Feds back away from REAL ID threats

The federal Department of Homeland Security has given S.C. an extension on complying with its new standards for issuing driver's licenses just hours after Gov. Mark Sanford said the state would not comply.

The decision means S.C. residents won't be subjected to extra security screenings when boarding airplanes or entering federal buildings. Noncompliance would have meant South Carolinians traveling domestically would have to either have a passport or endure extra security screenings.

Senate committee passes cigarettee tax hike

A Senate subcommittee has approved a 50-cent per pack increase to the state's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax.

The tax increase would raise $158 million, to be used for individuals and small businesses to purchase health insurance.
Lawmakers and staff are still working out the final details and said they do not yet know exactly how much the health insurance tax credit will be.

Sanford: State won't comply with REAL ID

READ SANFORD'S LETTER

Gov. Mark Sanford said today the state will not comply with the federal Department of Homeland Security's standards for state-issued driver's licenses and IDs. The decision means S.C. residents could be subjected to extra security screenings when boarding airplanes or entering federal buildings.

Sanford to announce REAL ID decision today

READ SANFORD'S LETTER

Gov. Mark Sanford will at 11 a.m. announce his decision on whether to seek an extension to comply with federal Homeland Security standards on state-issued ID cards. Compliance would spare S.C. travelers from extra security scrutiny at airports and federal buildings.

Sanford to announce REAL ID decision Monday

Gov. Mark Sanford will announce Monday his decision on whether he will ask federal authorities for an extension to comply with new security rules for driver's licenses and other state-issued IDs.

The REAL ID program is run by the federal Department of Homeland Security and its goal is to make ID cards tamperproof to fight fraud and terrorism.

S.C. has not complied with all of the REAL ID requirements. Sanford must apply for an extension by Monday. Sanford and the General Assembly have resisted full compliance with REAL ID, citing costs and concerns S.C. citizens' personal information might not be protected.

If S.C. doesn't get an extension, travelers from this state who  board airplanes would be subject to extra security.

No vote on alcohol for soldiers under 21

A House subcommittee took no action on a bill that would have allowed military personnel younger than 21 to buy beer and wine in S.C.

The state's legal drinking age is 21. But Rep. Fletcher Smith, D-Greenville, introduced the measure that would relax the law for military personnel, citing an elevated level of maturity among young members of the armed forces.

Strippers would have to keep their distance

A House subcommittee today passed a bill that would put some distance between strip club patrons and exotic dancers. Dancers could not come within 6 feet of customers under a bill that will now go to the full House Judicial Committee.

Strip clubs and other sexually oriented businesses would not be able to operate between midnight and 6 a.m., according to the bill.

Rep. Scott Talley, R-Spartanburg, who introduced the bill, said restricting when sexually oriented businesses can operate would cut down on early morning crime -- drugs, assaults, property crimes -- he said is common at strip clubs. 

Study says broadband access widespread in S.C.

About 94 percent of S.C. households have access to broadband technology. That's the result of a study conducted by the national nonprofit, Connected Nation, for a Senate panel.

Meeting on ban of students-teacher sex canceled

A Senate Judiciary Committee meeting that was supposed to take up a bill making sex between students and school employees illegal was canceled this morning.

The bill, which has made it through the House, would punish all sex between students under 19 and school employees.

Lawmakers agree to wait on smoking ban

A House panel  Tuesday stalled a statewide smoking ban in restaurants and bars. Lawmakers including Rep. Garry Smith said they want to wait and see how the state Supreme Court rules on a smoking ban in Greenville before lawmakers take action.

Several local governments have enacted local bans including Sullivan's Island and Columbia. Columbia leaders are not enforcing the ban until the court rules.

Taxpayers saved $58,000 when House took week off

Congratulations to S.C taxpayers. They saved $58,000 last week because members of the House were on their annual vacation.

"And lawmakers got to spend time with their families which is always good," said House Speaker Bobby Harrell.

Lawmakers earn $10,400 annually. South Carolina has one of the nation's longest legislative sessions, Harrell said.

Graham promises to help House members

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has promised to work on behalf on any incumbent House members facing opposition in June's primary. Graham spoke to House and Senate Republicans this morning.

Graham said Republicans need to be united to defeat enthusiastic Democrats this fall, and that House Republicans have done a good job and earned his support.

A former House member from Seneca, Graham said he disagrees with Gov. Mark Sanford, who believes lawmakers have stood in the way of needed reform in S.C.

House could make concealed weapons list secret

Members of the House are expected today to debate whether the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) should restrict access to its list of concealed weapon permit holders.

Currently, there are about 60,000 South Carolinians who have undergone background checks and at least eight hours of training to receive a permit from SLED.

Senate to take up REAL ID

Senators are talking up a resolution that urges Gov. Mark Sanford to comply with the federal REAL ID program, as noncompliance will mean S.C. travelers will face increased scrutiny at airports.

The state has until the end of the month to tell the Department of Homeland Security that South Carolina will change its state-issued IDs to meet Homeland Security's standard.

Sanford has argued the program is too costly and S.C. already meets most of the federal standards. Sanford said issuing a driver's license would cost drivers $60 if S.C. adopts REAL ID.

Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, says he has asked the attorney general to bring a lawsuit challenging the Real ID law.

Common law marriage in trouble

The Senate adjourned debate Wednesday on a bill to end common law marriage in S.C., the proponents of a bill to end the practice in the state unable, and unwilling, to stop what senators called "a country club filibuster."

The move makes survival of the bill this session less likely.

Water bill postponed by committee

Chances dimmed Wednesday that a bill intended to protect rivers from excessive withdrawals will pass the Legislature this year.

For the second consecutive week, the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources committee failed to agree on the bill that requires new industries to get state permits to withdraw large amounts of water.

                              

Chaining all pets would draw fine under Senate bill

A Senate bill that makes it illegal to tether a dog for more than three hours a day was expanded Wednesday to include all animals.

Bill extending rural sewer services gets approval

The Senate moved a step closer to allowing rural community water districts to provide sewage collection services Wednesday, but some problems remain.

Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, said if the districts are allowed to provide sewer services, it must be done consistent with existing land use plans, noting that sewer services can have a dramatic impact on development.

Fire sprinklers bill stalled

A key Senate committee could not reach agreement Wednesday on a high-profile bill designed to give state income tax credits to cover a portion of the expenses it would cost to install or improve fire protection sprinkler systems.

Sanford asks FEMA to assess storm damage

Gov. Mark Sanford requested Wednesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assess the damage caused by this weekend's tornadoes. The assessment is the first step  toward a presidential disaster declaration and federal aid for those affected by the storm. The National Weather Service has said 17 tornadoes touched down across the state, causing millions of dollars in property damage

Graham names steering committee

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham released the names of roughly 1,000 grassroots activists and community leaders who will serve on the statewide Steering Committee for Graham's reelection campaign.

 

Clyburn to speak to Orangeburg Dems

U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn will speak to the Orangeburg County Democratic Convention Thursday.

Sanford's chief of staff resigns; mulls Senate race

Gov. Mark Sanford's chief of staff resigned his post Tuesday evening and plans to make a run at Catherine Ceips' state Senate seat.

Tom Davis, 47, a partner at downtown Beaufort law firm Harvey and Battey and a key architect of both of Sanford's gubernatorial campaigns, said though he hasn't filed his election forms, he fully expects to run for the District 46 Senate seat that represents most of Beaufort County.

"If all goes well and as planned, I suspect I'll be telling you in a couple of days that I've filed to run for the seat," Davis said Tuesday, less than a half an hour after packing up his Columbia office. "I believe I'm going to run for office, and it's my intention to do that."

10 more candidates file for primary races

WHO’S RUNNING?

A list of candidates in Richland, Lexington and Kershaw counties who filed to run in the June 10 primaries on Tuesday. Filing opened March 17 and ends March 30.

Kershaw

House Dist. 79 — David Herndon (R)

Lexington

Treasurer — Jim Eckstrom (R), incumbent

Richland

Senate Dist. 19 — John Scott (D)
Senate Dist. 22 — Joel Lourie (D), incumbent
House Dist. 71 — Nathan Ballentine (R), incumbent
House Dist. 79 — David Herndon (R)
House Dist. 80 — Chris Hart (D), incumbent; Mary Basker Kirkland (D)
County Council Dist 2 — Joyce Dickerson (D), incumbent
County Council Dist. 7 — Kiba Anderson (D)
County Council Dist. 10 — Kelvin Washington (D)
Clerk of Court — Barbara Scott (D), incumbent

Sanford teams with others to urge DUI reform

Gov. Mark Sanford, 7th Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy and Beaufort Sheriff P.J. Tanner called on lawmakers to pass both DUI reform and a crackdown on illegal immigration.

Sanford pushes DUI, immigration reforms

Gov. Mark Sanford will call for the passage of tougher DUI laws and a crackdown on illegal immigration in a news conference scheduled for Tuesday.

Pro-cigarette tax group launches ad campaign

A coalition of public health organizations have launched a newspaper and radio campaigned aimed at raising South Carolina's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax.

The S.C. Legislature is considering a plan to raise its 7 cents a pack tax rate to 45 cents a pack.

House passes spending plan

The House has passed a $7 billion spending plan that will cut most state agencies by 2.5 percent and will take more than $100 million for a Medicaid reserve account to balance the budget.

House rejects bid to punish courts for bar exam flap

The House has rejected a proposal to withhold money from the Judicial Department until the agency publicly releases a report on how lawyers and judges are disciplined.

Senate considers letting 16-year-olds take GED

A Senate education panel considering whether to offer the GED to 16-year-olds decided Wednesday it needed more information before moving the proposal forward.

Right now, S.C. students are prevented from taking the high school equivalency exam until they turn 17, unless they wind up at the Department of Juvenile Justice.

House adds money to budget for rural roads

The House has approved its first major change to the state budget, shifting $1 million to help build roads, utility lines and other rural infrastructure.

Education proposal shot down in budget debate

The House has rejected two education-related amendments to the state budget.

The first would cap bonuses given to nationally board-certified teachers at 10 years. The second would provide a cash reward to students who finish high school early.

