Ok, so most folks really could care less; but,I wanted to give you a look at what an actual “veto message” looks like. Below is the message from the Governor relating to H4800 (aka “the budget”). As you can see, there is a reason listed for each veto. Oftentimes, the public only here’s “He vetoed what?” but now is an opportunity for you to read more…in it’s entirety.

Be sure you read my previous post about the past three years of vetoes as well as a recap of how the voting started (last Thursday) and how it quickly ended.

May 28, 2008
The Honorable Robert W. Harrell, Jr.
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Post Office Box 11867
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Dear Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

I am returning H. 4800 , R. 293, the Fiscal Year 2008-09 General Appropriations Bill, with the line-item vetoes detailed below. It is this Administration’s view that, as a nation, we are not yet out of the economic slow down that has driven the requirement for some of the cuts already made by the House and Senate – and those outlined on the pages that follow. At the front end of a slowing economic cycle we believe it is vital that policymakers ensure a balanced budget – so as to not require yet greater cuts in subsequent years. While we hope the national economy will quickly improve, it was former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Gordon Sullivan, who wrote that hope is not a method. Accordingly we propose the attached course of action.

This Administration’s goals for our veto message are based on four primary objectives: (1) correct what is effectively unconstitutional deficit spending authorized by the General Assembly in this budget, (2) replenish the funds taken from the OPEB account this year, (3) replenish the funds borrowed from Medicaid this year, and (4) materially reduce the $161 million annualization hole created in this budget.

In approaching our veto message this year, we have tried to be very deliberate and concise in the number of items we vetoed and the objectives that we believe we can realistically attain in the veto process. Given our more than limited and judicious approach, and what we believe to represent an effort to find compromise between the Legislative and Executive Branches in the budget process, it is our hope that the overwhelming bulk of these vetoes will be supported.

The overarching goal in each of the four objectives listed above is to eliminate spending that we believe is inconsistent with the priorities of South Carolinians in these challenging economic times. The line-item veto is a very cumbersome tool from which to get at spending because many of the more troublesome areas of government are rolled up into entire agency budgets. In those instances, the only way to get at spending is to veto an entire agency or category. Given the meritorious or essential work of other parts of the same agency you can begin to quickly work at cross-purposes. What all this means is that in reaching our first two objectives, eliminating deficit spending and not moving backward in beginning to address our $10 billion OPEB liability, we were able to lay out, I believe, a very reasonable list of vetoes in closing what amounts to about a $70 million shortfall. This was not the case when we moved to objectives three and four, but we continue to feel strongly about the dangers inherent in borrowing $100 million from Medicaid and going into next year’s budget cycle with $161 million in annualizations.

As a practical matter to get to the $100 million borrowed from Medicaid at this point in the process, we would have to veto entire agency budgets. Along with gutting the entire agency, offering these kinds of vetoes would make their passage essentially impossible, and therefore, render the exercise indeed counter-productive. A number of the vetoes that we have proposed, if sustained, would begin the process of replenishing the $100 million borrowed from Medicaid. We would also ask that policy-makers earmark any residuals left aside in the Capital Reserve Fund to replenishment of the Medicaid borrowings.

Our Administration will continue to push for common sense in our budgeting practices, and we believe that borrowing from a critical reserve account like Medicaid and, more commonly, borrowing from a whole host of one-time monies to pay for recurring needs of government – as is done in the annualization process – is reckless. The first order of business in our executive budget in the new fiscal year will be addressing the Medicaid borrowings and annualizations, and it’s our sincere hope that the General Assembly will follow suit.
Positives

Before I expand on the reasons behind these vetoes, [Read more...]

Today, the Governor released his list of 69 vetoes.

I’m not sure if we’ll vote on these tomorrow or instead wait until next week.

Either way, place your bets…..how many do you think will be sustained?

For a look at how vetos have fared over the past three years I’ve been in office, you can visit the links below.

