A bill to reform the Employment Security Commission (ESC) passed the South Carolina House Wednesday on second reading.  The vote was 108-1.

Majority Leader Kenny Bingham and others combined 10 amendments into one comprehensive amendment. It would establish the ESC as a cabinet agency under the governor.

Under the bill appeals from those trying to get unemployment checks would go to an existing appeals court, the Administrative Law Court, which would receive extra staff. The ESC commissioners, who now handle appeals, would be phased out, resulting in a net savings to the state.

Bingham says the legislation also creates an oversight committee, the Workforce Review Committee, to oversee the agency.  The Workforce Review Committee would be similar to the oversight committees which oversee the Office of Regulatory Staff and the Public Service Commission.

(Bingham on House floor  MP3  4:53)
Bingham on House floor MP3 4:53

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Wednesday afternoon in the Senate, the main topic was changing the Employment Security Commission, but debate centered around the details—from how to choose commissioners to when to pay benefits.

Senators argued for and against governor having the power to select the members and chief of the state Employment Security Commission. And the debate was divided among Republicans: Aiken’s Greg Ryberg argued for the governor having the power to select the head of the Employment Security Commission. Horry’s Luke Rankin countered that the governor  needs some legislative oversight. Lexington’s Senator Jake Knotts says the system of legislative control has worked with the state Department of Transportation. Charleston’s Chip Campsen came to Ryberg’s defense, using a football analogy:

(Senator Chip Campsen’s football analogy MP3 :42)
Senator Chip Campsen’s football analogy MP3  [Read more...]