Leventis said Friday that he will not run for reelection in November. He has spent 32 years in the Capitol.

He is an Air Force and Air National Guard veteran who flew combat missions in the Persian Gulf in 1991 while still a member of the General Assembly. He also served as a Brigadier General in the National Guard at McEntire Air Force Base. He currently works as an aviation consultant.

Leventis told The State newspaper that his proudest accomplishments include stopping large hog farms from building in South Carolina, improving aid for military families, and working to spur redevelopment in Sumter and Lee counties.

He ran for lieutenant governor in 2002, but was defeated in the general election by Andre Bauer.

Rep. Mike Pitts (R-Laurens)

Rep. Mike Pitts (R-Laurens) says, if the Senate agrees and the measure becomes law, it would change the way child custody cases are conducted in family court by putting a greater emphasis on the well-being of children. In a recent interview with Greenwood affiliate WLMA, Pitts said the legislation would help relieve some of the congestion in the family court system.

He says the measure would compel parents involved in a marital dispute or divorce to compose a comprehensive plan for raising children. Pitts emphasizes that he wants to make sure that steps are taken to make it feasible for a child or children caught in the middle of a marriage dispute or divorce to ultimately experience quality time with both parents.

Pitts says he feels good about the legislation because he made sure to get the input of people from many walks of life and of varying expertise as he was composing the bill. He says he considers his bill landmark legislation because the last time the state made a change in the way things are done in family court was over 50 years ago.

The bill passed the House unanimously on Wednesday.

AUDIO: Pitts says his primary concern is the welfare of the child (2:42)

Anne Eller, WLMA Greenwood, contributed to the story.

Transportation Secretary Robert St. Onge (File)

–On Thursday, Governor Nikki Haley signed into law legislation that formally creates the Office of the State Inspector General. While senators were debating the new office last year, Haley created the position by an executive order. However, director James Martin was only able to look for waste, fraud, and abuse in Cabinet agencies. The new law expands that oversight to all of state government.

–Legislators in both houses took up the issue of reforming the Department of Transportation (DOT). A House panel advanced legislation that would dissolve the commission which approves road construction projects and instead put DOT under control of the Transportation Secretary… Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Robert St. Onge told senators he would okay with keeping with the commission, so long as they stopped “micromanaging” the agency.

–The Senate unanimously passed a bill that allows SLED to use “Blue Alerts” to warn the public about an at-large suspect who shot a police officer. It would be similar to the “Amber Alerts” that SLED uses for abducted children. The Senate altered the bill slightly, so it requires another vote by the House before heading to the governor’s desk.

–By a vote of 34-3, the Senate also passed a bill by Rep. Dwight Loftis (R-Greenville) that would extend job tax credits to biotechnology research firms, as well as companies that do “infrastructure improvements.” The Senate made the qualifications to receive the credits slightly tougher than the original House version. The bill now heads back to the House for their approval.

–The House Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee sent several bills to the House floor Thursday, including one by Sen. Harvey Peeler (R-Gaffney) that would add some new regulations for “kiddie trains” in South Carolina. The legislation is known as “Benji’s Law” after a six-year-old boy who was killed when a Spartanburg amusement train crashed last year.

–Senate Medical Affairs committee members got heated during debate over a bill by Rep. Greg Delleney (R-Chester) that would not allow those on the state health plan to get an elective abortion, even in the case of rape and incest. Supporters say their tax dollars should not pay for a practice they abhor. Opponents call the bill insensitive to rape victims. No action was taken on the bill Thursday.

The Medical Affairs committee did pass a bill by Sen. Shane Massey (R-Edgefield) that loosens some regulations against home bakeries. It now heads to the Senate floor… Meanwhile, a Senate Judiciary panel advanced legislation by Sen. Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston) that would add two additional seats to the state Judicial Council. It now heads to the full Judiciary Committee.

