May 21, 2012

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Prison requesting $6 million after radioactive element found in water supply

May 14, 2012 By

Wateree River Correctional Institution (Courtesy: SCDC)

The agency that runs South Carolina’s prison system is asking for an additional $6 million in this year’s budget after an unsafe amount of radium was found in the water supply of a Sumter County facility.

Radium is a radioactive element that exists in the soil of the Piedmont and Sandhills regions. While naturally occurring, it can dissolve in groundwater and accumulate in unsafe levels in some parts of South Carolina. While small doses of radium are not harmful, exposure over a long period of time increases a person’s cancer risk.

“It would take a large amount to cause a problem for humans, but over time it could,” South Carolina Department of Corrections spokesman Clark Newsom said.

The state’s public health agency, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), found rising radium levels at a Wateree River Correctional Institution well in 2008. Since the amount was considered unsafe under the state’s Safe Drinking Water Act, the Corrections Department faced a $5,000 per day fine. However, the two agencies signed a consent order in December 2008 where prison officials agreed to find a solution without paying the fine.

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Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Featured, Health & Medicine, Legislature, News

Legislative Update: May 10

May 10, 2012 By

Headlines from the SC State Capitol:

SC Statehouse (File)

–A hurried effort by senators to restore nearly 200 candidates to next month’s primary ballots failed Wednesday. Republicans were unable to raise the necessary two-thirds vote that would have suspended the Senate’s rules to take up the measure. Democrats mostly opposed the plan, saying it would likely be struck down by the state Supreme Court and unfairly bailed out candidates who had not followed the law.

–Earlier in the day, a Senate panel voted to advance a House bill that would create tax deductions for families that pay private school tuition. But it was hardly a ringing endorsement, as a majority of those on the panel actually voted against it. However, the subcommittee’s chairman Sen. Wes Hayes (R-Rock Hill) — one of those who voted “no”– said the issue should be decided by the full Senate Finance Committee.

–The Budget & Control Board approved a deal between the University of South Carolina and ETV where the school would purchase two buildings and more than six acres near Williams-Brice Stadium. USC agreed to pay $5.275 million for the property. School officials said they hoped to move several public institute programs into the buildings.

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Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Senate fails at hurried attempt to restore candidates to ballot (AUDIO)

May 9, 2012 By

It was a long shot, state Senate advocates warned as they introduced their plans to try to fix what has been dubbed the “candidate crisis”  involving confused first-time candidates being kicked off of primary ballots.

“This will be a daunting task,” said Senate Judiciary Chair Larry Martin when he opened an emergency session of his committee.

Judiciary Chair Larry Martin tried to salvage the bill

Senate Republicans tried to push through a bill to give all candidates another shot at correctly filing the required economic forms, whether or not they filed them properly — or filed them at all.

And that became the sticking point that resulted in Democrats and some Republicans blocking a rules change to fast-track debate, which then killed the bill’s chances.  Democrats and an outspoken Republican Senator Jake Knotts balked at extending the list of eligible candidates beyond the statutory deadline: March 30.  Bill sponsors wanted to make it April 15, which was the filing date for incumbents.

This all started with a state Supreme Court ruling last week that revealed that candidates and local parties were confused about changes to filing laws.  The court disqualified 183 candidates from the upcoming June 12 primary. That decision has resulted in two lawsuits, delayed absentee ballots and a day of political bickering in the Senate.

Aiken Republican Greg Ryberg was furious and said some senators against the bill are only watching out for their own campaigns. AUDIO

Sen. Knotts was determined to block a bill that let everyone on the ballot and did not try to fix the law in the future. He filed a stack of amendments to bog down debate. “I’m in the catbird seat,” he chided.  Knotts’s opponent was one of those removed from the ballot last week.

Knotts found allies in conflicted Democrats like Orangeburg’s Brad Hutto AUDIO

However, Pickens Republican Larry Martin said some candidates only did what they were told by party officials who ended up being wrong.  AUDIO

Columbia Democrat Joel Lourie said he could sympathize with Martin. AUDIO

Democrats accused Republicans on grandstanding on the issue, when they were well aware the high court’s decision could not simply be overturned. That upset Anderson Republican Kevin Bryant. AUDIO

After the Senate adjourned empty-handed, both parties blamed each other.  The next chance at a remedy is today’s federal court hearing of a candidate complaint.

Compiled by Ashley Byrd and Matt Long

Filed Under: Featured, Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Legislative Update: May 9

May 9, 2012 By

Headlines from the SC State Capitol:

Sen. John Matthews (D-Orangeburg) watches debate in the Senate

–The first effort to return more than 180 candidates to next month’s primary ballot failed in the South Carolina state Senate Tuesday after two senators blocked a bill intended to fix the problem. Last Wednesday, the state Supreme Court ruled those candidates who had not filled out required financial paperwork at the same time they registered to run could not be on the ballot. Tuesday’s proposal would have set aside May 18 as a temporary re-filing date. Supporters pledged to try again on the Senate floor Wednesday.

–However, it was what happened after the meeting that got much of the media’s attention, when U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson’s wife Roxanne confronted Sen. Jake Knotts (R-Lexington) for blocking the bill. Mrs. Wilson’s sister Suzanne Moore is one of the candidates not allowed to appear on the Lexington Clerk of Court’s ballot next month. After shouting angrily at Knotts, Wilson eventually followed him into his office, but the pair emerged after a few minutes with Wilson saying “We made peace.”

–Meanwhile, the Senate Finance Committee continued its efforts crafting a budget. Senators learned Tuesday they will have an additional $292 million more in revenue than expected. The state’s Board of Economic Advisors certified the recurring and one-time funds, saying the growth was due to more people holding jobs and fewer tax refunds given this year.

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Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Lawmakers look to toughen new copper theft laws

May 8, 2012 By

In an effort to stop out-of-control copper theft in the state, the South Carolina House of Representatives voted unanimously Tuesday to put more restrictions on people who buy and sell the metal.

Rep. Todd Rutherford (D-Columbia) Courtesy: SCETV

Last year, lawmakers required a person or business to get a permit before selling copper. The 2011 law also does not allow a recycler to pay for copper with cash. Supporters say the changes were needed to stop thieves from stealing copper from air conditioning units and catalytic converters and selling it to make quick money.

However, lawmakers say some recyclers are getting around the law by writing a check, then cashing it on the spot. “We thought we had fixed it last year,” Rep. Todd Rutherford (D-Columbia) said on the House floor, “The problem is that metals now are so valuable that they are finding ways to allow people to steal. They know it goes on and they allow it because it brings in business.”

Under an amendment passed Wednesday, secondary metals recyclers would no longer be able to either cash a check or offer an ATM card as an alternative method of payment.

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Filed Under: Business, Crime & Courts, Featured, Legislature, News
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