Land takes floor to filibuster immigration bill

S.C. Senate is in recess after Sen. John Land began a filibuster to an immigration bill the Senate is attempting to pass.

Both the House and Senate have voted on immigration bills that require employers to take additional steps in verifying whether the workers they hire are in the United States legally.

But a conference committee appointed to ironing out the differences in the bill has not been able to agree on a final version.

The Senate has drafted a new bill and added it to a House bill that essentially gives the General Assembly a way out of its stalemate.

But Land, D-Clarendon, said the Senate's immigration bill would hurt farmers in his district.

McConnell: Going home early not an option

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell said Wednesday there is an abundance of legislation yet to be passed this year, and he discounted early adjournment unless the General Assembly finishes its business.

Sanford holding 4 after 4 today

Gov. Mark Sanford will hold another series of 'Open Door After 4' meetings today. Any individual can have a private, five-minute meeting with the governor in his office to discuss whatever issues are on their minds.

Individuals wishing to sign up for one of these meetings should call the Governor's Office at (803) 734-1999.

Broadband bill delayed

A bill that would take state-owned broadcast licenses to create a wireless Internet cloud across South Carolina has been delayed in the House.

The bill would create study committee that would explore leasing the licenses, owned by ETV, to a telecommunications company that can create a statewide Wi-Max network.

Wi-Max technology is considered by many industry experts to be the next generation of Internet technology, that some estimate would be 10 times faster than high-speed wired Internet connections.

ETV would like the network to be available to K-12 schools, colleges and other research institutions.

Earmarks bill approved by House

The House has approved a bill that would end the practice of lawmakers being able to make anonymous budget requests known as earmarks.

The bill would require lawmakers to fill out a form when making budget requests, thus identifying which lawmaker is asking for money.

Earmark reform had been a priority for the General Assembly coming into this session as a means of limiting the number of pet projects lawmakers can work into the budget.

Clyburn pops up, unexpectedly, at the White House

House Majority Whip James Clyburn came up during a press conference today with President Bush.

April Ryan, a Radio One reporter covering the White House, told the president of an earlier conversation she had with Clyburn where he argued  consumers believing there is a recession is as damaging to the economy as an actual recession. Ryan asked the presiden what it will take for him to say we are in a recession.

Here's a transcript of the exchange.

Session could end early, Harrell says

Lawmakers are discussing ending this year's legislative session early.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said he favors the idea, but added he is not sure the House and Senate can finish their work.

The session is scheduled to end June 5th.

S.C. Club for Growth endorses three candidates

The South Carolina Club for Growth has endorsed a third batch of candidates, many of whom are challenging incumbents in Republican primaries.

Senate passes bill on Sunday wine sales

A bill that would allow Sunday sales of wine on the premises where wine is produced was approved by the Senate.

The bill would allow vineyards to hold wine tastings on Sunday.

DeMint launches new Web site

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-Greenville, has launched a new Web site accessible through his Senate Web page that will list news and information about constituent services.

DeMint's new site

“The Internet has changed a great deal since we launched our first site in 2005, so we’ve made a complete revision,” DeMint said. “This new site uses the latest technology to keep people up to date on my efforts in the Senate to strengthen our nation. I'm also proud of the new regional blogs that will better connect people with what our office is doing around the state. I hope the Web site becomes a regular destination and a valuable resource for people in South Carolina.”

Barrett wants to protect bloggers

Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-Westminster, in a Tuesday conference call talked about the need to treat blogs more like the mainstream media.

Barrett is a co-sponsor of the Blogger Protection Act, which would, most significantly, free not-for-profit blogs from federal campaign rules.

Blogs linking to campaign Web sites and taking a position in favor or against candidates had been until recently considered to have made a contribution to a candidate. The Federal Election Commission changed that regulation. Barrett wants to protect blogs by law.

"(The bill) would extend protection you have under regulations in some sort of statute form," Barrett said.

Blogs, Barrett said, are "more and more important" in helping average citizens get their voices heard. The bill, H.5699, is in committee.