In case you’re wondering, last year 15 (out of 243) were sustained.

2005

2006

2007

UPDATE 2:30 pm Thursday: Things started off pretty much like usual…the first 4 vetoes of the Capital Reserve Fund were overridden…85-16, 81-21, 80-20, and 78-25. And then….I saw something I didn’t see coming (and hadn’t seen before). The first 3 vetoes of Part1A were ALL SUSTAINED…..60-44, 60-49, and 51-59. Yes, you read that right….SUSTAINED 3 for 3 on Part1A.

Folks, that’s not normally how things go here.

Quickly, a motion to adjourn for the came up up so that those who would rather override the vetoes could “change momentum” over the weekend. The adjournment motion barely passed 57-52 and so no more vetoes were taken up.

What does this mean? Pass the Advil, there’s gonna be a lot of arm-twisting this weekend before we return on Tuesday to take up the vetoes again (62 more) on the last week of session.

General Orders No.11

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation’s gratitude, the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN, Commander-in-Chief
N.P. CHIPMAN, Adjutant General
Official: WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.

If you ask my Mom, she’ll tell you when I was in middle-school, I really didn’t want to take meals to the elderly. You can imagine all the other ways I wanted to spend my afternoons but…. Mom always knows best and as I grew older, I realized just how important the service is. Not just to the folks who need the meals but to the individuals and volunteers who prepare and deliver the meals. If you have never participated, I would highly recommend this. If you’re looking for a way to give back to our community, this is one that will have an impact on the giver and the receiver.

I want to especially thank Debbie Bower, Executive Director of Senior Resources (and a member of our community) for the work she does each day for our aging population. Thanks too, Judge Mickey Epting for bringing this program to my attention.

Meals on Wheels are now available in Northwest Richland County

Through a grant award from the Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging with funds originating from the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging, Senior Resources, Inc. received funds to pilot a Frozen Meal Delivery Program targeting seniors in this area. The meals are delivered weekly to those individuals who meet the eligibility guidelines for the program as determined by an assessment process. Individuals receiving the meals have the opportunity to enroll in Senior Resources Inc.’s Good Morning Line service. This service connects the meal recipient to a volunteer who makes regular calls to the recipient to check on their meal delivery as well as their general well-being. The volunteer has access to the agencies Social Work Department if they should encounter a meal recipient who identifies concerns or issues that require the expertise of a trained professional.

The Frozen Meal Delivery Program is an extension of Senior Resources, Inc.’s Meals on Wheels Program. This program is an In-Home service that promotes independence and independent living. The goal is to provide services that will aid the senior in remaining in their own home as long as possible. National studies show that 96% of seniors indicate that they want to age in place, in their own home and in their own communities. In-Home and Community Based Services are key to making this happen.

If you would like more information, or know of someone who can use this service, please call Senior Resources, Inc. at 252-7734 and ask for Information and Referral.

Much has been written about the Cigarette Tax vote over the past few days and I wanted to share with you how things may not always be as easy to decipher as you may think.

What do I mean?

Let’s start with the first vote during the House debate on the revised bill we passed last year. As background, the House passed a 30 cents increase with the money going to offset the (now non-existent) grocery tax. The Senate amended the bill to 50 cents with money going to Medicaid. So…..let’s go through the votes of the day (Yes votes listed first/No votes listed last):

MOTION TO RECOMMIT THE BILL (to committee) started things off.

As is customary if you’re against a motion, you move to table that motion. And so here we go….

MOTION TO TABLE THE MOTION TO RECOMMIT
This passed by a vote of 84-31. Which meant the bill would stay on the calendar and debate could start on the floor.

Now……what does a Yes or No vote there really mean? [Read more...]

