Click here to see the changes we passed this week.

From The State

S.C. schools | Bill targets PACT exams
House backs plan to revamp state’s standardized tests
By The Associated Press

End-of-the-year tests for third- through eighth-graders in S.C. public schools could be replaced with exams that give teachers more detailed and timely information under a bill given key approval Wednesday by the House.

The bill revamps standardized testing that the state’s 1998 Education Accountability Act created. It faces a routine vote before heading to the Senate.

The measure also would replace terminology schools use to describe a student’s progress on those tests.

Many educators dislike Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests because they are cumbersome to grade and provide little detail about students’ academic strengths and weaknesses in math, science, social studies and English/language arts.

Those high-stakes tests, however, are used to rate schools and districts under state and federal accountability laws.

A new, multiple-choice test — called the Elementary and Middle School Assessment Program — would replace PACTs in 2010 and give teachers feedback in a matter of days instead of months, House Education Committee chairman Bob Walker said.

A writing portion, which takes longer to grade, would be administered months earlier, he said.

“When teachers get the test back, they’ll know exactly where the student is,” the Landrum Republican said.

The proposed law calls for the state to pay for students to take practice tests at least twice annually. Most school districts already give such tests, usually done on computers, to give teachers immediate feedback, but the state covers only part of the cost.

The bill mandates practice tests in math and reading in first through ninth grades. [Read more...]

Apparently, my car.

Sure, she’s not exactly in the top-shape she once was, but she still looked pretty good on the outside.

Two hundred and fifty dollars? Are you kidding me? Was I really that cheap to have driven around for years in a car that is worth less than most people’s monthly car payment?

That means the car I’ve spent 10 years of my life in isn’t even worth enough to buy this bicycle as a replacement, or a push-lawmower, or even a pot to pee in!

If that wasn’t enough, it turns out I should have actually taken them up on their offer. After I chose to drive her to the dealer in Rock Hill last Saturday, she never got in gear again and was towed away.

Ten years of getting me where I needed to go and she hung in there right up until the very end!

The dealer told me “Governor Sanford’s got nothing on you.” And so, after getting every penny out of her that I could, it’s now time to start over again.

This time with a six year old model (2002) with “only” 75,000 miles. If this one holds up half-as-good as my last one did, looks like Sarah may be driving a spiffy eleven year old car with less than 200,000 miles on it when she’s a junior in high school. (I’m sure she’s looking forward to that – not.)

First, I want to thank those that took the time to reply to my 2008 Government Reform Questionairre. I personally opened each questionairre and was amazed at the response rate I received this year!

Thank you also for the kind words of support and the way you appreciate the service, openess, and the way I conduct business as an elected official for our area.Since you first honored me as your voice in the South Carolina House, I have often used a questionairre to ask your opinions on critical issues facing our state. This has proven to be a valuable tool while working to accurately represent the views of our districts.

As your Representative, I am committed to doing my part to renew the faith that many have lost in government. Staying in touch and hearing directly from you, the people, is the best way I know to serve House District 71 as well as the entire state of South Carolina.

Now to the results of the responses [Read more...]

Congratulations!

The Irmo Little League’s own Mark Sitterly (Columbia) was chosen to umpire for the Little League Regional All Star Tournament in St. Petersberg, Florida this August 2008. There is no one more knowledgeable about the rules of the game and cares more for our kids than Mark.

Opening Day is April 5, 2008 and I know we’ll see Mark in action at Friarsgate Park where he has volunteered countless hours for our kids!

Many of you are already getting these emails from Master Deputy Sheriff Amanda Lee but some are not. So I figured I’d share what I can about criminal events in and around our community.

I’ll try to forward these updates at least once a month. Feel free to contact her directly (rcsdcatlee@gmail.com) if you’d like to get the details each week.

