You may be wondering about all the fuss over “COLA” last week at the State House so I wanted to share a little sunshine on the matter.

For several months, the State Treasurer’s Office has been looking into ways to stabilize our state retirement system(s). A Task Force looked into this matter and gave recommendations that were included in a bill that came up last week. When I say recommendations, there was not a recommendation to give a COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) to the General Assembly. That retirement fund is pretty much stabilized. There was a recommendation for a COLA increase to the other TWO plans.

But last week the House passed a COLA bill on a VOICE VOTE that would have provided a 2% Cost of Living Adjustment to three retirement systems in our state: State Employees, Police Officers, and the General Assembly.

I repeat, on a VOICE VOTE the House approved giving all three of those systems a 2% raise.

There was no debate on the House floor.

For many in the Chamber, the General Assembly increase was a surprise. Even for those that would want to support it, shouldn’t there be a floor debate on the merits – especially since many did not even know what the bill did? For many, it was too little/too late to be able to stop that train because the voice vote came and went. There’s debate on why/how a roll-call vote didn’t happen but I do know a legislator asked for one. Was it too late? Was it not heard? Was it withdrawn? That’s all debatable. I do know that when a roll-call vote goes 25-72 one way, the ASSUMPTION is that the next vote (in this case a voice-vote) supports the recorded vote and so a roll-call actually should not be necessary. Somehow the voice vote went the other way than the recorded vote though??

Fortunately, the next day, fifty-eight members of the House then voted to recommit the bill to the Ways and Means committee in hopes the committee could then remove the General Assembly raise and move forward with the other two – State Employees and Police Officers. Bascially, at that point it was the best option to avoid this non-debated, non-recorded vote for a “pay raise” for elected officials. So at least the General Assembly COLA was stopped but what about the other retirees? State employees and Police Officers – their’s was stopped too. To fix that, the bill needed to be amendmend in committee because it could not be amended on the floor anymore.

Now, follow me here….. [Read more...]

I’ve posted before about how well our area represents the state and county when it comes to Law Enforcement so it should come as no surprise how one of our own is the nominee to lead the Department of Public Safety.

From today’s The State

Sanford taps SLED veteran to lead Public Safety

By RICK BRUNDRETT and CLIF LeBLANC – rbrundrett@thestate.com cleblanc@thestate.com

Gov. Mark Sanford has nominated Mark Keel — whom he passed over to lead the State Law Enforcement Division — as his nominee to head the embattled S.C. Department of Public Safety.

Keel, a Barnwell native and 28-year veteran of SLED, is currently one of two assistant directors in that agency, behind Chief Reggie Lloyd and Deputy Director Neal Dolan. Keel had been the No. 2 person in the agency under longtime chief Robert Stewart, serving as his chief of staff and agency lawyer.

If confirmed, Keel would take over an agency that has been in turmoil since Sanford’s Feb. 29 decision that forced the resignations of Department of Public Safety Director James Schweitzer and Highway Patrol commander Col. Russell Roark.

They stepped aside after a dashboard video surfaced showing a white trooper using a racial slur and threatening to kill a black suspect and others showing different types of questionable behavior by troopers.

Legislative Black Caucus members had been complaining for several years about problems within the agency, including discrimination in promotions and disciplinary action.

“Mark brings very impressive qualifications as both a law enforcement officer and an agency administrator, and I think those considerable skills will be put to good use at the Department of Public Safety,” Sanford said.

“In talking to folks in the law enforcement community, what we’ve heard consistently is that Mark is a straight shooter and has real personal integrity, and I think in sorting through issues over at SLED that both of these traits are very important.”

“He has been personally responsible for instituting a number of systems at SLED that line up with what this administration believes about the need for no tolerance for race-based behavior or language, a clear promotions system, and clear standards on procedure and discipline.”

Keel said he is looking forward to the challenge or rebuilding the department’s credibility.

“While I share the governor’s belief that by and large the men and women at the Highway Patrol and DPS as a whole are doing their jobs with professionalism on a day-to-day basis, I recognize that there is work to be done,” he said. “I look forward to beginning that work after the confirmation process.” [Read more...]

