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Supreme Court nominee Kagan gets Sen. Graham’s vote

July 20, 2010 By

The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved Elena Kagan for confirmation as the newest U.S. Supreme Court Justice. South Carolina’s senior Senator Lindsey Graham was the only Republican to vote yes in the 13-6 vote.

Though he put a few tough questions to Kagan during the hearings, Graham has been openly impressed with her intellect and humor. “I think there’s a good reason for a conservative to vote yes,” Graham says.

Graham says his criteria for this appointment are: “Is the person qualified, is the person of good character,are they someone that understands the difference between being a judge and a politician and quite frankly I think she’s passed all those tests.”

Kagan’s approval goes to the full Senate for consideration by early August. If confirmed, she will succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

See previous story with video of Graham’s questioning of Kagan.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News, Politics & Government

Legislators Ford, Gilliard stand up for Greene (AUDIO)

July 20, 2010 By

RiverDogs' Alvin Greene bobbleheadSome of the Lowcountry’s Democratic leaders are coming to U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Alvin Greene’s defense. State Representative Wendell Gilliard and Senator Robert Ford, both African American Democrats from Charleston, are speaking out in defense for Alvin Greene for the criticism he is receiving from all sides. Ford, who lost the gubernatorial Democratic primary in June, told Charleston’s WWWZ he’s behind Greene and Greene has his vote.

I think we ought to try and treat him a little better because of the fact that he made his point, he ran, he put up $10,000, voters voted for him, and give him a break. We as people also send out a bad signal. Remember now, it was an African American congressman who jumped on the man and said ‘Oh, somebody put him up to run.’ Who’s gonna put him up to run against one of the most powerful men in South Carolina’s history, that’s DeMint.

Ford and Gilliard both say a recent situation at Riley Ballpark in Charleston, where the minor league baseball team Charleston RiverDogs play, was not appropriate. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government, Recreation & Entertainment

PRT has new plan for welcome centers (AUDIO)

July 20, 2010 By

To deal with budget reductions, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is looking for nonprofit organizations to take over operation of South Carolina’s welcome centers.

There are nine welcome centers spread around the state, located on major highways.

Agency spokesman Marion Edmonds says a $200,000 agreement with the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to run the Santee welcome center has allowed it to continue operating other welcome centers seven days a week. The days of operation were cut back to five for a brief period, due to the budget crunch, until Charleston took control of the Santee center. 

But Edmonds says an even darker budget picture calls for further measures.  He says his agency’s budget has been cut 48 percent over the last two years.

Edmonds says his agency is not giving away or selling the welcome centers.

Edmonds says the welcome centers and their staff are extremely important.

 AUDIO: Edmonds on welcome centers (1:22)

Filed Under: Business, News, Recreation & Entertainment

Myrtle Beach woman pleads to fraud

July 20, 2010 By

A Myrtle Beach woman has pleaded guilty to bank fraud.

During a change of plea hearing in Florence the U.S. Attorney’s office said that 44-year-old Jill Diane Brennan, formerly employed with Bank of America, became acquainted with mortgage brokers who worked for by Dunes Mortgage. Brennan began to certify Bank of America Verification of Deposit forms for Dunes brokers. A Verification of Deposit form certifies that an individual has an account at the bank and has a certain amount of funds in that account. They’re used in support of loan applications. Authorities say Brennan certified the forms sometimes without checking.

All totaled, Brennan certified $1.3 million in loan packages.

District Judge Terry Wooten will impose a sentence later. She faces up to 30 years in prison and a million dollars in fines.

Darin Epps previously pled guilty to related charges.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News

Treasurer begins study on zero-based budgeting for state government (AUDIO)

July 20, 2010 By

Treasurer Converse Chellis is beginning a five-month study on the implementation of zero-based budgeting for all state departments and agencies, as put forth by the General Assembly during its last session.

Scott Malyerck with the treasurer’s office describes zero-based budgeting as a method of budgeting in which all expenses must be justified for each new period. Zero-based budgeting starts from a “zero base” and every function within an organization is analyzed for its needs and costs. Budgets are then built around what is needed for the upcoming period, regardless of whether the budget is higher or lower than the previous one.

Chellis has been a proponent of zero-based budgeting and believes, if implemented correctly, it will cut down on inefficiency and waste in government.

AUDIO: Chellis on zero-based budget (1:41)

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Legislature, News
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