Feb. 05th-11th:
1 auto break in in Waterfalls community
1 burglary in Heatherstone community off sweet thorn
1 burglary off Gallatin off Hollingshed
1 robbery off piney woods inbound

Feb. 12-18th:
2 auto break ins in the harbison area
1 robbery at the woods apartments in the harbison area
1 stolen car off manor wood in the harbison area
1 auto break in off broad river road near kennerly road at a restaurant
1 auto break in at the YMCA off kennerly road

If these incidents did not happen inside your community, please be aware that they may be happening in areas near your community or areas that you may frequent. In saying that, please have your eyes and ears open to anything that might be suspicious. Call 911 or headquarters at 576-3000 to report suspicious activity, report an incident, or pass along some valuable information. [Read more...]

The latest Winthrop/ETV Poll results were released last week and in the results were questions about “Restructuring”. This is very timely because I will vote on restructuring this week when the House returns to Columbia.

Do the results below reflect your views too? I’m curious to find out.

First, I’d simply say this – I really see no downside in voting to give the people of our state the opportunity to decide for themselves which offices are elected or appointed. That’s really what the bill does. It requires a constitutional amendment which means you actually get the “real vote” (as we did before in the state with traditional marriage and property tax relief). So whether we pass the bill or not , it doesn’t mean those offices are now appointed or remain elected. That decision would be up to y’all.

I’m just thinking, if these results are to be believed below is there really a need to put this on a ballot?

What do you think?

Oh…and for the record, there is no Secretary of Administration….but how many really knew that?

That’s part of the reason why appointing versus electing can be important. Not just for efficiency in government but to be sure the “best” candidate serves. The way it is now on these ‘down ballot’ races, most people really don’t know much about the candidates outside of Governor and maybe Lt. Governor. Is it “fair” that perhaps the most well-financed candidates benefit because they can get name ID out there and their opponent can’t?

I need your help here.

****

Currently, the offices of governor and lieutenant governor are elected separately in South Carolina. Do you think the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor should run together on one ticket or continue to be elected separately?

Run together 30.9
Elected separately 56.3
Don’t know/ Refused 12.8

In South Carolina, we have several statewide elected offices. These include the Secretary of State, Superintendent of Education, Comptroller General, Commissioner of Agriculture, and others. Some people believe that it would increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government if some of these positions were appointed by the governor, while others feel that they should continue to be elected and remain directly accountable to the voters. Which of these comes closer to your opinion?

Appointed by governor 18.2
Continue to be elected 75.6
Don’t know/ Refused 6.2

****

I just came across this and had to put it up here on my site. I’ve never personally met US Congressman Bob Inglis so I have no idea how he is on issues, leadership, constituent service, etc. But I’m gonna say he is definitely “stepping out” raising funds in this manner.

I’m a child of the 80′s and since Bob’s a little older than me, I’m guessing the 70s were his “thang”.

Seriously folks, no candidate likes getting on the phone and “dialing for dollars” but I’m not sure if dialing isn’t so bad as actually Putting on the Ritz for all to see.

As the movie trailer says in the clip, I have “two right feet” too.

By the way, if you’re curious how much elected officials spend during campaigns, you can visit www.followthemoney.org.

The House Ways and Means Committee has finished their work on this year’s budget proposal and very soon each House Member will receive the detailed report on our desk to review.

From The State, John O’Connor
****
South Carolina will balance its budget by cutting state agencies’ funding and borrowing from savings accounts, according to a draft House budget released Wednesday.

“We set up (savings) years before to try and manage the downturns,” said Rep. Dan Cooper, R-Anderson, chairman of the House Ways and Means committee.
***

To quickly summarize what we will see in total…..the Committee is proposing a 4.5% decrease in overall spending from last year.

As usual, I expect several amendments from the House floor during the week as well as several long hours of debate. The full House will take up the budget beginning at 10:30 on Monday, March 11 and continue throughout the week – often staying past 9pm each evening.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to get a copy of the House proposal on line before then for y’all to see at home (if you’re interested).

