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Senator Bright: An unborn child’s never going to sue us (Audio)

April 13, 2010 By

Today in the state Senate, most of the debate did not revolve around the cigarette tax as expected. Instead, the topic was an abortion bill that has been in Senate committee and subcommittee since February of last year.  It has been hotly discussed since then. Today, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, seemingly frustrated, stopped the bill from moving any further.

(McConnell on Bright’s abortion bill being unconstitutional MP3 1:34)
McConnell on Bright’s abortion bill being unconstitutional MP3

Before Senate Bill 450 was tabled, sponsor Lee Bright took one more chance to state his reasons for submitting this bill, knowing that it defies the Constitutional ruling in Roe vs. Wade which establishes a woman’s right to have an abortion.

Bright says that “no one in the Senate can truly understand or know the mind of God.” Bright says that he had not planned to take the bill up today, but that it “clears his conscience.”

(Sen. Bright’s defense of bill to make abortion illegal MP3 2:25)
Senator Bright defends bill making abortion illegal MP3

Before adjournment, Democrat Phil Leventis stepped into the debate to make his distinction about being pro-life.
Senator Leventis on being pro-life MP3

Filed Under: Human Interest, Legislature, News

Inglis talks to kindergarten students about their economic future

April 13, 2010 By

As tax day approaches, U. S. Rep. Bob Inglis used a group of kindergarten students at Hampton Park Elementary in Greenville Tuesday to call for a reform of federal taxes, spending and budget policies. Inglis says he doesn’t want future generations to be robbed of the American promise of opportunity.

Inglis says under the current trajectory, by 2040, mandatory spending will consume 90% of the budget. He says the federal government is set to grow from a traditional 18-20 percent of the economy’s gross domestic product to 40 percent by 2050.

Inglis says under current tax rules, tax rates would climb to a top rate of 88 percent and he says that would cripple the economy. The Republican adds that even raising $3 trillion in new taxes over the next 10 years would not close the national deficit.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News, Politics & Government

Area HBCU leaders applaud changes in student loans

April 13, 2010 By

While most Americans were focused on the fight in Washington over the health care legislation, an important component of that legislation includes monumental changes in the funding of higher education. Starting on July 1, federal student loans will be handled directly by the government instead of banks and other private lending companies who had been handling loan programs and paid a federal subsidy for their services. Presidents of historically black college presidents in a two-state region South Carolina say the shift should help students who attend the schools.

Voorhees College President Dr. Cleveland Sellers sees the change in a favorable light.

We’re trying to find ways to minimize the amount of debt that students pick up while their trying to get an education. When cut out the middle man you cut out a substantial amount of service charges and other fees that are going to the lenders that have been handling those particular set of monies.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Economy, Education, News, Politics & Government

McConnell continues to question cigarette tax bill

April 13, 2010 By

A Senate version of a cigarette tax increase takes the states cigarette tax from 7 cents to 57 cents. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell says what the public doesn’t know is what is happening with their money. “And that is the money got high-jacked right off the top, including $2.75 million a year will be appropriated and go directly to the I-95 corridor for infrastructure. Never have to go to the General Assembly,” says McConnell.

What does the I-95 corridor have to do with smoking? McConnell explains: “They claim it’s because tobacco was raised there and they need some economic indicators that will assist them in being able to find ways to create jobs,” says McConnell. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government, Taxes

Commercial construction lagging in SC (Audio)

April 13, 2010 By

While the stock market may be the first to rally in an economic recovery, the last to improve may be the construction sector.

In South Carolina and North Carolina, the largest industry group for commercial construction is the Carolinas Associated General Contractors, well-known as the Carolina’s AGC. According to what they call their “Construction Barometer,” business building is lagging. But it has seen its worst days, says Tony Plath AGC economist out of UNC Charlotte.

(Plath spoke to SCRN’s Ashley Byrd about most recent “Construction Barometer” MP3 2:46)Carolinas AGC economist on construction activity MP3

Plath says the region’s construction industry will not look the same in the future and that to date, one third of commercial contractors are now out of business. By the time the recession wraps up, he thinks half of the private contractors in the market will be gone, as construction, not banking, was hardest hit in the Carolinas.

Filed Under: Economy, News
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