SCRN spoke to Speaker Bobby Harrell on the upcoming censure process and how it will be handled.

(Ashley Byrd interiew with Speaker Harrell) MP3 5:15

Interview with Speaker Harrell on Sanford censure

House Speaker Bobby Harrell in a statement today praised the work of the panel and the larger committee:

“Again, I must thank the Judiciary Committee for taking the time during this busy holiday season to fully investigate the allegations of serious crimes and serious misconduct made against the Governor.  I applaud their efforts to address this regrettably necessary matter so that, when the General Assembly session arrives, lawmakers can focus on the issues South Carolinians care about the most.

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Gov. Sanford addresses ethics investigation earlier this year

Gov. Mark Sanford released a statement following the announcement that he may be censured by the South Carolina House of Representatives–and will not be impeached.

His statement:

“I’d make three brief points. First, I’d like to thank the Committee for its work and deliberative approach today and throughout the process.

“Second, we’d concur with the Committee’s reasonable decision to reject impeachment. As we’ve consistently said, this Administration has tried to be a stalwart ally of the taxpayer, and will remain so for the next 13 months.

“Third and finally, I’d join with Speaker Harrell and other legislative leaders in addressing our state’s big picture challenges – from double digit unemployment to the inefficient and unaccountable structure of state government. These recent days and weeks have given us both the best and worst of times, epitomized by yesterday’s two major events: the Budget and Control Board’s grim across-the-board cut to all state agencies, and the equally emblematic inaugural test flight by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner – soon to be another crown jewel of South Carolina exports.

“I’d again ask people from across the state to make their voices heard as we enter the 2010 legislative session – and that we all look for ways in our respective spheres of influence, whether legislatively, in the Executive Branch, or with our hometown businesses and daily conversations, to make South Carolina that much more competitive in the global competition for jobs, investment and way of life.”