Statehouse Report - February 1,2008
February 1, 2008 | 2 Comments
This week we had our first “lengthy” debate of the session: comprehensive immigration reform package. (Debated for roughly three hours).
The bill is the broadest attempt yet to make our state less attractive to illegal immigrants. Granted, this is really a federal issue but in absence of action from our federal officials, we must turn off the magnets that are luring these illegals to our state (Note: other Southern states have passed similar legislation thereby “closing their borders” to the problem. We can’t have the problem growing in our state because of our inaction).
What South Carolina can’t do is physically stop the invasion of illegal immigrants from coming into the country in the first place. That is a responsibility that only the federal government. But we can do something.
First, law enforcement agencies must check someone’s legal status if they commit a crime. Second, the law prohibits any area of our state from becoming a “sanctuary city.” Third, it prohibits college admission and public scholarships for illegal immigrants. Fourth, it prohibits illegal aliens from receiving public benefits and employment on public projects. Fifth, it is now a felony to possess false identification papers.
The bill also encourages employers to use the Federal SAVE Program to check if their employees are in the country legally. There is no cost for employers to use this program. If an American is fired and an illegal immigrant is hired in his place, the American worker can sue for his job back. There is no cost to employers to check with the SAVE Program.
The number of illegal immigrants in South Carolina has exploded 15 fold in the last decade, and according to the best estimates, illegal immigrants cost South Carolina taxpayers more than $186 million a year.
We’ve passed immigration bills before in the House,only to see them sit in the Senate. Oftentimes complex legislation (in terms of multiple sections and sweeping changes to those sections) allows opponents to “pick away” at particular section or piece in hopes of ultimately killing the bill. Read more
Fiscal Responsibility
February 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment
John Howard at Super Bowl
February 1, 2008 | 1 Comment
I’m always proud of the accomplishments by members of our community. I’m especially proud when members of my family, many who are also in our community, take a part of us with them on their journeys in life.
Today, I received an email from my cousin, John Howard. John’s grandfather and my grandfather were brothers. He grew up on James Ballentine Road and is obviously a home-grown talent right here from House District 71!
I still remember riding with him in his car one weekend as he took the time to help me distribute yard signs and those large 4×8 signs to members of our community during my first campaign. Looks like he’s going to have another very busy weekend coming up. If you have time, check him out….
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Hello everyone! First, please allow me to apologize for the mass email. I hope you’re all doing well!
As you may know I am fortunate enough to be one of the two Technical Directors for FOX Sports’ game coverage of Super Bowl XLII (This Sunday, 6 PM Eastern - check your local listings! Plug, Plug, Plug!!!) But what you may not know is that my colleagues (rather, CO-CONSPIRITORS) and I are producing another show WITHIN the show. Those of us with web cameras (roughly 10 right now but likely many more by Sunday) will be broadcasting from inside the TV trucks on a special website that only a few know about. You’ll be able to watch and listen to us as we’re producing the game LIVE! Now, most of you included on this email are either TV people or you know me well enough to know what it is that we do. For those who don’t - well, welcome to my world! We call ourselves, and quite appropriately, the TV Monkeys! Please feel free to share this with friends and family, but I do ask that you not post the following links publicly - we simply don’t want to crash the servers!
On Sunday, set your web browser to: www.tvmonkeys.com
Some of the boxes may require a password - it is: foxsports
I am in the box labeled, “Sub-Switch.” For just MY camera I have an individual site already up and running at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/JohnHowardSC
Both web sites offer a little chat box so if you can stop by please say hello and let us know you’re watching! I also have posted a few behind-the-scenes pictures and a blog on my Myspace page: www.myspace.com/JohnHowardSC
DISCLAIMER!!! Always remember that the pressures and stress of making of live TV may sometimes generate a bad word or three from one of the TV Monkeys - never from me, of course - but just be aware of that possibility in case any little ears may be nearby.
Again, I hope everyone is well and certainly hope you will enjoy our coverage of Super Bowl XLII on FOX!!!
John
John Howard
Technical Director
BCS, NASCAR, NFL and Super Bowl XLII
FOX Sports