Congressman Clyburn is participating in the White House Summit on Health Care Thursday. He is webcasting the proceedings via video on the Majority Whip’s website.
Beginning at 10:00 a.m., click here to watch the live stream.
Tobacco tax increase passes SC House committee
February 25, 2010 By
Limehouse(left), Simrill at Wednesday's meeting
The House Ways and Means Committee approved a 30-cent per pack tobacco tax increase Wednesday. Supporters say it would generate $90 million for a Medicaid reserve fund.
But first Committee members rejected Charleston Republican Chip Limehouse’s proposal for a 50-cent per pack tax increase. The 50-cent proposal was attacked by lawmakers representing districts that border on North Carolina and Georgia. Cigarette smokers commonly cross those stateliness to make buys at much cheaper prices. York County Republican Gary Simrill said there are a lot of lawmakers from border counties. He noted that the House passed a 50-cent increase last year and he said such a measure would not get through the Senate.
Orangeburg Democrat Gilda Cobb-Hunter said that there was little evidence in writing that supported the argument made by tobacco retailers in border counties. She said there was no good reason not to attach the tobacco tax to the national average.
House passes key vote on warrant searches (Audio)
February 25, 2010 By
South Carolina House members approved the key vote on a bill Wednesday that would allow officers to search people released on probation or parole without first obtaining a warrant from a judge. Bill sponsor Republican Keith Kelly, a Spartanburg attorney, said that his legislation actually clarifies stop and search law already in effect.
Wednesday’s debate was overlooked by a gallery filled with police chiefs from around the state.
The measure only applies to vehicles and the person’s body. The bill was amended in House committee before reaching the floor to specify that officers do not have the right to search the residences of family members.
House Speaker Bobby Harrell said those affected by the legislation are not entitled to the same privacy as regular citizens, because they were released from prison conditionally. He says they’re still being punished.
The House approved the bill by an 81-26 vote.
Some of the most interesting comments in Wednesday’s four-hour debate came from retired Greenville police officer Michael Pitts of Laurens, a Republican who said he must oppose the legislation.
(Pitts on warrantless searches MP3 5:17)
Pitts on warrantless searches
Chief Justice gives desperate warning to lawmakers (Audio)
February 25, 2010 By
Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court gave a warning Wednesday that the state’s judicial system has been cut to the bone. During her annual State of the Judiciary address before both the House and Senate, Chief Justice Jean Toal said that the system is $11.5 million behind.
(Toal’s warning MP3 10:29)
Toal’s warning
Toal said that if the poor funding continues, terms of court will have to be eliminated.
Toal said she has already cut out travel expenses for judges. She said she warned law clerks last fall that their positions may be cut if funding doesn’t improve. Toal said the judicial system has implemented a hiring freeze and judges who have lost their secretaries must share one with someone else. She says that her department has tried to control backlogs but that further cuts would create more of a problem.
Criminal Justice Academy begins $14 million upgrade (Audio)
February 25, 2010 By
SC Criminal Justice Academy cadets
SC Criminal Justice Academy cadets had an unofficial stamina test today as they stood in the cold rain while the governor, lawmakers, and law enforcement dignitaries paid tribute to what will become a new state-of-the-art training facility.
The official groundbreaking of the $14 million Basic Training Village begins an 18-month construction phase, says South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Director Hubert Harrell.
(Director Harrell interviewed at groundbreaking event MP3 1:34)
CJA Director Hubert Harrell
CJA groundbreaking was a muddy affair for state's dignitaries
The funds did not come from tax dollars, but from $5 surcharges included in tickets and traffic violations. Lexington Senator Jake Knotts, who spoke at the event, says he is proud of the academy. “This is the biggest thing in law enforcement in 30 years for South Carolina,” says Knotts.
Harrell says the village should be ready to use in about 18 months. The fenced facility have a four-story dorm, a gym, a dining facility, a classroom building and office space. The cadets will be sequestered for their 12 weeks of training.
“We’ll be able to intensify what we do with them and maybe turn out a better recruit,” says Director Harrell.