Quote of the Day so far: Jake Knotts

"So you mean to tell me that if the Sunset Grille, right over here in Lexington County, has dishes stacked up and wants to hire a dishwasher they have to go to the (S.C.) Employment Security         Commission first?"

                                -- Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, expressing concern the proposed immigration bill that would require employers to verify citizenship before hiring through an online system would be inconvenienced.

House Dems take stand on immigration bill

House Democrats say they have  a message for their Republican counterparts: no free conference powers on immigration.

Minority Leader Harry Ott Tuesday put Caucus members on notice asking them not to vote to give Republican conferees the power to "re-write the immigration bill."

"If we stick together, we can keep that from happening," said Ott, D-Calhoun.

Anti-abortion group endorses Graham

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has picked up the endorsement of S.C. Citizens for Life, a political action committee committed to electing federal lawmakers who oppose abortion rights.

It is the second endorsement Graham has received this week. The National Rifle Association has also given its endorsement to the first-term senator.

Graham, a Seneca Republican, is facing Lexington dentist Dr. Buddy Witherspoon in the June 10 S.C. primary for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. 

Immigration squabbling continues

The House and Senate have continued their squabbling over passing stricter state requirements against hiring illegal aliens.
While there are disagreements over the bills, the main dispute has been parliamentary procedure.

The bill requires "free conference" powers to reach a compromise, allowing negotiators leeway to script a new version in conference committee. Free conference requires a two-thirds majority, a hurdle neither house might be able to clear.

No wage garnishment for student loans

A bill that would have allowed lenders to garnish the wages of student loan holders has been sent back to committee by the House, meaning it is likely dead for the session.

The bill was sent back to the Judiciary Committee

Drug tests of commercial drivers would go to DMV

Commercial drivers would have their drug test results reported to the state Department of Motor Vehicles under a bill the House approved Thursday.

Drivers who test positive would be subject to suspension.  Right now, third party drug screeners report required drug tests of drivers to trucking companies.

Under this bill, those results would also go to the DMV. 

Sanford takes to the road to decry budget

Gov. Mark Sanford will visit small businesses in Florence and Greer Thursday to discuss the the state budget, according to a news release from Sanford's office.

Sanford said the release lawmakers have "proposed taking money from the Medicaid program, economic development efforts, money set aside for retirees, and the Department of Corrections -- all while keeping a legislative slush fund in place."

Investigation into Orangeburn Massacre dies

A bill that would have established a committee to review the events surrounding the 1968 Orangeburg Massacre was again turned back by the House.

The bill would have given subpoena power to a panel appointed by lawmakers and the governor to look into the shooting deaths of three Orangeburg youths on the campus of S.C. State University. The youths were protesting the segregation policy of a local bowling alley when they were fired upon by S.C. Highway Patrolmen.   

Illegal immigrants won't get scholarships under bill

The House gave a second approval to a bill that would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving state-funded scholarships.

Most S.C. college students receive one of the half dozen  state-funded scholarships the state allots on merit. Needy students can also qualify for state funded grants.

The bill would disqualify anyone who cannot verify legal citizenship from getting state aid.

Sanford backs Shealy in Lexington Senate race

Gov. Mark Sanford has waded into a Lexington County Republican  battle, endorsing the former county GOP chairwoman over incumbent Sen. Jake Knotts.

HIV disclosure bill will be taken up May 7

The House will take up a bill May 7 that would eliminate the requirement that school superintendents and nurses be notified if a student has HIV/AIDS. Tuesday, the House adjourned debate until May.

Advocates of the bill say the disclosure is stigmatizing and violates privacy rights.  Others argue disclosing who is HIV-positive is needed to protect students from being infected.

House agrees to strip Budget and Control of some duties

The House voted 111-0 Tuesday to create a new department, the Department of Administration, and move some state departments currently controlled by the state Budget and Control Board under the new department.