This week in my Education K-12 Subcommittee and in the full House Education Committee, we debated a bill dealing with eligibility of high school student-athletes.

Now, if you’re like me, you may initially think “Are we trying to be like Congress and investigate steroids in sports? Is this something we really need to be working on in our state?”

Well, without getting too specific….if you have a daughter who’s been harassed, had her car vandalized, and had to seek protection through the courts….who had to transfer schools to feel safe……who had appeals to the South Carolina High School League rejected…..only to have the other party involved continue to be allowed to play and stay at school……and this young lady can’t play and is moved for her safety…..well, yes, we need to fix that.

Thing is – we’re not fixing it for her. Her season is finished and she never got to play. We’re fixing it for the other boys/girls who may face this situation in the future.

In testimony we heard that the SCHSL “makes tough decisions…many that cost schools state championships.” That may be so, but in this case their decision could have cost a young lady her much more. I applaud her parents for realizing her safety is more important than playing for a high school team. Her parents did the right thing and pulled her from the school where the other party still attended. The move ended up costing their daughter her final senior season.

I hate to think what would’ve happened if they kept her there because the SCHSL’s decision meant she would have to stay in order to play.

During testimony we heard that the SCHSL board approves “more than half of the hardship waivers that are requested”. So, tell me…this instance wouldn’t qualify for that?

A colleague made an excellent point as he wasn’t sure if the SCHSL was to blame but that definitely the school she attended was.

I don’t think the General Assembly’s primary function should be “nanny-government”; however, I don’t get a vote on the SCHSL Board but I do get one here. I’m not a fan of micromanagement but I can sleep knowing this bill would give the LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT the decision on whether an athlete can transfer and not forfeit a year of eligibility…only in the case of abuse, restraining order, etc.

Representative Shannon Erickson (R-Beaufort) was the lead sponsor of the bill. The bill now goes to the full House for debate next week.

Richland County Transportation Study Commission Public Input Meetings

The Richland County Transportation Study Commission will release its preliminary recommendations on April 8, 2008. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback during a series of four public meetings that have been scheduled in locations throughout the county:

Public Input Meeting Dates Area Date Time Place

Downtown: Saturday, April 12, 2008 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Richland County Public Library
1431 Assembly Street

Northeast: Monday, April 14, 2008 6:00 – 8:00 PM Ridge View High School
4801 Hard Scrabble Road

Lower Richland: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 6:00 – 8:00 PM Lower Richland High School
2615 Lower Richland Boulevard

Northwest: Thursday, April 17, 2008 6:00 – 8:00 PM Dutch Fork High School
1400 Old Tamah Road

About the Transportation Study Commission:

The Richland County Transportation Study Commission was created by council ordinance in October 2006. The purpose of the Transportation Study Commission is to analyze the county’s current and future transportation needs and to develop a long-term plan designed to improve the county’s multi-modal transportation network. The Commission’s final recommendations will be submitted to County Council in May 2008.

The 39-member Transportation Study Commission is made up of an executive committee and three subcommittees:

Executive Committee – The Executive Committee is responsible for overseeing the work of the commission and each of its three subcommittees. The executive committee is made up of seven members, three of which also serve as subcommittee chairmen. The Executive Committee is chaired by Dr. Caroline Whitson.

Greenways, Bike and Pedestrian Subcommittee – The Greenways, Bike and Pedestrian Subcommittee is responsible for studying alternatives modes of transportation such as greenways, bike paths and sidewalks. The Greenways, Bike and Pedestrian Subcommittee is chaired by Ken Driggers.

Roads Subcommittee – The Roads Subcommittee is responsible for studying the county’s road and highway network for the purpose of improving safety and addressing congestion on county roadways. The Roads Subcommittee is chaired by Pat Noble.

Transit Subcommittee – The Transit Subcommittee is charged with studying the availability and management of mass transit services, including bus and rail service. The Transit Subcommittee chaired by William Leidinger.

The Transportation Study
The transportation study has been divided into seven tasks. Tasks 2 through 8 will culminate with the publication and adoption of a “technical memo.”