–At least one candidate has announced for the House seat currently held by Rep. Boyd Brown (D-Winnsboro), who is not seeking re-election. Republican William Gray said Wednesday he would try to win the Democratic stronghold. Gray is a retired state employee who also taught a criminal justice course at the University of South Carolina. He has the distinction of being the first African-American page to work at the Statehouse– doing so in 1969.

Rep. Jay Lucas (R-Hartsville) is pushing for major changes at DOT

A House panel advanced a bill Thursday that would shift more of the agency under the governor’s control. The legislation sponsored by Rep. Jay Lucas (R-Hartsville) would eliminate the seven-member Transportation Commission that currently approves new highway projects.

Lucas has previously tried to push for the governor’s appointed Secretary of Transportation to run the agency, instead of overseeing administrative functions while answering to the commission. However, Lucas says he’s had trouble getting other members to support the move. “It’s not a good process,” Lucas said, “But the problem is no one can come up with a better idea.”

The Department of Transportation had several problems over the summer paying its contractors in a timely matter– eventually having to ask for an advance payment of $52 million from its federal appropriations. DOT officials say the problems were caused by too many projects that started before the agency balanced its cash flow.

Transportation Secretary Robert St. Onge told senators in a separate hearing Thursday that his agency has since made a point to change how it pays contractors. Current law requires the payments to be made within 30 business days. St. Onge said the DOT is now using a 30 calendar day window.

Lucas wants the legislature to get more involved in highway funding, saying that lawmakers don’t have any say in the billions of dollars that flow from the federal government to the commission.

“What is the best way that we can do our job… without using one line item to send $5 billion to a commission that we have no control over?” Lucas asked his fellow House members.

However, the lone Democrat on the panel, Rep. Walt McLeod (D-Little Mountain), said Lucas’s proposal would lead to “micromanaging” by the legislature of even small projects. “That flies straight in the face of Cabinet government,” he argued.

McLeod said legislative involvement would bring even more politics into a process already embroiled by it. ”I appreciate your idealism, but I wish I could convince you that your idealism is misplaced,” he told Lucas in one exchange.

St. Onge was not able to address the House representatives Thursday, but said he was neutral about eliminating the commission. During a Senate hearing Thursday, he said he was open to serving two bosses– the governor and the commission– but added one of those bosses was micromanaging.

“(Some commission members) want to see everything we do to the gory detail,” St. Onge said. “They’re way down in the weeds.” He added he would be open to legislative oversight, as long as it was not too intrusive into the agency’s day-to-day operations.

The Senate Transportation Committee is also taking up a similar bill, but they did not act on it in Thursday’s hearing.

St. Onge said DOT has put $44 million in new projects on hold as the agency tries to regain control over its finances.

Inspector Gen. James Martin

The mission of the office is to investigate allegations of waste, fraud and abuse in state government. Haley created the position of Inspector General by executive order back in March. Jim Martin, who was appointed to the post in June, says the law gives the office more clout by granting the use of subpoena power. 

The law puts the duties and authority of the Inspector General into state law. The first inspector general, George Schroeder, left seven weeks after being named to the position after expressing concerns about the operation’s independence. At the time, he said a law would clear up staffing and administrative questions.

Martin says, during the eight months he has been at the post, his office has successfully handled 101 cases with a staff of four people, including himself. The additional personnel are two auditor investigators and an administrative assistant. Martin says the new, expanded power will translate into a larger caseload and adds he expects that the number of staff in his office will grow as the caseload expands.

AUDIO: Martin says the law will make the office more effective (2:44)

Haley says she does not expect the staff will grow into another large governmental agency. She says the key is saving taxpayer money by reducing government waste, fraud and abuse. She says the key to that is not in numbers of persons on staff, but gaining the cooperation, confidence and trust of those who work in government and concerned citizens.

Haley says one important aspect of the office’s investigative power is the input of contentious government workers and concerned citizens who can call into the inspector general’s office anonymously and point out problems and concerns.

