Documents (enrolled) – allows for certain historical documents to be displayed in public buildings.

H.4662 – Education Accountability Act (ratified) – eliminates PACT test, establishes new ratings for schools performing below expectations, as well as other changes.

S.1329 – I Believe License Plate (ratified) – allows for creation of a new specialty license plate.

H.4900 – Cigarette Ignition Propensity (ratified) – sets new standards for an unattended cigarette’s ability to ignite surrounding material.

S.1022 – Critical Needs Nursing Fund (ratified) – provides for development of a fund to help in the retention of nurses.

S.104 – Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Board (ratified) – establishes advisory board to coordinate South Carolina’s commemoration of the Civil War.

Bills On the Contested Calendar

Two bills that are being closely watched, received key second readings this week, but the bills were later placed on the Senate’s contested calendar. The bills are:

H.4538 – the “Government Accountability Act”, which establishes guidelines for legislative oversight of state agencies, and

H.3202 – a Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing the rights of hunting and fishing.

Budget Vetoes Returned to the House (Wednesday, May 28)

Governor Mark Sanford returned to the House of Representatives, 69 vetoes to the 2008-2009 General Appropriations bill. The House began consideration of the vetoes on Thursday, May 29 and is expected to continue consideration on Tuesday, June 3. Since the bill originated in the House, the Senate will only be able to consider vetoes the House votes to override.

DPS Director Nomination Goes Before Full Senate (Tuesday, May 27)

The Senate Judiciary Committee, by a vote of 19-0, gave a favorable recommendation this week to Major Mark A. Keel, the governor’s nominee to be the next director of the Department of Public Safety. The confirmation hearing took almost three hours, during which time Major Keel was asked numerous questions about recent videos that have surfaced related to the conduct of highway patrol officers. The nomination will now go before the full Senate for final consideration.

Major Keel is currently serving as the Assistant Director and Assistant Chief at the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), where he has served since August of 1979.

Sprinkler Bill Returns to House (Thursday, May 29)

The Senate this week gave key approval to a bill (H.4470) that will provide tax credits to homeowners who voluntarily install sprinkler systems in their home. The bill only allows for the tax credits if current law does not require the installation of sprinklers. The measure will now return to the House of Representatives, which could concur with the Senate amendments or make final changes.

COLUMBIA — A Greenville senator introduced legislation Thursday that would allow teachers to discuss alternative theories to evolution.
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Sen. Mike Fair, a Greenville Republican, said in a statement the bill wouldn’t advocate any point of view or preclude any theory.

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A second Republican lawmaker is calling on the Democratic state schools chief to take the lead in eliminating the annual testing program for elementary and middle school students and replace it with new exams that do a better job measuring academic achievement.

State Sen. Kevin L. Bryant of Anderson sent Jim Rex a letter Friday urging the superintendent to marshal a switch in tests with the help of two politically appointed panels that oversee public education. Bryant also posted the letter on his web site.

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There is something about camels and kisses that gives one an uneasy feeling. I’ve seen movies with Bedouins leading their camels across the Sahara. There has been an occasional National Geographic special which featured camels and their unique physiology which allows them to live in the driest of conditions and face sandstorms that howl for hours. But I’ve never seen a romantic video with camel smooches.

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