Reported by South Carolina Radio Network’s Tripp Girardeau.

Today, ground-level ozone has become elevated all around South Carolina. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) released an “Orange Ozone Action Day” for several counties, which insists on higher levels of caution for this invisible health problem.

DHEC defines ground-level ozone as “bad ozone” that pollutes the air we breathe. It can be created from vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapor, chemical solvents, and any kind of gas-powered lawn tools. It also can be caused when weather conditions are hot and dry.

The spokesman for DHEC, Adam Myrick, explains the heightened orange level and its safety precautions: [Read more...]

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell sent a letter to the Senate today, laying out how he thinks they should handle inclusion of a Department of Administration bill in the extended session that starts Monday.

He is asking them to add the bill to the Sine Die agenda, but that will take a two-thirds vote in the Senate. After the conflict that came from the governor’s failed attempt to call them back into session, some senators have said they are hesitant to add that issue to an already-crowded calendar for the next two weeks.

View the letter here.

In his letter, McConnell says:

It is my hope that the Senate will put the events of last week regarding this bill and the governor’s attempt to violate separation of powers behind us and allow an opportunity to include the Department of Administration bill as an amendment to the Sine Die resolution. [Read more...]

Before the end-of-session conflict with the governor, Senator Glenn McConnell warned Senators of “the storm that’s coming.” He was talking about redistricting, especially the creation of a 7th congressional district.

Before that storm, the Senate will review its own district maps next week– after holding a hearing and meetings all this week. They are working from a baseline of 100,551 people per 46 districts, with each allowed a slight deviation up or down from that number.  The staff has submitted its ideas of how those should be divided and populated.

Last night, a public hearing at the Statehouse invited input on the plan compiled by Senate staff. Today, a special Senate panel considers the public input. The Judiciary meets Thursday morning. With a Republican and Democrat split, this group must agree on the map to present to the Senate.

An array of caucuses and committees can offer their opinions on will become the new political boundaries in the state. See other plans submitted, criteria, guidelines on special Senate website.

Speaking for the Senate Republican Caucus, Wesley Donehue is enjoying the possibilities that come with population shifts.

AUDIO: Donehue says GOP will benefit from migration to certain areas of state

Phil Bailey of the Senate Democrats agrees that these areas will see major shifts from rural to urban areas, but that can be construed for either party, he says. “We need to see all the cards on the table first,” says Bailey, referring to the plan preferred by the GOP majority.

Democratic Senators are studying the staff draft this week. Bailey says, party politics aside,  the maps submitted and debated in the weeks to come are being created and reviews in a much different way.

AUDIO: Bailey describes map drawing process years ago

However, redistricting is all about politics, say Bailey and Donehue:

AUDIO: Bailey says power struggles cannot be avoided

Then, because of the state’s racist history, the plan has to meet federal guidelines under the Voting Rights Act.

AUDIO: Donehue explains federal oversight

Ironically, Democrat and Republican leaders say their parties would come out well if a computer devised a non-biased map. The real outcome is up to the South Carolina Legislature– and possibly, the courts.

The Supreme Court closed the case on the governor making lawmakers come back to work this week. She has not given up on the bill getting back to the Senate, however.

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell, in a press release, said he would support taking up the bill that Haley adamantly wants passed. However, his message also admonishes:

As one Senator, I will support efforts to move restructuring forward by including them in the Sine Die Resolution. I hope that the Governor’s attempted unconstitutional actions to this point do not hurt efforts to give the executive more power.

The governor, in her own press release, challenged the senator:

We expect him to be true to his word, and that as Senate President Pro Tempore he will ensure the Senate take up – and pass – these critical government reforms first thing next Tuesday.  The people of this state have demanded this, and the Senate needs to deliver.

When the Senate returns,  it is also tasked with debating redistricting and any budget issues to be worked out with the House.

Haley press conference announcing executive order

Governor Nikki Haley today issued her response to Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell’s legal challenge to her authority.  McConnell has asked the South Carolina Supreme Court to review Haley’s actions in calling the General Assembly back in to finish her priority bills.  McConnell wants to know, ”Can a governor force the legislature back into session to take up bills that were not included in the Sine Die resolution?”

The Sine Die law sets up when the legislature can return after regular session has adjourned — and what can be discussed in that time frame.

Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, House Speaker Pro Tempore Jay Lucas, House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham and other legislators have moved to intervene in the case on the side of the governor.

Gov. Haley, in a statement said: [Read more...]