The governor would appoint the head of the new Department of Administration. If both Houses agree to this structural change, it would be a victory for Gov. Mark Sanford and his quest to give the governor's office more power over state government.

Graham: S.C. airports to get $6.7 million from feds

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham today announced more than $6.7 million in federal grants for airports in Barnwell, Charleston, Chester, Florence,

Greenwood, Lee, Horry, and Newberry counties.

The money will go toward making parking, terminal and runway improvements.

 

Senate debating tax reforms

The state Senate is debating a bill that would study the state's tax structure.

The bill would create a BRAC-style tax commission that will look at which mix of taxes -- sales taxes, property taxes and income taxes -- are best able to sustain stable revenues, keep S.C. competitive with other states and fund schools equitably.

Senators were debating how much power the commission would have to suggest changes to tax structure and what proportion of the Senate would have to agree to a suggested change to make it law.

House Dems oppose ID portion of immigration bill

House Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-Calhoun, said Tuesday he opposes a House conference committee's attempt to negotiate a deal on immigration that is based on language that does appear in the bill passed by the House of Representatives.

During the Democratic Caucus meeting Tuesday, Ott said  most caucus members voted for the House bill, which incorporates use of the I-9 regulations for identification of workers by employers, but they have not voted in favor of the House conferees' attempts to substitute use of  other forms of identification such as driver's licenses to ensure a worker's correct  legal status.

Miss S.C. contestants at the General Assembly

The General Assembly got an infusion of grace, class and beauty today. Women running for Miss South Carolina visited both the House and Senate today.

No contraceptives for deer, under bill

A bill has received key House approval prohibiting the use of fertility control agents to limit the number of deer and other wildlife.

Bill proponents say the bill's purpose is to ensure hunters have enough wildlife to shoot.

Exceptions can be granted by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

Scott back in Senate after weekend arrest

Sen. Randy Scott of Dorchester was back in the Senate chamber Tuesday, after a weekend arrest  on driving under the influence charges.

Authorities said Scott failed a series of sobriety tests, but Scott's attorneys said the traffic stop was politically motivated.

Scott entered the Chamber Tuesday and raised both arms above his head, not as if he were under arrest, but more as if claiming victory.

Both sides declare victory on ultrasound bill

Both Houses of the General Assembly today claimed victory when unveiling a compromise version of a controversial ultrasound abortion bill proposed a year ago.

Cigarette tax debate delayed for a week

The Senate will put off debating a 50-cent per pack cigarette tax for another week, but the bill will take top priority the week of April 28.

Abortion ultrasound compromise reached

Women seeking an abortion would have the option of viewing an ultrasound photo of the fetus under a compromise struck between the House and Senate Wednesday.

Ross, former state GOP chairman, dead

Former S.C. Republican Party Chairman Dan Ross of Blackville passed away on Tuesday after suffering a stroke, according to a news release from the S.C. Republican Party.

Ross, according to the release, served as chairman from 1976 to 1980 and was instrumental in ushering in a competitive two-party political system in South Carolina after years of Democratic Party dominance. 

State employees get 1 percent raise under proposal

The state Senate has proposed a 1 percent pay raise for state employees.

The amendment, sponsored by a number of Senate leaders, will be debated later. The Senate taps $20 million meant to pay down the cost of retirement benefits to fund the raise.

The Senate cut a proposed 2 percent raise last week when state economists lowered revenue estimates.

Idling tractor trailers and buses banned under bill

A House panel has passed a measure to limit the length of time trucks and buses can idle. Under the bill, a commercial hauler could only idle 10 minutes per hour while a bus transporting people could idle 15 minutes. The intent is to limit emissions released into the environment. It includes several exemptions including trucks left idling to keep its driver warm on cold nights. 

Filibuster to increase tourism spending ends

Advocates of increasing money for tourism advertising have abandoned a filibuster of the budget.

Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Horry, led the debate, arguing spending on tourism could spur state revenue growth. Others argued that the current weak dollar gave the state an opportunity to tap new visitors in Europe and Canada.

