House files bills that would limit spending

Bills that would limit the growth of government spending and would set aside more state money to a reserve account have been introduced in the House.

The Spending Limit Bill, H.3397, would cap the growth in spending to population plus inflation. The reserve fund bill would expand the state's reserves to 5 percent to 3 percent. 

Treasurer: Some cities and towns will be denied state money

State Treasurer Converse Chellis said 19 cities and towns in S.C. will be denied state funding for not complying with new transparency rules.

Starting Feb. 1, those towns that have not complied with a law passed last year that requires a higher level of financial reporting to the state will have their funding withheld.

"If a city or town complies with the law it will continue to receive its state aid. If they fail to submit a proper financial audit to our office, then we will begin withholding state aid until they fully comply with the law," said State Treasurer Converse Chellis.

Employment Security Commission goes on counterattack

The Employment Security Commission today met with the media to defend itself after Gov. Mark Sanford blasted the agency in a pair of TV interviews Wednesday morning.

Sanford, in appearances on Columbia stations WIS-TV and WACH, said the agency is out of control and the need to borrow $170 million from the federal government to cover unemployment claims is proof.

Members of the ESC shot back at a news conference it organized, saying Sanford had ignored the agency and lacked an understanding of how it works.

Patrol says cuts threaten safety

The chief of the state's highway patrol said S.C. highways are becoming safer, but that proposed state budget cuts threaten progress.Chief Mark Keel told House budget writers that highway deaths 
decreased at nearly twice the national rate in 2008, and likely the largest decrease in the South.

Likewise, Keel said seatbelt usage is also increasing, though still less than the national average.
Keel credited a surge in new officer training for the improved highway safety.

But Keel also urged lawmakers to limit cuts to the agency or risk layoffs. An 8 percent budget cut would force the agency to lay off officers. Keel said the agency employs about 930 officers now, and loses more  than 50 officers a year to retirement and other attrition. Ideal staffing, Keel said, is 1,200 officers.

State lawmakers: Terror suspects unwelcome in S.C.

The S.C. Senate Republican Caucus filed a resolution today calling on President Barack Obama to reverse his decision to close the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay and possibly relocate the terror suspects that have been held there to American soil. The resolution, S.305, also says South Carolina opposes using the Charleston Naval Base as an alternative location for holding detainees.

“Closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay is the wrong move for our country, it is better to have enemy combatants housed outside of the continental United States,” said Sen. Ronnie Cromer, R-Newberry, in a statement. “We have been very blessed over the last seven years, in that we have not had another terrorist attack in our country, but moving current detainees into the United States is just inviting trouble. And, I am certainly opposed to using the Charleston Naval Base as an alternative location. I hope Washington will hear this message. We must proceed with extreme caution, when it comes to this matter of national security.”

Some Dems will fight payday lending bill

Democrats could be in a combative mood today when they meet House Republicans to clash over pay day lending reform.

Expect a number of amendments, to begin with, aimed at countering the effects of a bill being pushed by Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, which limits the number of loans a consumer may take out to one at a time, but fails to cap interest rates pay day lenders may charge borrowers.

The House bill also fails to provide for a cooling off period between loans, and doubles to $600 the amount a consumer may borrow.

"I am disappointed we are all geared up to vote for a bill that has no cap on interest rates," said Rep. William Clyburn, D-Aiken.

"For me, this is a farce," said Rep. Chris Hart, D-Richland. "It does nothing to regulate this industry."

Democrats also complained that Republicans were unwilling to pass legislation regarding the industry last year, but have taken a different position this session, with a bill that detractors contend is an "industry" bill, meaning it leans in favor of lenders at the expense of cash-strapped consumers.

Democrats want an interest cap to loans not to exceed 36 percent

DSS hearing, payday lending and voting on agenda

The General Assembly has a busy week of committee work with a handful  of high-priority bills up for debate.

In the House, budget hearings continue with the Department of Social  Services scheduled for this afternoon. Earlier this month the agency's  former finance director was accused of embezzling millions from the  agency and lawmakers want answers why the theft was not detected in 
audits.

The House will also debate a bill limiting payday lenders and new voting laws, including bills requiring photo ID to vote and early voting. The Senate will take up a bill creating a tax reform committee and 
another that caps state budget growth.

The Senate will take next week off, the second of four weeks of scheduled unpaid leave to meet budget cuts.

S.C. Senate will meet but not act next week

The S.C. Senate will meet next week in a perfunctory status only, meaning there will be no activity on the Senate floor. Only committees and subcommittees will meet during the week, according to Senate President Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston.

The changes are designed to allow legislation to move through committees to the floor for final action.
McConnell said the move improves efficiency and saves money.

No raises for state agency heads, panel decides

The executives who run South Carolina's state agencies will not receive performance salary increases after the Agency Head Salary Commission voted today to suspend raises.

The commission determines the salary and annual raises for the executives who run state agencies, technical college presidents and most college presidents.

Senator Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr., Chairman of the Agency Head Salary Commission, stated, “The agency heads and presidents of our higher education institutions are being called upon to lead our state government through one of its most difficult economic times.  While many are most deserving of a salary increase, these budgetary times will not allow it.  We are grateful for the good job and commitment of all of our public employees and the services they provide to the citizens of

South Carolina

.”

Graham supports Clinton, DeMint votes 'no'

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, a Greenville Republican, was one of two senators who voted against the confirmation of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted to confirm Clinton.