AUDIO: Haley says the office has already proven its effectiveness (1:44)

Senate chambers (File)

–The Senate voted on a resolution Wednesday that reverses a decision by the Department of Health and Environmental Control board to grant a Georgia permit to deepen the Savannah River. The House passed a similar resolution last week. If the House approves this version, it will then head to the Governor’s desk. Gov. Nikki Haley has already indicated she will veto it.

–The Senate refused to agree with the original House version of a bill that creates dozens of new license plates. There is little difference between the two bills, although the Senate version includes “Coon Hunter” and “2011 Baseball National Championships” plates. While both include a “Gadsden Flag” plate, the Senate version also requires a $6800 deposit on the plate before it can be issued.

– In a special joint session, the House and Senate made several judicial appointments, including electing state Supreme Court justice Kaye Hearn to another term.

–The Senate Labor, Commerce, and Industry advanced a pair of bills that tighten the requirements for unemployment benefits. One bill by Sen. Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) would not allow part-time workers to collect jobless benefits if they lose their jobs. Another bill by Sen. Larry Martin (R-Pickens) would prevent seasonal workers from receiving benefits in the off-season.

–A House panel advanced a bill Wednesday that would ban texting while driving. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Bowen (R-Anderson), would create a $100 fine for anyone caught sending or receiving electronic messages while driving. It now heads to the full House Education and Public Works committee.

–Meanwhile, Republicans on a Senate subcommittee moved forward legislation by Rep. Greg Delleney (R-Chester) that would not allow the state health plan to cover elective abortions. That would include pregnancies due to rape or incest, which upset Democrats on the panel. The House has already passed the bill. It now heads to the full Senate Medical Affairs Committee.

–Members of the Senate Judiciary committee heard testimony on a bill by Sen. Joel Lourie (D-Columbia) that would require a person who has failed a DUI test to use a “mini-breathalyzer” installed on their car in order to start it. Current law only requires the devices for repeat offenders. However, members agreed more work was needed before the bill could be advanced.

–South Carolina’s Medicaid director told a House budget subcommittee that outdated technology– including using a paper-based system– is largely responsible for more than $406 million in improper Medicaid payments in 2010. A federal audit last month revealed the state’s rate of payment to ineligible patients was 17.2 percent– up from 5.3 percent in 2007.

–The House and Senate both approved a formal invitation for President Barack Obama to address the General Assembly. Previous Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush have spoken to the body in prior years. There is no word on whether or not the White House will accept the invite.

–Also Wednesday: A Wildlife subcommittee advanced a bill by Rep. Bill Sandifer (R-Seneca) that would make it illegal to hunt waterfowl within 200 yards of a home on Lake Keowee… And a K-12 Education panel reported out a bill by Rep. Phil Owens (R-Easley) that would require middle  and high school employees to complete two hours of youth suicide prevention training when they renew their certification.

On Tap:

–Governor Haley will sign into law a act officially creating the Office of Inspector General. She is also expected to nominate James Martin to the position. Martin has been acting as interim Inspector General since last summer.

SENATE

–A Senate Judiciary subcommittee will hear testimony on a proposed state constitutional amendment by Sen. Gerald Malloy (D-Darlington) that would set funding for the state’s judicial system at 2 percent of the general fund.

–A Senate subcommittee will hold a hearing on several bills to reform the state Department of Transportation (DOT). These range from requiring the agency to post its expenditures online to eliminating the seven-member Transportation Commission and turning it over to the Secretary of Transportation. A third bill would require the agency to change its formula for how construction projects are prioritized.

–The Medical Affairs Committee will discuss proposed regulations that would license chiropractic facilities.

–Another Senate Judiciary subcommittee will hold a hearing on a proposal to move the independent Prosecution Coordination Council under the Attorney General’s Office.  The Council acts on behalf of the state’s solicitors and oversees funding and grants for each local office. It was at the center of a low-profile budget battle last year.