February 21, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matt Moore
803-454-1134
matt@SCClubForGrowth.com

SC Club for Growth State Action PAC Endorses Seventeen Legislators for June Primaries

Columbia, SC – Today, the South Carolina Club for Growth State Action PAC endorsed seventeen current South Carolina legislators that are seeking election in the upcoming June 10th primary.

Each of these legislators has shown a continued commitment to limited government and responsible spending, while leading efforts to change South Carolina’s antiquated system of government. All earned a combined grade of “B” or better in the Club’s legislative scorecards and cumulatively represent approximately the top 10% of grades for the entire General Assembly.

South Carolina Club for Growth Executive Director Matt Moore released the following statement on the endorsements:

“On behalf of our membership across the state, I’m proud to announce these endorsements. We believe leadership matters. South Carolina’s future generations will benefit from these legislators leading the charge to reform our state government.

Through the support of hundreds of members around the state, we are hopeful that many more change-oriented legislators will join these reformers at the Statehouse next January. We will be carefully monitoring their re-election efforts. Should credible challengers run against any of them, we will urge our members to contribute generously to these endorsed incumbents.”

SC State Senate:

Legislator – District #, Area, Party
Kevin Bryant – 3rd District, Anderson, Republican
Danny Verdin – 9th District, Laurens, Republican
Mick Mulvaney – 16th District, Lancaster, Republican
Greg Ryberg – 24th District, Aiken, Republican
Larry Grooms – 37th District, Berkeley, Republican
Chip Campsen – 43rd District, Charleston, Republican

SC State House of Representatives:

Legislator – District #, Area, Party
Don Bowen – 8th District, Anderson, Republican
Michael Thompson – 9th District, Anderson, Republican
Jeff Duncan – 15th District, Laurens , Republican
Dwight Loftis – 19th District, Greenville, Republican
Eric Bedingfield – 28th District, Greenville, Republican
Herb Kirsh – 47th District, York, Democrat
Thad Viers – 68th District, Horry, Republican
Nathan Ballentine – 71st District, Lexington, Republican
Nikki Haley – 87th District, Lexington, Republican
Jim Merrill – 99th District, Berkeley, Republican
Chip Limehouse – 110th District, Charleston, Republican

#####

You’ve heard me talk of my affinity for my car (and how tight I am with money).

Well, after 10 years of driving a 1995 car, I’ve made the decision that it’s time to part ways.

Let me pause to gather myself, please.

When I was looking through the paperwork tonight (yes, I’m a pack-rat too – another quality passed down from my maternal grandfather, JD Winburn), I noticed that on April 10, 1998 I bought the three-year old car with 27,195 miles.

Almost 10 years later, I’m letting her go with 195,000+ miles showing (note: the speedometer and odometer broke February 2007 so I figure I’m well over 220,000 actual miles).

Now before you think I’ve gone off the deep end and will now have a whopping car payment, I’m actually buying a car that’s ALREADY SIX YEARS OLD (2002) with over 70,000 miles.

It wasn’t so much the fact that I didn’t know how fast I was traveling or how far I was traveling (for the past year)….or the sporadic flashing lights that would come on from time to time, it was the slipping transmission that finally got to me. Having to wait a minute or two before getting in gear isn’t that big a deal and I tried to hang in there the past six or eight months. Over the past few months though, the wait-time had grown to 10 minutes! When Sarah told me one morning last week (while we were sitting waiting for the car to get in gear, hazard lights flashing, and having to wave the neighbors around us in the street) “It’s time to get a new car. This is embarassing. You’ve had this car since I was one”, that’s when I knew it was time.

Karen (my wife) also had previously told me she had enough when she waited 10 minutes one night downtown for the car to “get in gear.”

I want to thank Mike Andrews at Bob Andrews Motors for his help through the years as he nursed every little ding and crack and tried to keep her going.

I’ll introduce him to my “new” car soon and we’ll see if she can make it to 2018!