Task #1 : Public Participation (Ongoing)

Task #2 : Existing Conditions

Task #3 : Analysis of Existing Transportation Network

Task #4 : Identification of Alternatives

Task #5 : Alternatives Analysis

Task #6 : Preliminary Recommendations

Task #7 : Funding Options

Task #8: Final Recommendations
Scheduled completion date: May 2008

Contact Information
For more information, please contact Joe Cronin, Research Manager, at (803) 576-2066 or croninj@rcgov.us.

As I’ve stated many times, this is the year of “full disclosure” (or at least attempts in the right direction).

First, it was the Earmark Reform Rule we passed in the House.

Now, sunshine has finally made it’s way to the campaign filing reports of politics. To be fair, since elected officials always get beat up for almost everything (and rightfully so last week), please know that this campaign information has always been available to the public. The reality though was that it took someone with a little time and a little money (not much) to actually get the reports.

Starting with our most recent filing (April 10, 2008) you can now see these reports on-line. Free. Fast.

NOTE: If you’re looking for someone and they’ve haven’t filed yet…they do have a five-day grace period so they’re not out of compliance yet…unless you’re checking after April 15th.

There were two things today that surprised me (and one is sure to get main stream media press) so I figured I’d write about my Education and Public Works K-12 Subcommittee Hearing today and the surprise there.

For four years we’ve debated School Choice in South Carolina and I’m starting to think this might just be the “third rail” of state government.

When I say School Choice, don’t just assume the “Vouchers/PPIC” version of choice which often gets all the press. We’ve had Public School Choice versions as well ( and actually approved a House version last year but then the Governor vetoed it and the veto was sustained).

I’ll admit I don’t know if either one is the “silver bullet” to fix what ails us but I do know we need to at least TRY something, anything. When you’re at the bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up!

Today, Public School Choice came up again (subcommittee) and for the life of me, I don’t know how we (elected officials) can sit back and do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. That’s the definition of insanity.

That’s exactly what we did today. The subcommittee adjourned debate (which in political terms usually means “killed the bill). Rather than send the bill to the full Education and Public Works Committee tomorrow, only five subcommittee members voted on the bill.

I often say Education shouldn’t have an “R” or a “D” beside it and that’s because…it shouldn’t. Unfortunately, there appears to be two camps around here…those that support Public Choice only….and those that support Private Choice/Vouchers only.

Me? I support giving our kids any option for a chance to TRY something different in order to keep from dropping out, help them graduate, maybe even do better on the SAT, and help pull us out of the national cellar in educational rankings.

We heard various reasons for defeating the bill today but the one that bothered me most was that there was a fear that “(the pro Voucher Crowd) would try to ammend it with tax credits” for their version.

What? We’re afraid to pass bills because we’re afraid of what amendments might come up?

We’re afraid to support Public School Choice because Private School Choice might be debated?

We’re afraid to take up this “third rail” because of primaries and general elections this year?

Those opinions really bothered me. Well, actually the other news today bothered me more but at least we might can fix that tomorrow…anyway….

Let’s have the debate on the floor (again) so that our state can see that we, as elected officials, are aware changes should be made and let’s try to come together as to what those changes should be. We can’t keep avoiding the issue and/or not agreeing to do SOMETHING.

Here’s the kicker today…..the bill was the State Superintendent of Education’s bill (D) …..sponsored by a (R)Republican….approved by the State Department of Education (D) who also spoke at the subcommittee and yet it was only one person (Republican – me) who voted in favor of sending to full committee.

When it comes to our State’s Budget, I thought I had seen it all in my four short years. Boy was I wrong! This year it’s a surprise every other day and they’re the kind that would even make your average Days of Our Lives fan head spin!

In the past it was things like the overwhelming refusal to sustain hardly (any) Governor Vetoes; the earmark for Basket Weaving in one county, or the infamous “Green Bean Museum”…and that’s just the stuff I know about. While those certainly raised a few eyebrows, it’s today’s news that’s really gonna make my colleagues (House/Senate) take a serious look about what our state should be spending money on and how we should be spending it.