–A joint committee will meet Thursday to screen the candidates for the boards of trustees of the state’s public colleges and universities.

HOUSE

–The Labor, Commerce, and Industry committee will discuss several bills– including the adoption of new energy codes and a Senate bill by Sen. Harvey Peeler (R-Gaffney) that stiffens the regulations for miniature trains.

–”Transportation” will be the buzzword in both House and Senate Thursday, as a House judiciary subcommittee will also hold a hearing on a bill by Rep. Jay Lucas (R-Lucas) that would eliminate the Transportation Commission and instead appoint the Secretary of Transportation as head of the DOT.

Rep. Don Bowen (R-Anderson)

A House panel advanced a bill Wednesday that would ban texting while driving in South Carolina.

There have been several attempts to do this over the past two years, but each has been unsuccessful. Rep. Don Bowen (R-Anderson), who led one of those efforts in 2010, says he’s confident the bill can pass this year because there is now statistical data showing more highway deaths due to texting than those due to driving while intoxicated.

The transportation subcommittee unanimously voted to give the bill a favorable report Wednesday. No one in attendance spoke against the legislation, either. It now heads to the full Education and Public Works Committee.

The bill would charge a $100 fine and put two points on the driving record of a person who is caught. However, if the distraction causes a fatal accident, the driver could face at least a $5,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison.

“We hope that will be a deterrent and make people stop (texting) without having to enforce it,” Bowen told South Carolina Radio Network.

Bowen said he expects more support from fellow legislators this year because he lowered the proposed fine and made a simple texting offense a misdemeanor.

However, while it could pass the House, it’s not clear whether the bill is any more likely to pass the Senate than a previous effort that failed last year. At the time, several legislators said it was unfair to single out texting and purposely held up the bill by adding “poison pill” amendments that banned other forms of distracted driving, as well.

Governor Nikki Haley has also not indicated whether would sign the bill if it even reached her desk. As a representative, Haley voted against Bowen’s first bill in 2010.

“You show me the data that eating a hamburger or putting on makeup have created serious problems on the highway and we’ll address it,” Bowen said. “We have the data to show that texting is a serious cause of accidents on the highway.”

Opponents also say legislators are infringing on personal freedoms. However, Bowen says it becomes a safety issue once a person drives on a public road and puts other drivers at risk by their actions.

35 other states have text messaging bans on drivers.

State Treasurer Curtis Loftis (File)

The top story around the South Carolina Capitol building Tuesday was the testimony of State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, who told a Senate panel that South Carolina’s retirement system was not performing as well as other states’. Loftis complained about high management fees the state pays on its investments, as well as a large percentage of investments in hedge funds, derivatives, and real estate. Members of the Retirement Commission argue the diversification better protects the system against risk.

There was also a flurry of action on the House and Senate floors on several minor bills Tuesday:

–The Senate sent a bill to Governor Nikki Haley that would ban the sale of dishwashing detergents that use phosphates. Several other states have already passed similar laws in response to complaints that the phosphorous pollutes lakes and streams. However, most detergent companies have since stopped using phosphates in response to the bans in other states.

–The Senate also amended and sent back to the House a bill by Rep. Eric Bedingfield (R-York) that would eliminate a law requiring South Carolina wineries to only sell wine with a majority of in-state berries and fruit in the juice. Supporters say the move will help expand the state’s wine industry, which is only able to sell muscatine wines under current rules.

–The Budget and Control Board voted to pay more than $609,000 to settle lawsuits involving three former Corrections Department employees. The employees claimed they were forced out over allegations of lax boiler room security at the Lee Correctional Institute near Bishopville.

–The House unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday that would clarify the amount of money for special education funding. Last year, legislators were warned that they risked losing $111 million in federal funding after making severe cuts to disabled students’ education programs. In response, the General Assembly set aside an additional $45 million for special education this year. However Rep. Kenny Bingham (R-Cayce) said legislators eventually voted to increase funding for school districts anyway, which meant they did not have to earmark the full $45 million to meet the federal requirements. It now heads to the Senate

–House representatives approved a bill by Rep. Anne Thayer (R-Belton) that would give the state’s health agency the power to ban synthetic drugs without having to get the Legislature’s approval first. The bill includes a list of over 100 compounds that have no medicinal value and could be used to create the drugs.

