February 8, 2012

Clyburn concerned about “lack of civility” and threats

Congressman Jim Clyburn was front and center in the national media Wednesday saying “Silence is consent” when it comes to threats made against House members and overall what he calls a “lack of civility” in the wake of the health bill passage.

“There’s something else going on here that’s churning up people for other activities down the road. Look, we’re going to soon be getting to dealing to this issue of immigration, and I’m afraid that if we don’t tap this down now that controversial issue could very well generate something that could lead to some catastrophic events.” [Read more...]

Black Caucus says USC board lacks diversity, urges recruits to reconsider

Members of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, concerned that the University of South Carolina is likely to lose its lone black member, are reportedly urging black football recruits to reconsider playing for USC.

Black lawmakers says that Rock Hill attorney Leah Moody does not have the votes in the legislature to be appointed for a full term on the board next month. Moody was appointed to the USC Board after Board Vice Chairman Samuel Foster, who is black, resigned July 1, 2009 after being indicted for bank fraud. Foster had been on the board since 1984, and was set to become the board’s black chairman prior to his resignation. Foster served on the board since 1984.

Former USC football player and current LBC member Richland County Representative Anton Gunn says he is concerned about a lack of diversity on the USC board and the boards of other state institutions but he has not and will not call recruits about the issue. [Read more...]

Legal expert: Attorneys general lawsuit has little chance for success

Attorney General Henry McMaster in recent SCRN interview

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster and 12 other state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against the federal government against the new health care reform law. They  say the new law to is unconstitutional. The attorneys general charge that the law runs against the grain of the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  That part of the Constitution states the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

McMaster says, under the Tenth Amendment, the federal government has no power to coerce a person to purchase health insurance. A number of legal experts, including Jim Underwood, USC School of Law Professor Emeritus, says the lawsuit has little chance of success because of the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. [Read more...]

Bill vs. national health care plan passes SC House panel (Audio)

Reps. Scott and Duncan hear testimony from Tea Party constituents

A bill passed in subcommittee to let South Carolina voters decide about ignoring the new health care reform law.  House member Jeff Duncan of Laurens introduced the bill (H. 4240) and invited Upstate Tea Party leaders to speak to his subcommittee.

(Rep. Duncan discusses H.4240 with SCRN’s Ashley Byrd MP3 1:35)
Rep. Duncan discusses his bill with SCRN’s Ashley Byrd MP3 1:35

Charleston Republican Representative Tim Scott also testified for the bill, which now goes to full House Judiciary Committee.

SCDC Director Ozmint: SC prisons need chapels

Greenwood chapel groundbreaking held Thursday

“Building prisons without chapels was a mistake,” says Jon Ozmint, State Department of Corrections Director. Of the 28 prisons in South Carolina, only 16 have a chapel.

A maximum security prison for women in Greenwood held its groundbreaking Thursday. Josh Gelinas with South Carolina Department of Corrections says the new chapel will provide the space needed for an array of worship services and rehabilitative programs. “They’re having to meet where they can. Sometimes that’s in the dormitory, sometimes that’s in a visitation room. And those places can be noisy, distracting. And what you get with the chapel is a space dedicated to exploring faith. And inmates welcome it with open arms,” Gelinas says. [Read more...]