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SC House passes bill to trigger more benefits for jobless workers

October 27, 2009 By

The South Carolina House on Tuesday convened to fix the state’s unemployment benefits so that thousands of out-of-work South Carolinians will be able to take advantage of extended federal benefits.

The bill passed 113 to 0.

The legislation is retroactive so both those who have recently been denied federal funds and those in danger of being cut off will be able to receive checks.

House members are in town for one more day on Wednesday, for the third reading of the bill. The Senate is in session Wednesday as well, to give the measure final approval.

House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham assured House members that they would not have to return to Columbia for any more Employment Security Issues this year, and he thanked the lawmakers for sticking to the main purpose.

Filed Under: Business, Legislature, News

Lawmakers not allowed to hear impeachment resolution this week

October 27, 2009 By

South Carolina House members did not hear a resolution Tuesday calling for the impeachment of Governor Mark Sanford. State lawmakers met in special session to give approval to a change of law that will allow thousands of out-of-work South Carolinians to receive extended federal benefits. But Republican Greg Delleney had planned to introduce a resolution that would have been the first steps of impeachment. Democrat Walt McLeod raised a point of order, and Speaker Bobby Harrell agreed with McLeod that the resolution was out of order, according to the rules governing specifically what the House is allowed to do during this special session.

Delleney argued that impeachment is a special responsibility of the House, not limited by the usual rules.

Delleney can file his resolution next month in advance of the regular session, which begins in January. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Legislature, News

SC farmers fight language of “cap and trade” bill

October 27, 2009 By

The state Farm Bureau is teaming up with its national counterpart to fight a  ”cap and trade” energy bill in the U.S. Senate. Like South Carolina’s Senator Lindsay Graham, Farm Bureau officials say the Waxman-Markey bill to cap emissions and re-assign areas of farmland will hurt business, in this case agribusiness.

SC Farm Bureau President David Winkles and American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman signed caps to be delivered to Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, for an AFBF-generated campaign entitled “Don’t Cap Our Future.”

David Winkles, president of the South Carolina Farm Bureau, says that agriculture in the state is a $34 billion a year industry. ”It’s the state’s largest economic engine, so our message has been to our members of our General Assembly is ‘be careful’ about legislation that you pass because it can have effects, long-term negative effects.”
 
Winkles and National Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman offer the same message to Congress.  Stallman will be testifying to California Senator Barbara Boxer’s  Environment and Public Works committee on Capitol Hill Thursday.  One of his issues with the current bill, he says is that there will be a period of time  in which renewable energy will not be able to make up for the energy that is restricted by the caps on carbon. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Agriculture, Business, Environment & Conservation, News, Politics & Government

New Jersey driver carrying explosives arrested in Orangeburg

October 27, 2009 By

The Orangeburg Sheriff’s Department apprehended and arrested a New Jersey man who was traveling with improvised explosive devices and guns. Sheriff Larry Williams says Mark Stephan Carron of Cinnaminson, NJ was arrested for failure to stop for a blue light and driving left of center.

Williams says his department began a search for an older model Ford van after getting a tip that an out-of-state individual had guns and improvised explosive devices.

Portions of US Highway 301 were blocked for several hours Tuesday as investigators secured the scene.

According to Orangeburg Sheriff’s office, ATF, FBI and SLED are all involved in the investigation. State and federal charges are pending.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News

Clyburn not counting on bipartisan support for public option

October 27, 2009 By

United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Monday that the final Senate version of the health care reform bill will include a public insurance option. However, the bill will also include an “opt out” feature which will allow states to refuse to carry the public option if they choose. The bill will give the states until 2014 to do so.

According to keen political observers, the House is more supportive of a strong public option mainly because Democrats have the numbers to pass a plan and don’t have to worry about a filibuster. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is leading a fight for a “robust” public option — also referred to as “Medicare Plus 5.” Under this plan, doctors and hospitals would be reimbursed for services at Medicare rates, plus 5%. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn says whatever the final form the bill takes, a public option will be a feature of that legislation. Appearing on CNN Monday, Clyburn says if Republicans remain resistant to the public option then Democrats must be prepared to go without G.O.P. support because a majority of Americans want a public option. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Economy, Health & Medicine, Legislature, Politics & Government
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