If you haven’t kept up at home (and I don’t blame you if you haven’t) here’s a quick recap:

Earlier this year, the House passed “Earmark Reform” and that might have helped us not spend as much as we have in the past.

Not to be left out of the “media spotlight”, the Senate Finance Committee wowed everyone by passing a budget $50,000,000 less than what the House passed (Hey, aren’t Senators up for re-election this year too?)

Then, today the Board of Economic Advisors projects a shortfall of $90,000,000 for next year’s budget. That’s $90 million.

Let’s see how the Senate handles that during the floor debate. It’s one thing to fight over excess money, it’s another to fight when there’s less to go around.

I don’t mean to make light of the situation because this is serious stuff we’re dealing with but it does make me realize that unless we stop the flow of money coming into Columbia, not much will change. If money is there, it will get spent.

My fear this is that when we start making cuts, will we remove some of the local/earmarked projects or will we cut from agencies or other areas (state retirees?) who have already seen cuts this year? Of course, my pick is first with the local/pork projects and then, look at each agency as it relates to a cost/benefit to the state. To be fair to future House/Senate conferees, it’s tough this late in the year to take the time needed to look at this cost/benefit criteria. This late in the game, across-the-board cuts are generally the result.

I’ve consistently supported spending cap legislation in the House. This year, it appears the Senate might be open to the idea. While I don’t approve of the money his Hunley Project receives, I am interested in Senator McConnell’s proposal for a Budget Stabilization Fund. Could this be the tool to help the taxpayers and our state from cyclical stress?

If not that, maybe we should go to a two-year budget cycle like other states use? Doing so may also have the extra benefit of shorter sessions for us in Columbia…which in turn generally saves the taxpayers money and may also encourage more filings for people who want to serve. But that’s a conversation for another day…

Columbia resident Eagle Scout Harrison S. Hall stands with his grandfather Eagle Scout Dr. Floyd Hall of Greenville at an Indian Waters Council BSA (Greenville) event April 3 where the elder Hall received Boy Scouting’s highest regional national award, the Silver Antelope. Harrison’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be held on April 27, 68 years after his grandfather earned his Eagle rank.

Columbia, SC – Dutch Fork High School freshman Harrison S. Hall will receive his Eagle Scout badge at a Troop 95 Eagle Scout Court of Honor on April 27. In this day and age when family traditions seem to go quickly by the wayside, Harrison is continuing a family legacy. Each of his grandfathers, Dr. John Timmerman of Chapin and Dr. Floyd Hall of Greenville are Eagle Scouts. Harrison’s uncle, Johnny Timmerman of Lexington and two great-uncles, Al Timmerman and Tim Timmerman of Greenville are also Eagle Scouts. Another great-uncle, Jim Hall of Griffin, Ga. was a career BSA council executive director in Georgia before he retired several years ago.

Eagle candidates are required to plan, manage, and carry out a community service project. Harrison chose to help New Heights Church sod its softball field infield to prepare it for a new youth soccer league last summer. The project involved arranging to have the infield leveled and ready for the sod, obtaining 19 pallets of sod, and recruiting the work crew to put the new turf in place. A total of 182.5 collective volunteer hours went into the project. Harrison remains involved in the project as a coach of one of the leagues youth soccer teams.

Harrison’ Eagle badge is not the only leadership involvement he has experienced. At New Heights Church he is one of the youth group leaders, a nursery volunteer, and a community theater participant. At Dutch Fork High School his leadership involvement includes being listed on the A/B honor roll with honors classes, DFHS freshman board member, FCA club leader, Beta Club and Key Club member, and this spring he was nominated to participate in National Youth Leadership Forum–Law in Washington, DC.

Harrison is a sports enthusiast. He played basketball for the Union United Methodist Church junior boys’ team which came in second in league play and second in the State championship and he’s preparing to tryout for the DFHS JV football team this spring. He has his eyes set on a career in sports, possibly with a law degree so he can counsel young athletes in business and matters of ethics

Harrison is the son of Reggie and Marian Hall. He has two sisters, 14-year-old twin Madison, also a DFHS freshman and 10-year-old Valerie, a fourth-grader at Oak Pointe Elementary.