But in the end, Rankin admitted that the money was not available in a year when state agencies have cut budgets and services.

Graham has $4.7 million in campaign cash

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s re-election campaign has $4.7 million on hand, according to the campaign and federal campaign disclosure reports it had to file today.

The campaign reported raising $502,344 in the first quarter of 2008.

Graham will face Lexington dentist Dr. Buddy Witherspoon in the Jan. 10 statewide primary.

Witherspoon has roughly $250,000 on hand.

Witherspoon has $250,000, campaign says

The campaign for Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Buddy Witherspoon says the Lexington dentist has roughly $250,000 on hand after the first quarter filing period.

The campaign reports having raised the money mainly from about 3,000 individual contributors.

Witherspoon is the only Republican challenger to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in the upcoming June 10 primary.

By comparison, Graham reported having more than $4 million on hand in in the fourth quarter of 2007. 

House gives nod to copper theft bill

The House approved a bill Wednesday requiring purchasers of copper to get a copy of the seller's ID and license plate. Also, the bill makes it a criminal offense to cut or deface property for the purpose of obtaining copper and other metals.

Landowners can shoot dangerous animals

Cities and counties could not prohibit landowners from shooting at dangerous animals that pose a direct threat. That's according to a Senate bill that received key House approval Wednesday. The bill only applies to parcels of land 25 acres or more.

Sanford to announce DPS chief at 1 p.m.

Gov. Mark Sanford will announce his nominee to lead the state Department of Public Safety today at 1 p.m. Sanford forced the resignation of James Schweitzer after a video surfaced of a trooper threatening to kill a suspect and using a racial slur in March. Sanford said the trooper should have been fired.The trooper was disciplined by being sent to sensitivity training.

The new nominee will replace Schweitzer if he wins confirmation by the S.C. Senate. The new DPS chief will also hire a new Highway Patrol colonel, who also was forced to resign over the trooper videos. Sanford's nominee will be under great scrutiny by the General Assembly, which is investigating the Patrol and has said it will not consider Sanford's nominee until its probe of Highway Patrol is complete.

Sanford: Tax day is a good time to hold spending

As people across South Carolina filed their taxes today, Gov.  Mark Sanford issued a reminder to the Senate "to keep present and future taxpayers in mind as they contemplate the state budget."

The Senate is debating its budget plan today.

Charter schools' certification extended

A House panel has approved a bill that will extend the state's charter school certification from its current five years to 10 years. The bill, according to charter school advocates, will help the schools qualify for bank loans to build school facilities.

Charter schools are funded with public money, but most are run independently of school districts and all are exempt from most state education regulations.

Senate won't make court pay legal fees

The Senate has begun debate on its $7 billion state spending plan.
Among the first action was to remove a proviso requiring the Judicial Department to pay a portion of a million dollar court settlement. Finance chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, said there was a misunderstanding about how the fees were calculated. The courts, Leatherman said, acted in good faith in setting the fees.

Study: Single-parent families cost S.C. millions

Single-parent families cost the state $469 million a year in public assistance and other costs that could be reduced by more programs encouraging marriage, according to a national study by four pro-marriage groups.

The findings were supported locally by the Palmetto Family Council and other groups.

The study found that women who marry were less likely to be in poverty and less likely to use public assistance, such as Medicaid. Children of marries households were less likely to need aid from the Department of Juvenile Justice  or be incarcerated.

Senate to take up budget today

The S.C. Senate will take up a $7 billion spending plan that has been pared back by $90 million over the past month.

Sliding revenue estimates have forced lawmakers to pull back on spending after cutting most state agencies by between 2.5 and 5 percent.

Last week, the Senate Finance Committee held a special meeting after government revenue forecasters predicted tax collections would soften.

The committee decided not to give state workers a pay raise, saving the state $40 million.

This week the Senate will debate the voluminous budget and determine if cuts are needed elsewhere or if some cuts proposed in committee can be restored.

