SC House Takes Steps in Approving Comprehensive Tax Reform
The House approved two of three pieces of comprehensive tax reform package Tuesday. Both bills were passed by wide, bi-partisan margins (104-3). “As I’ve said before, this is tax reform in support of a key part of our Republican platform’s call to ‘support a tax policy designed to help the economy grow, not stunt the [...]
SC Senate Passes Healthcare Compact
South Carolina could opt out of many provisions of President Obama’s healthcare plan and be allowed to regulate its own healthcare policy decisions under a bill passed by the state Senate Wednesday. The bill, S.836, sponsored by Senator Larry Grooms and others, would make South Carolina a part of an interstate compact, with each state [...]
SC Senate Passes Bill to End Benefits for Workers Fired for Misconduct
Yesterday, the South Carolina Senate passed S.1125, a bill to prevent workers fired for misconduct from collecting unemployment benefits – a move that could save the unemployment system $50 million per year. The bill, sponsored by Senator Lee Bright, Senator Kevin Bryant, and others is aimed at protecting businesses from having to pay out benefits [...]
Residents May Apply for Seats on SCDOT Commission
A joint legislative panel is accepting notice from residents living in South Carolina’s 1st, 3rd, and 5th Congressional districts who are interested in applying for a seat on the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission. Notice of intent to apply will be accepted until Noon on Thursday, April 26, 2012. Applicants must meet statutorily prescribed [...]
SC Senate Passes Bill to Exempt State from Healthcare Mandates
Yesterday afternoon, the state Senate passed a bill that would allow South Carolina to regulate healthcare decisions within its own borders. The bill, S.836, sponsored by Senator Larry Grooms and others, would make South Carolina a part of an interstate compact, in which each state joining the compact would gain the right to bypass federal [...]
SC House Passes School Choice Bill
Legislation aimed at helping low-income and disabled students attend independent schools passed out of the South Carolina House of Representatives by a vote of 65 to 49 late yesterday. “Parents have the most information and best motivation to make decisions for their own children,” explained Representative Eric Bedingfield (R-Greenville), one of the bill’s chief sponsors. [...]
Rep. Viers Resigns from SC House Effective Immediately
In a 5:25 speech on the floor of the SC House, Representative Thad Viers (R-Dist. 68-Horry County) resigned his seat effective immediately. Becoming emotional at times during his remarks, Viers informed the chamber that, “Tomorrow morning, the Marlboro solicitor will be seeking an indictment against me for the personal, and now public relationship between me [...]
CRESCENT Political Notes: March 19
Filing for the June 2012 Democrat and Republican primaries opened this past Friday at Noon as federal, state, and local offices will be on the ballot this year. Here are a few incumbents and challengers who made campaign announcements. Senator Larry Martin (R-Dist 2-Pickens County) “It continues to be an honor to represent the people [...]
Lt. Governor McConnell Will Not Seek Reelection to His Former Senate Seat
Since last week’s resignation of former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard and the constitutional succession of former Senator Glenn McConnell to the state’s second highest office, rumors have swirled as to Lt. Gov. McConnell’s intentions regarding the seat he held for so long. This afternoon, Lt. Gov. McConnell issued a formal statement to clarify his position [...]
House GOP Files Comprehensive Tax Reform
In an effort to change the way South Carolinians pay taxes, Rep. Tommy Stringer and the SC House Republican Caucus Tax Reform Study Committee filed a package of seven bills today after eight months of study. Because of this week’s budget debate, the bills will receive first reading, be assigned bill numbers, and be assigned [...]
