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Is stimulus fallout hitting the GOP?

April 16, 2009 By

Is Governor Mark Sanford’s position on accepting federal stimulus funds eroding the foundation of support behind the Republican party in South Carolina, a state well known for its mostly Republican voting record? Democrats say it’s certainly giving them an edge.

Democratic activist William Hamilton says his message to Republicans is that, more than ever, they need to communicate with each other.   “The people of South Carolina who’re interested in serious progressive change are using this to organize across the state on a scale and complexity that no one has seen before.  And if this goes on long enough, many of you will confront well-organized opponents in your next re-election campaign, and you need to share that with your governor.”

Hamilton says politics have changed and the time has come for Republicans to work toward what’s right.   “If the Republicans want to hold onto South Carolina, the price of doing that now will be governing it sensitively and competently, for the success of all the people who live here.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Economy, News, Politics & Government

High Schooler turns to the “bench” for closure of stimulus funds debate

April 16, 2009 By

While a number of seasoned lawmakers including Governor Mark Sanford and members of the General Assembly continue to wrestle over the issue of whether the Governor should accept $700 million in stimulus dollars, an 18 year old Chapin High School senior Casey Edwards has decided to take matters into her own hands by filing a lawsuit Thursday before the South Carolina Supreme Court for a judgment on weather the legislature can override Governor Sanford and appropriate the funds. Attorneys for the plaintiff Dwight Drake and Dick Harpootlian have asked the court to take the case in its original jurisdiction bypassing lower courts and issue a judgment that affirms the legislature’s responsibility to appropriate the funds as spelled out in the Clyburn Amendment to the federal stimulus law. Drake says the lawsuit is not against Governor Sanford, and the suit does not raise any questions concerning the Governor’s power.”All we’re contending is that sections B and C of the Clyburn Amendment make it crystal clear that the South Carolina General Assembly, just as was intended by Congressman Clyburn and the Congress of the United States, has the authority to receive and appropriate the money.”

Drake says if the court agrees with their request for an expedited consideration of the case, then the legal issue can be resolved with finality within the next 20 to 30 days. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Politics & Government

Union County School District considering ban on cell phones

April 16, 2009 By

The Union County School District is considering a ban on cell phones within their schools. Cell phones have become a concern of school officials for a variety of reasons. School District Interim Superintendent Dr. David Eubanks says cell phones today have many functions making them a greater distraction in the schools. “It has become more and more obvious that cell phones are being used for many purposes other than simply making a telephone call,” said Eubanks.

“The cell phones have become mini-computers with the potential to take pictures, to text message, to get email, and many other things. They’ve become distractions for out students, for our teachers in the classroom and it has become obvious that steps needed to be taken to limit their use.”

Eubanks says that 90 percent of students today carry a cell phone to school. He says that with the functions available on today’s cell phone, the potential for cheating is greater. “When you mention cheating, a good example of that might be–and I’m sure that this has occurred, however, I cannot give you specific instances of it–a student has a math test first period, takes a picture of it and transmits it to a friend who is in second period mathematics who will have a similar test,” he said. “So the potential for use in cheating is there.”

Eubanks says he does not feel that cell phones are only a problem within his district and commends Union County for being proactive in the matter. He wanted to be clear that if the policy passes the board, it does not necessarily mean students can no longer bring their cell phones to school.

According to Eubanks, “If the board votes for the policy on second reading, our objective is not to conduct a daily witch hunt looking for cell phones.

“If a student has a cell phone in a book bag that is turned off, it’s not out, it’s not visible, that’s not our concern because as a general rule, if it’s not out visible, it doesn’t exist.”

Filed Under: Education, News