–The House also passed a bill by Rep. Mike Pitts (R-Laurens) that would require family courts to put more emphasis on joint custody during child custody cases. If custody was contested or either parent requested joint custody, the judge would have to consider it, along with the best interests of the child.

–The House also took up a bill by Rep. Bill Sandifer (R-Oconee) that would increase the penalties for fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits. Sandifer said some additional punishments are needed to discourage workers from abusing the system. Lawmakers could vote on the bill later Wednesday.

–A House subcommittee advanced legislation by Rep. Brian White (R-Anderson) that would create a South Carolina Medal of Honor for state residents killed in action while serving abroad. At least one lawmaker questioned if the medal was overkill, however.

–A Legislative Audit Council report released Tuesday found the state Department of Natural Resources made about $4.6 million selling timber from 2001 to 2009. Lawmakers requested the audit to find out if DNR could calculate the value of the state’s timber. However, the agency said it does not determine the value of the wood until it is about to be sold.

On Tap:

SENATE:

–A Judiciary subcommittee will hear from the public on several bills, including one by Sen. Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston) that would increase the age of a “missing child” from under age 17 to under age 18.

–The Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee will hear from members of the DNR board over how the agency handled the departure of DNR director John Frampton. Legislators say Frampton was misled into thinking the entire board wished him to resign early, when that was not the case.

–The Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee will discuss several bills that toughen the requirements to receive unemployment benefits. These include: eliminating state benefits entirely for those fired for cause, and requiring drug testing and/or service hours.

–Another judiciary panel will take up the issue of copper theft. The General Assembly passed a law last year requiring anyone who sells scrap copper to get a permit first. Senators say there are some problems with the new law.

–A Medical Affairs panel will continue hearings on a “Freedom of Conscience” bill. The bill by Rep. Greg Delleney (R-Chester) passed the House last year. It would protect nurses and other medical professionals from performing embryonic procedures or euthanasia if it goes against their beliefs. Opponents fear the bill gives employees too much leeway and hurts patients’ rights.

HOUSE:

–An Insurance subcommittee will hear testimony on a bill by Rep. Walt McLeod (D-Newberry) that would bar insurance companies from “steering” customers to certain car rental companies. That means the insurer could not require a person getting a rental car under their policy to only use one or two rental companies.

–A Wildlife subcommittee is hearing testimony on a bill by Rep. Sandifer that would make it illegal to hunt waterfowl within 200 yards of a home on Lake Keowee.

–A bill by Rep. Phil Owens (R-Easley) that requires middle and high school faculty to take a two-hour youth suicide awareness course will be up for discussion in a K-12 education subcommittee. 

–House budget writers will hear requests from the Department of Education and the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Service, among other agencies.

–A criminal laws panel will hear a series of bills relating to domestic violence, including one by Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) that would allow a judge to move forward with a criminal domestic violence prosecution even if the victim is not present.

–A Special Laws panel will consider a bill by Rep. Bill Taylor that would require agencies to stay within ”fair market rates” when they release documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Agencies often charge a fee to print copies of the documents, but there are complaints that some agencies purposely keep the print costs high to discourage requests.

–A Transportation subcommittee will hear testimony on a bill by Rep. Don Bowen (R-Anderson) that would ban the use of cell phones and other electronic devices to send an “electronic message” while driving.

On Tap:

–The Budget & Control Board will meet in the morning. The five members will also approve the Tobacco Settlement Revenue Management Authority budget. A recent independent audit of the Authority found it had nearly $5.5 million more in liabilities than assets last year.

