William Christopher looks at this past week at the South Carolina Statehouse.
(Sounds from the Statehouse MP3 1:49)
Sounds from the Statehouse MP3 1:49
This a weekly SCRN political feature.
Sounds from the Statehouse (Audio)
January 22, 2010 By
Another week of stalling in the SC Senate
January 22, 2010 By
The South Carolina Senate finished up another slow legislative week. Even though the Republican-sponsored bill on state sovereignty which opposes the federal health care plan was passed this week, the podium appeared to be filled with more stalling, as it was last week. That’s when Orangeburg senator Brad Hutto told us that it was “just politics” as Democrats were attempting to work with Republicans over “some scheduling issues” on the Senate calendar.
Republican Senator Larry Martin of Pickens County says he would describe the mystery behind the process more as Democratic opposition to the substance of some piece of Republican legislation that the Senate would take up next, rather than the schedule in general, but he says there was definitely more stalling again Thursday. Martin isn’t saying what that legislation is. Democrats obviously know what it is but the ones we spoke with aren’t saying either.
And Martin told his collegues on the floor to remember that “the people are watching” lawmakers each day, over the ETV internet broadcast, and through news reports. He says all that stalling doesn’t look good. “There was a big stall underway to keep us from making certain motions,” he says. “And we need to recognize that when we do things that make the Senate seem pretty ineffective, when it comes to the point that we can’t even get past new bills and resolutions which are not debatable, then we need to realize that people are watching what we’re doing.” [Read more...]
Force Protection donates to Red Cross for Haiti relief
January 22, 2010 By
Ladson-based Force Protection has donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross to assist in the relief efforts in Haiti. Armored-vehicle maker Force Protection has given the charitable donation of $25,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund in an effort to long-term support the communities in Haiti that were devastated by this month’s earthquake.
The Lowcountry Chapter of the American Red Cross Executive Director Louise Welch Williams accepted the donation and said: “Force Protection continues to be a great partner with the American Red Cross, in our community, across the nation and around the world.” The Red Cross is currently assisting in food, water, emotional support, telecommunications, and sanitation facilities in Haiti.
Two suspects being questioned in deputy shooting
January 22, 2010 By
A Charleston County deputy was shot after responding to a burglary call Thursday. As for now, Charleston County Sheriff’s Major John Clark says Deputy Jeffrey Degrow is doing as well as he can be.
“He’s doing fine. We had deputies there visiting him this morning. He’s doing as well as can be expected,” says Clark.
Officer Degrow was responding to a burglary call off of James Island, when he saw three suspects. That’s when the suspects fired three shots, hitting Degrow several times. He was taken to MUSC minutes later. Clark gives the latest on the investigation: [Read more...]
Gang threatens mother, family of son who wants out
January 22, 2010 By
Just as Department of Juvenile Justice Director Bill Byars was making his case to legislators that gang prevention should a budget priority, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s office was dealing with how the issue hits home.
Deputies are investigating the threats made by members of a gang towards a mother and her son when her son wanted to leave the gang.
Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office reports that two brothers along with a third male juvenile made threats of bodily harm to the victim and her son. [Read more...]