Group calls on S.C. to end Sunday liquor ban.

A group representing liquor distillers called on S.C. to lift its ban on Sunday alcohol sales Monday.

Now that Colorado has lifted its ban on Sunday alcohol sales, South Carolina is one of 15 states that prohibit hard liquor sales on Sundays.

Sanford issues plan to balance budget

Gov. Mark Sanford proposed a three-pronged plant to ease the impact of cuts the House and Senate spending plans include in a year where revenues are down $90 million.

Landfills can continue, as Senate refuses ban

A key Senate subcommittee balked at establishing a statewide moratorium on new permits for landfills designed to handle construction debris.

The Medical Affairs Committee did, however, approve a resolution banning new landfill construction of facilities that are dedicated to handling debris from new construction, demolition, and land-clearing work in Anderson County.

Limits on where sex offenders live moves forward

A Senate panel agreed Thursday on a bill that would make it tougher for sex offenders to find places to live.
Under the bill, approved by the Judiciary subcommittee and sent on to full committee, sex offenders convicted of certain crimes such as first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct, or committing or attempting a lewd act upon a child under 16, could not live within 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds, parks and other public facilities. 

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Joan Brady, R-Richland, who spoke before the subcommittee. "The premise of the bill is protection," she said.

House outlaws hallucinegenic root

The House has voted overwhelmingly to make salvia divinorium, an hallucinogenic herb grown mainly in Mexico, illegal in S.C.

Lawmakers voted 101-4 to make the herb and mixtures derived from it illegal.

Sanford withdraws workers' comp board nominee

Gov. Mark Sanford withdrew the embattled nomination today of Columbia attorney Samuel F. Painter to serve on the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission.

Painter was recommended by the governor to serve a five-year at-large term on the commission, which resolves injury disputes and settlements between injured workers and their employees.

Senate will take on budget before cig tax

Senate lawmakers are content to tackle the budget before taking up the cigarette tax.

Sen. Thomas Alexander said he is still working on a compromise about how to spend the $158 million a 50-cent increase would raise.
The Senate passed the cigarette tax last week, but the state budget takes precedence over all over legislation.

The Senate expects to begin budget debate Tuesday.

Drug testing for candidates could become law

The Senate substituted a bill for a joint resolution Wednesday to create a voluntary drug testing program for candidates seeking elected office, including the General Assembly, judges and other public officials.

If passed, candidates seeking office would have to undergo a drug test 30 days before filing for an office, or up to 10 days after, and submit the results to officials they filed with for office.

South Carolina could become the only state with such a provision, officials said. "There's no doubt about it, we're plowing new ground," said Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, who sponsored the bill.

Sanford tried to steer port business

Gov. Mark Sanford tried to persuade the then-chairman of the state's Ports Authority to sell a piece of coastal property to a Sanford donor instead of another developer who'd submitted a higher bid, according to former S.C. Ports Authority Chairman Bill Stern.

Stern, who was testifying before a Senate committee today as a nominee for another term on the Ports board, told lawmakers Sanford asked him to reconsider Hilton Head developer Jim Chaffin's bid for port property in Beaufort County appraised at $27 million.

Another developer bid $26 million for the property. Chaffin is a Sanford donor according to a report by the Associated Press. His bid was reportedly much lower.

Bill expands who's eligible for in-state tuition

College students who live in South Carolina and hold down full-time jobs in Georgia and North Carolina counties contiguous to this state would  be allowed to pay in-state college tuition fees under a bill that received committee approval Wednesday.

The bill's effect would be to relieve an undetermined number of college students from the existing one-year residency requirement that is in place in order to qualify for the lower, in-state tuition rates, by virtue of physically living in the Palmetto State, and working full time outside of state.

Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, said the bill primarily will affect counties contiguous to Rock Hill in the Upstate, and Aiken in the western Midlands.

However, Peeler questioned the projected $1 million price tag that state economists estimate the relaxed residency requirements would cost.