–The House could move on two significant bills this week. One by Rep. Bill Sandifer (R-Oconee) would place heavy fines on those caught committing unemployment fraud while another from Rep. Alan Clemmons (R-Myrtle Beach) would require third-party voter registration groups to register with the state before signing up prospective voters.

–The Senate remains stuck on a government restructuring bill that would create a new Department of Administration. At issue are disagreements about how the responsibilities of the current Budget & Control Board agencies would be reassigned.

SENATE

–The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up several different bills, including one by Sen. Glenn McConnell that would create a new “Commission on Streamlining Government and Reduction of Waste.”

–A special retirement panel will hear testimony from State Treasurer Curtis Loftis on the problems facing South Carolina’s Retirement System for state employees. Loftis recently told the Wall Street Journal that he wants the state to do less investing in hedge funds, private equity, and real estate.

HOUSE

–The House Ways & Means committee is still drafting a budget. This week, committee members are taking up provisos.

–A Business & Commerce subcommittee will hear public testimony on “right to work” legislation being pushed by House Republican leaders. Among other things, the bill would require labor unions to file financial information with the state.

–The House Judiciary Committee will take up several bills, including legislation by Rep. Brian White (R-Anderson) that would move the state’s Division of Aeronautics from the Commerce Department to the Department of Transportation. Another bill by Rep. Mike Sottile (R-Isle of Palms) would add more time to the statute of limitations against public officials charged with ethics violations.

–A Military and Public Affairs subcommittee will hear testimony on a proposal to create the South Carolina Medal of Honor. The medal would be awarded to Palmetto State natives killed in action while serving in the military.

Rep. Mike Sottile (R-Isle of Palms) is sponsoring the bill. He says there is currently a statute of limitations that prevents public officials from being punished for violations they committed more than four years ago.

Sottile’s bill would change the law so that a current official could be charged for any ethics violation they committed while in office, no matter how long ago. The statute of limitations would instead expire four years after the official left office.

“This is all about accountability,” Sottile told South Carolina Radio Network, “I think everybody that serves publicly should be accountable for what they do.”

Sottile said he drafted the bill in 2010 after learning about an investigation into Mount Pleasant town councilman Paul Gawrych. Acting on a former councilmember’s complaint, the State Ethics Commission looked into whether Gawrych had a conflict of interest in voting and lobbying for road projects that benefitted his asphalt company from 2004 to 2007. The Ethics Commission cleared Gawrych of any intentional wrongdoing, but warned him to be careful in the future.

Sottile said the new law, if passed, would also cover government employees, on top of elected officials.

The bill will be up in the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday. It received a favorable report last week from a Judiciary subcommittee.

SC Senate

South Carolina Senate Democratic Leader John Land (D- Manning) is urging his GOP counterparts to avoid the costs of fighting the federal government over the state’s new voter ID law.

He cited a  Charleston Post and Courier report saying the state’s  taxpayers could pay as much as  $1 million in legal bills to fight for the law, which was recently rejected by the US Department of Justice for the numbers of minority voters who will be negatively affected by the new law. The State Attorney General and Gov. Nikki Haley announced they will take the case to federal court. 

In a statement released Monday,  Sen. Land said, “All this could have been avoided if Republicans simply enacted a plan to make all changes to voter registration and voting prospective. That is to set a date in the future for people who register to vote to produce a photo ID and allow current registered voters to operate under existing laws. Republicans know this plan easily could have been approved by the Justice Department and avoided a costly legal battle. They chose to pick a totally unnecessary court fight and now we all have to pay for it.”

The law bans using cameras to issue speeding tickets based on photographic evidence.

The Beaufort Gazette reports the commission made its recommendation to continue the ban earlier this month. The commission report says the state does not have enough judges to handle all of the cases that would be created if local governments began using the cameras.

The commission says only the state Department of Public Safety should ever be allowed to use the cameras.

The panel consisted of several legislators, Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal, and several representatives from the South Carolina Sheriffs Association and other law enforcement groups.