Wednesday, April 2, is Autism Awareness Day.

I can honestly tell you that, until three ladies came into my life (Lorri Unumb, Lisa Rollins, Marcella Ridley), the only thing I knew (or thought I knew) about autism was from the movie, Rain Man.

Since that time I have learned so much and I’m pleased to see all the national attention for a much needed cause in our country.

The statistics on Autism and it’s impact are truly unbelievable.

In December 2005, I agreed to be the floor leader in the House for a bill that was commonly referred to as “Ryan’s Law”. The bill was named for Lorri Unumb’s six year old son and co-sponsors quickly signed on to give their support. Within months, there were hearings in both the House and the Senate and attention was growing!

Unfortunately though, a good bill with several cosponsors and tons of grassroots support failed to become law that year. The bill ultimately died in the Senate (primarily due to “the M word” – mandate). Some good did come out of the journey that year as Rep. Kenny Bingham (R-Lexington) was able to provide some children in our state with insurance coverage by means of a budget proviso.

The next year, we started over again.

The new bill passed in the Senate first and then easily passed the House. Within weeks, Ryan’s Law became a reality. Both chambers unanimously supported the law and I can still recall seeing the ladies, families, and children in the House Balcony that day.

The work of those three ladies – Lorri, Lisa, and Marcella - had finally enabled hundreds of children in our state to be able to get the services they need to be “mainstreamed” into society. The journey was shared on Lorri’s blog for everyone to follow and others from across the nation were contacting her and her Grassroots Gang.

The ironic beauty in all this was that none of those ladies who led the fight benefited from the new law! How refreshing to see people fight for a cause they believe in when they stand to gain nothing and everyone else stands to gain plenty?

I’ve been a part of some wonderful causes and legislation in my four short years in the General Assembly; but, it’s this journey, these ladies, and Ryan’s Law that will always stay with me.

Tomorrow at 10:00 am the Children’s Trust Fund of South Carolina, Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina, and Voice’s for South Carolina’s Children will Walk to the Statehouse to kickoff Child Abuse Prevention Month. I was fortunate to be able to serve on the Board of PCSA and can tell you that each and every member works for the betterment of our state’s children.

I’m pleased to be able to read this Proclamation tomorrow on the State House Steps.

WHEREAS, Child maltreatment includes the neglect and physical, sexual and emotional abuse
of a child by a parent, caretaker, or other person responsible for that child’s safety; and

WHEREAS, In 2006-2007, there were more than 17,900 reports of child maltreatment in South
Carolina, 39 percent of which were substantiated, including those resulting in a child fatality; and

WHEREAS, Children who are abused, neglected or abandoned by their parents are at significant
risk of entering the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, The State of South Carolina currently has more than 5,400 children in foster care;
and

WHEREAS, Children in foster care who are unable to return home remain, on average, in foster
care 40.7 months before finalization of an adoption; and

WHEREAS, Preventing child maltreatment strengthens families and is less costly than providing
for the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of children who grow up in foster care;
and

WHEREAS, Our state and federal government leaders recognize that child abuse and neglect are
one of our nation’s most serious public health and welfare problems with evidence that there is a link between child maltreatment and a wide range of medical, emotional, psychological and
behavioral challenges, such as unemployment, homelessness, failure to graduate from high
school, juvenile delinquency, incarceration, teen pregnancy, depression, alcoholism, drug abuse,
severe obesity, and the need for special education services; and

WHEREAS, Preventing child abuse and neglect is a community problem that depends on
involvement of people throughout the state; and

WHEREAS Partnerships among social service agencies, schools, faith-based communities, civic
organizations, law enforcement agencies, and businesses are an important part of effective child abuse and neglect prevention programs; and

WHEREAS, This month, and each thereafter, we ask you to help “PROMOTE STRONG
FAMILIES IN YOUR COMMUNITIES” throughout the year.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark Sanford, Governor of the Great State of South Carolina, do
hereby proclaim April 2008 as: Child Abuse Prevention Month.

I urge all citizens to join me in dedicating their energies to cherishing South Carolina’s children
and helping them grow and develop free from neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional harm.