Bill would change how S.C. State elects trustees

The Senate Education Committee agreed Wednesday to change the make-up of the Board of Trustees of South Carolina State University.

Three slots on the troubled 13-member board would be appointed by the university's alumni association under the measure approved Wednesday, with nine slots to be filled by appointment through the General Assembly, and one board member to be appointed by the governor.

The bill moves to the full Senate.

Bill aimed at racial health disparities gets OK

A bill aimed at ending the racial disparities that exist in many chronic illnesses among S.C. residents got key approval Wednesday in the S.C. House.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control would establish grants to create partnerships between state and local government and community and faith-based groups to help raise awareness about treatment and behavior.

Boost to retirees, lawmaker pay stalls in House

The House has failed to give final approval to a bill that would have boosted lawmaker pensions, instead sending the bill back to committee.

The pension increase was attached to a bill giving state retirees a guaranteed 2 percent cost-of-living increase.

A handful of lawmakers organized a revolt against the bill overnight. Typically the third and final vote on a bill is a formality, but those lawmakers rounded up just enough votes to send the bill back to committee, a rarely used tactic,  on a 58-51 vote.

Those lawmakers hope to remove the lawmaker pension boost and pass the bill.

State employees won't get raises under new budget

State employees will not see a pay raise this year, according to a spending plan approved Tuesday to deal with an unexpected revenue shortfall.

The raises cost an estimated $40 million, nearly exactly the hole created when state economists lowered budget projections Monday.

Lawmakers were split over the decision.

Sen. Kay Patterson, D-Richland,  urged the Senate not balance the budget on the backs of employees.

But others said state agencies could not absorb any more cuts.
Why give raises, Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Berkeley, asked, if the cuts result in furloughs?

Dems: Cut endowed chairs, give 1% pay raises

Democrats in the General Assembly are proposing the following to make up for a $40 million funding shortfall lawmakers found out about on Monday.

The state Board of Economic Advisors projected a total of $90 million less in state revenues than anticipated. A Senate budget passed in committee last week had already trimmed $50 million from the state's $7 billion spending plan.

Democrats, discussing the budget in their caucus meeting, proposed the state can make up the remaining $40 million by:

• Taking $10.5 million from the state's tuition prepayment plan that allows families to pay for future tuition at today's rates.
  
• Taking $20 million of the proposed $30 million funding to the state's endowed chairs program that underwrites research at the state's research institutions.
• A 1 percent pay raise for state employees.

DUI bill overwhelmingly passes the House

A bill that would toughen the penalties for drunken driving has passed the House by a vote of 109 to 5.

The House and Senate versions of the bill had recently passed a conference committee of House and Senate members. House members passed the measure, which will link tougher penalties for drunken driving to how much alcohol drivers have in their bodies.

School buses, tourism ads face state cuts

The Senate Finance Committee is considering their options in how to trim a total of $130 million from this year's and next year's budgets.

The current year's $90 million hole will be plugged with the $124.5 million capital reserve fund. To do so, the Senate will have to trim down a list including new school buses, tourism advertising money, a high-speed data connection at state research universities and more.

Full House -- Body swears in newest member

The House swore in its newest member this morning, Rep. Joe Daning, who will represent District 92 in Berkeley County.

Daning, a Republican, was elected in a special election last week to replace Shirley Hinson, who retired last year.

The House once again has a full contingent of 124 members.

Sanford still sour on REAL ID

Gov. Mark Sanford wrote a letter Tuesday to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — and to all members of Congress and to all governors — blasting a new federal identification program as costly, ineffective and, in some areas, unnecessary.

Sanford: Immigration bill falls short

Gov. Mark Sanford said again today the illegal immigration bills being negotiated between the S.C. House and Senate do not go far enough.

BEA cuts budget projections by $90 million

The state's board of economic advisors today predicted South Carolina will take in $90 million less than expected for next year's budget.

The S.C. Senate last week passed a budget that contained a $50 million cut from the $7 billion House budget passed last month for the next fiscal year.