House discusses $2,000 for early graduates

House members argued over but ultimately rejected an amendment to the state budget that would have given public school students who graduate from high school in three years a check for $2,000.

Drug testing candidates closer to becoming law

A key Senate committee moved Tuesday to make drug testing mandatory for all candidates seeking elective public office.

The bill, passed easily by the Senate Judiciary Committee, but only after considerable debate, requires candidates for elective office to submit to a drug screen within 35 days of their election.

Anderson will seek Aiken Senate seat

An Edgefield attorney said Tuesday he will challenge newly-elected Republican Sen. Shane Massey for the District 25 Senate seat he narrowly won in November.

Confederate flag, Tillman in budget debate

The House has begun debate again this afternoon on the $7 billion state budget, after moving through much of the spending plan with little controversy this morning.

Among the big items that Republican and Democratic leadership are expecting are separate amendments that would raise the state's cigarette and gasoline taxes.

In addition, members are expecting proposals that would remove the Confederate Battle flag and the Ben Tillman statue from the State House grounds.

Graham hits airwarves in re-election campaign

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has hit the airwaves with his first radio ad of the campaign season.

The ad features President George W. Bush and others offering praise of Graham's service in the Senate.

LISTEN TO THE AD

Schweitzer touts Highway Patrol's improvements

Department of Public Safety director James Schweitzer praised his agency's improvement Tuesday, but did not apologize for an incident involving a trooper using a racial slur that led him to step down two weeks ago.

Governor has no plans to comply with ID law

State officials said Tuesday they have no plans to comply with new federal identification standards, and that South Carolina's current ID meets most of the new requirements.

At Gov. Mark Sanford's cabinet meeting, Department of Motor Vehicles director Marcia Adams noted that South Carolina meets 16 of the 18 benchmarks that the new federal rules, known as Real ID, establish.

Sanford to comment on budget, swear in Lloyd

Gov. Mark Sanford will discuss the state budget and swear in new SLED chief Reggie Lloyd at his monthly cabinet meeting Tuesday.

Sanford to Senate: Deliver on restructuring

Gov. Mark Sanford is calling on the S.C. Senate to "act quickly" on the government restructuring bill passed by the House that will give the governor authority to appoint three constitutional officers who are now elected.

The House bill would allow voters to decide if they want to continue electing the state Superintendent of Education and the Secretary of State or to have future governors appoint those positions. The House bill would also let voters decide whether future lieutenant governors would be separately elected, or run on the same ticket as future governors.

Gas tax hike proposed in the House

A House lawmaker has proposed raising the state's gas tax by a nickle a gallon, in exchange for eliminating the sales tax on cars.
The proposal was offered by Rep. Rex Rice during debate on a bill to use some car sales tax revenue to pay for road improvements.
The House Ways and Means committee adjourned without voting on the proposal. They will take it up again later today.

Sanford says immigration bill falls short

Gov Mark Sanford, who has called on the Legislature to send him a bill cracking down on illegal immigration, said the bill before a House-Senate conference committee lacks teeth.

Sanford wants tougher penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Comply with federal ID law, House to ask governor

The House has introduced a measure asking Gov. Mark Sanford to request an extension to implement new federal identification standards.

The rules, known as Real ID, are meant to make state IDs more secure and uniform. If South Carolina does not comply with the law or request an extension, then state resident would need a passport or other federally-issued ID to fly, open a bank account and other other transactions.

Bill for voters to prove citizenship debated

A House panel will resume debate Wednesday on requiring residents to prove citizenship when they register to vote.

The bill requires a person to present a valid passport, birth certificate or naturalization papers when they register.

Proponents argued Tuesday the measure will help ensure illegal immigrants do not vote although they knew of no incidences in the state where that had occurred.

Opponents say the bill adds new barriers to voting, particularly for minority, rural and low income residents.

S.C. Democratic chair backs Obama

Carol Fowler, chairman of the S.C. Democratic Party, and a super delegate has pledged to support U.S. Sen. Barack Obama. Fowler, married to former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler, is supporting the Illinois presidential hopeful while her husband is supporting U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Lawmaker guns, Election Day liquor sales on agenda

The House Judiciary Committee is considering bills this afternoon that would allow lawmakers with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms on State House grounds, lift a prohibition on selling liquor on Election Day and ban smoking in teacher lounges  in  public schools.

The House Judiciary Committee will meet 1 1/2 hours after the House, which convened at noon, adjourns.

Restructuring bill in limbo as debate ends

The S.C. House is struggling to find enough votes among its members to approve a wholesale government restructuring plan.

The House debated the bill shortly today on the floor without resolution.

Web site shows how state government spends

A state database detailing agency spending is now online.
The Web site, created by Gov. Mark Sanford in an executive order, lists itemized agency spending by month, as well as year-to-date agency spending by categories of spending. The site, at https://ssl.sc.gov/SpendingTransparency, is available to the public and the data can be downloaded.

For instance, according to the database, the Lieutenant Governor's office reported $1,782 of in-state mileage for its employees in October. The report also shows how much each employee received for mileage.