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Rep. Spratt returns from trip to Afghanistan

January 29, 2010 By

Congressman John Spratt meets with troops in Afghanistan

U.S. Rep. John Spratt has returned from a four-day trip to Afghanistan, with stop-overs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He led a congressional delegation as chairman of the House Budget Committee. The committee will be considering funds for future mission.

Spratt said, “We went to see for ourselves what we can expect to accomplish this year and next, especially by adding troops, and what the cost is likely to be over the years to come. When our troops are deployed to a combat zone, they deserve our full support, and we made it clear to everyone that they have it.

 

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Military, News, Politics & Government

Sounds from the Statehouse (Audio)

January 29, 2010 By

William Christopher looks at this past week at the South Carolina Statehouse.

(Sounds from the Statehouse MP3 1:50)

 Sounds from the Statehouse MP3 1:50

 

This a weekly SCRN political feature.

Filed Under: Legislature, News

Sixth District’s Clyburn has new primary opponent

January 29, 2010 By

Gregory Brown is not afraid to vy for the seat of one of Washington’s most powerful Democrats.

The Hopkins businessman says he wants to run against incumbent and fellow Democrat James Clyburn because he says, “The statistics really show that there has been very little improvement (in the district) over the past couple of decades. And very little constituent service.”

Brown says the sixth district has “really struggled with our education system and educating our children and that is a very serious threat for the future of South Carolina.” He says the “Corridor of Shame” has not seen enough improvement. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government

Dillon County’s J.V. Martin school to be rebuilt

January 29, 2010 By

Superintendent Jim Rex

A letter from a little girl has changed the fate of a school in Dillon. J.V. Martin Jr. High School was spotlighted by President Barack Obama, after he got a letter from student Ty’Sheoma Bethea.

It is now getting rebuilt, says Education Superintendent Jim Rex, thanks to a federal loan and a grant totaling 24 million dollars.

“The loan, which is about 20 million, is going to be paid off by the citizens of Dillon County.  They passed a referendum sometime back about a year and a half ago, but because of the difficult financial markets, it was difficult to get a financial institution to step up, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture finally did,” Rex said.

The school’s furniture has been outfitted by private donation. Construction on the new school will begin in the Spring.

Rex says that solves the problem for one school, while others still need help.

“There have been a whole bunch of providential events that have been happening in South Carolina that have contributed to trying to address this symbol and then hopefully using it as some impotence for addressing the larger problem, the larger dilemma, which is the unjust and unfair way we’ve been funding schools in South Carolina,” he said.

Filed Under: Economy, Education, News

SCDOT & SCDPS ban texting in state vehicles

January 29, 2010 By

Compiled by Jake Levy, SCRN

Employees of both the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) and the state Department of Transportation (SCDOT) are no longer allowed to text message while using state vehicles effective January 28, 2010.

Transportation Secretary H.B. Limehouse says the main goal of SCDOT is safety and that, “our employees must contribute to their own safety and the protection of other drivers by giving full attention to their driving while on the job.”

A South Carolina House subcommittee is considering legislation to ban cell phones in all cars. They will meet again February 3 to vote on the issue. 

With an increasing number of crashes, Public Safety Director Mark Keel says this policy is important, “Our Highway Patrol troopers have seen the tragic results of what can happen when a driver is texting,” Keel said, “I support this ban for our employees because SCDPS and SCDOT have an obligation to take the lead in cutting down on driver distractions and making our highways safer in all aspects.”

Both agencies have offices and employees in all 46 counties of South Carolina.

Filed Under: Human Interest, Legislature, News, Transportation
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