Gov. Mark Sanford issued a statement that the projections confirm his concerns about softening revenues back in February. 

"We've said for months that this year's projections for budget growth were far too optimistic, and unfortunately today those concerns were shown to be founded," Sanford said.

Endowed chairs get $20 million less from Senate

The Senate budget give $20 million less than the House to a program designed to recruit high-tech researchers to S.C.

The program, commonly called endowed chairs, is meant to transform the state's economy. The program is a favorite of House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston.

So far the Senate Finance committee has only released the lottery-funded portion of the budget. The committee expects to reveal more budget details later this afternoon.

McMaster: Abolish parole, create Middle Court

Attorney General Henry McMaster encouraged a House panel Wednesday to abolish parole and replace the state's drug courts with a new middle court for those sentenced to 90 days or more for non violent offenses.

"For every person we send to middle court, we'd save over $12,000. And that's just for one year," McMaster said. Offenders would undergo an 18-month program instead of being going to prison.

Several lawmakers said they support the creation of such a court but voted to adjourn debate until next week.

Bill would protect Native American tribe names

Native Americans officially recognized as a tribe or nation want groups that are not officially so certified to refrain from using the designation of tribe or nation.

What's in a name?

State and federally-recognized Native Americans in South Carolina say there is honor.

Coroners want better succession plan

Most people wouldn't think of their local coroner's office as a political hot potato. But a couple of experienced S.C. coroners told a Senate panel Wednesday they sometimes can be.

Positive drug test would revoke commercial driver's licenses

A positive drug test or alcohol test could soon hit commercial drivers in the pocket.

A bill approved Wednesday by the Senate Transportation Committee would disqualify drivers from operating a commercial motor vehicle until they completed a drug or alcohol program.

House passes tax cut for married couples

The House of Representatives passed a nearly $5 million annual tax cut for married couples Wednesday.

That equates to about $27 per couple annually. Rep. Gilda

Cobb-Hunter introduced an amendment to give the cut to low income couples only. That measure failed.

Retiring Sen. Kay Patterson will be "roasted"

State Sen. Kay Patterson, who is retiring from the General Assembly after 34 years, will honored by his friends and colleagues.

Patterson will be roasted May 7 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. J. Anthony Brown,  comedian and syndicated radio talk show host, will be one of the roasters.

Cigarette taxes for health insurance dies

A proposal to raise S.C.'s lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax and spend the money on health insurance tax credits has failed in the Senate Finance committee.

The proposal, which would have raised the tax by 50 cents a pack, failed 8 to 14.

The committee is now debating other proposal to raise the tax, and how to spend the money.

Bill outlawing lap dances stalls in House

Strippers in the Palmetto State are safe for now.

The House Judiciary Committee essentially suffocated a regulatory measure Tuesday, heartily agreeing on a voice vote to hand the bill off to a different committee for more study.

Some attending the meeting joked the bill is unlilkely ever to be heard from again this year.

Lawmakers say Smith survived bomb blast

Richland County Rep. James Smith was in a military Humvee that was hit by enemy fire last week in Afghanistan, but neither he nor his comrades were seriously injured, according to his legislative colleagues.

House approves bill to let lawmakers possess guns

The House has approved a bill allowing lawmakers with concealed weapons permits to keep guns in their cars on State House property.

Weapons are not ordinarily permitted at the State House complex.

The bill would not allow weapons in the State House chambers.

Senate focuses on budget this week

The full Senate will work a short schedule this week to allow the Finance committee to finish work on the budget.

Despite a number of bills that have been holding up the calendar, the Senate adjourned quickly today and will do so again on Thursday.

The Finance committee will continue debate on the budget this afternoon. Chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, expected the first numbers will be released tomorrow.

Challenger to Joe Wilson has $200,000 on hand

Rob Miller, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in S.C.'s 2nd Congressional District, has $200,000 on hand, according to his campaign.

Miller, who retired from the Marine Corps in February, is one of two Democrats running for the seat.