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Standing room only at Gov. Sanford’s unemployment roundtable

October 20, 2009 By

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford says lawmakers should look at problems at the Employment Security Commission when they return for a special session October 27th to fix a problem that’s keeping unemployed South Carolinians from receiving more federal assistance from the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

Sanford opened his unemployment roundtable meeting Tuesday which involved state officials as well as business leaders and lawmakers from around the state.

Gov Sanford chatting after Unemployment Roundtable

Following the meeting, the Governor emphasized that the problem of the state’s unemployment figures is a complex issue. 

“There are many numbers that go into the numbers we look at,” said Sanford.  “Some are controlled, some aren’t.  We need to look at immigration, from the standpoint of helping people to find work.  If we address the wrong problem, we’ve got a whole new set of problems.” 

Sanford has pushed for changes at the Employment Security Commission for some years. That prompted legislation this past session that was stopped in the House. And about the need for a General Assembly vote next week to allow for the extra federal checks to jobless workers, Sanford says he’s not pointing a finger at the Commission this late, but if someone had drawn sufficient attention to the issue during the legislative session, it would not be necessary for lawmakers to return to Columbia Tuesday.  Sanford says if some House members knew about the problem, that knowledge was certainly not widespread.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Legislature, News

Impeachment resolution to be introduced Tuesday

October 20, 2009 By

State lawmakers will return for a special one-day session October 27th to fix a problem that’s keeping unemployed South Carolinians from receiving more federal assistance. But Representative Greg Delleney says today he’ll use that opportunity to introduce a resolution for impeachment.

Delleney says that would only serve as the beginning of the process since his resolution will likely be sent to committee.

“I just filed the resolution to get the process started,” said Delleney.  “I expect the resolution to be accepted and referred to the Judiciary Committee.  Then the Chairman may refer it to the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee, a subcommittee I chair.  Then we can take this matter up in January and have all the heavy lifting done.”

Following his unemployment roundtable meeting Tuesday, Governor Sanford had this to say:  “People are going to do what they’re going to do.  What we’re focused on is right here today–how do we do a better job at connecting workplace opportunities with workers who need jobs?  If we have more conversation on that we can focus on what really matters to many families, which is having a job by Christmas time.”

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Legislature, News

Greenville curfew now permanent

October 20, 2009 By

Greenville City Council has made a teenage curfew permanent after a second reading of the ordinance.The curfew came about after fighting and disturbances at Falls Park in downtown Greenville. In the past few weeks since the temporary curfew was enacted, only a handful of teens have been cited for staying out late and the number of officers needed downtown on weekends has even dropped.

One disgruntled teen who preferred not to be identified expressed her opinion of the rule.  “I don’t feel like I can enjoy downtown now without looking at my watch every 24 seconds,”  she said.  “Having to think of what I’m going to say to a police officer–we need to react to that and I think it scares a lot of teens.” 

The temporary curfew was to expire at the end of the month.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News

Lowcountry wells checked for coal contamination

October 20, 2009 By

Officials are investigating a possible coal contamination in residential water near the coast. Researchers at the College of Charleston say they are “fairly confident” the black particles found in six residential wells are fine grains of coal.

The Post and Courier of Charleston asked researchers to test the water in wells near a coal plant in Canadys. These tests done near the South Carolina Electric and Gas coal plant show that six wells so far have been affected. SCE&G is questioning the validity of these tests. Department of Health and Environmental Control officials say they are investigating the residential water. The report states that raw coal typically contains trace amounts of arsenic, cadmium, and other toxic heavy metals. Researchers are unclear if any of these particles are harmful to humans.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Human Interest, News

Charleston teacher among nation’s best

October 20, 2009 By

State Superintendent Jim Rex surprised a Charleston English teacher Tuesday with a national award. It’s known as the “Oscars of Teaching,” and West Ashley High School teacher Katherine Henderson had no idea she was selected for the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

“Well, I think it’s a wonderful moment for Charleston County and my fellow educators to have a moment where nationally we are thanked as a group for everything we do. I see with the people around me with the long hours and just the innovative and generating new things for the students in front of us, and trying to bring these new individuals to a point of success,” says Henderson.

Superintendent Jim Rex joined with other educators to present Henderson with the most prestigious national teacher award, that includes a $25,000 prize. Henderson says she was in shock. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, News
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