Legislation that would have created a public referendum on allowing churches, schools and charities to hold raffles died in the South Carolina House Thursday.

Raffles have been a common practice for those entities for many years, even though they are illegal. Some charities say they have stopped the practice because of threats from law enforcement, which means that the charitable causes funded by those groups are losing major revenues.

Berkeley County Republican Jim Merrill talked to other lawmakers about his proposal, including Richland County Democrat Todd Rutherford.  Merrill told Rutherford that a law for raffles would come with very specific limitations.

Opponents said legalizing raffles will open the door to video poker and other for-profit gambling. Spartanburg Republican Steve Parker told Merrill that if raffles were legal, that bogus churches could begin profiteering immediately.  Merrill said that would not happen. 

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The Senate’s trademark civility got a little frayed late into the evening Thursday. After midnight, and fourteen hours of debate on often procedural matters,  there were still 26 amendments on the desk.

Charleston’s Robert Ford asked unanimous consent for leave to go home and someone objected. He shot back, “You can object till hell freezes over, but I don’t feel well and I’m leaving,” which drew plenty of laughter. He left but others remained to contend with amendments being crafted into the early morning. Many were shot down as soon as they were introduced.

(Senator Jake Knotts threatened a “real” filibuster MP3)
Knotts threatens his own filibuster

(Majority Leader Peeler urges members to move on MP3)
Majority Leader urges against frivolous amendments MP3

After about 17 hours of debate, the balanced budget passed. The Senate reconvenes Tuesday.