Our community has certainly been in the news the past few days. Two items I’d like to share:

Three Schools Receive Red Carpet Awards

Three schools in Lexington/Richland Five have been honored with Red Carpet awards to recognize their success at creating family-friendly school environments and providing excellent customer service. Chapin Elementary, CrossRoads Middle and Irmo Elementary all received the award. This was the third Red Carpet Award for both Chapin Elementary and Irmo Elementary and the second for CrossRoads Middle. Only five schools in the state have received the honor three times.

More than 280 schools applied for the award last fall. Applicants provided written details about their family-friendly philosophies and environments, along with the methods used to self-evaluate those efforts. They also were required to include copies of their schools’ communication plans.

Schools that passed the written application phase were then screened by independent judges who rated how telephone callers and visitors were treated. Judges did not identify themselves during telephone calls or site visits, and site visits were not announced in advance.

Winning schools receive red carpets with the state seal to display in their lobbies, and they maintain their recognition status for a three-year period.

District Considering New Policy Regarding Clubs

The Board of Trustees will discuss and consider at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 27, the approval of a new board policy that will define the district’s relationship with extracurricular clubs and organizations. The district administration has researched how other school districts across the country have addressed the establishment of clubs, and is in the process of developing policies and procedures for the board’s consideration.
It is expected that these policies and procedures will define which clubs and organizations are student-initiated but non-school-sponsored, and which are considered school-sponsored extracurricular clubs and organizations.

The policies under consideration will comply with the federal Equal Access Act, while at the same time making it clear that the district does not endorse those clubs and organizations which do not have as their purpose the reinforcement and extension of the school’s basic curriculum.

The meeting will be held at the district administration building, 1020 Dutch Fork Road, Irmo.

From Today’s State:

Irmo high principal set to resign over club
Eddie Walker says planned Gay/Straight Alliance group violates his beliefs

Irmo High School principal Eddie Walker says he will quit a year from now, citing a conflict between his religious beliefs and the potential formation of a club for gay awareness.

In a letter to the school and the Irmo community, Walker said the Gay/Straight Alliance Club “conflicted with my professional beliefs in that we do not have any other clubs at Irmo High School based on sexual orientation, sexual preference, or sexual activity.”

He added that the school teaches abstinence and a gay-straight club implies students joining the club would “engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, opposite sex, or members of both sexes.”

Walker declined further comment. His resignation would be effective at the end of the 2008-09 school year.

Lexington-Richland 5 officials confirmed the resignation and said they intend to retain Walker as principal throughout the next school year, despite his beliefs.

“He signed his contract,” said Michelle Foster, a district spokeswoman. “His resignation is his decision.”

Last week, the principal was instructed to allow the club to form for the coming school year. District officials said federal law prohibits discrimination against any noncurricular club — unless it is unlawful — if others have been allowed to form. [Read more...]

When you finish #1 in the state one day (Men’s Golf Team wins 4A State Championship)and are ranked #4 in the entire state (all classifications, academics), I’d say you’ve had a good week.

From last week’s The State:

Dutch Fork wasted little time in getting back to the top of Class 4A golf. The Silver Foxes took a 26-shot lead on the first day of the championship tournament and finished with an 897-936 victory against runner-up Gaffney. Dutch Fork claimed its third title in seven seasons, and afterwards, coach Mark Giles talked to The State’s Akilah Imani Nelson about the overwhelming victory.

From Newsweek.com: Dutch Fork ranked 385 out of Top 1,300 schools nationwide. Only three other SC high schools were ranked higher.

Great job, Silver Foxes!

Representative Chip Huggins and I will be recognizing the State Champs from the floor of the State House tomorrow! This is starting to become a habit now with these great golfers!

With just three weeks left before the end of this two-year legislative session, I keep hearing the same question back home “What’s everyone thinking down there in the State House? Is anyone listening to the people?”

They remind me we have a Republican majority in the House, a Republican majority in the Senate, and a Republican Governor but we seem to not be getting what the citizens want accomplished.

They know what “this guy” thinks and what I’m working towards but I can’t speak for the rest of the body. I can only share what folks mention in passing at the grocery store, church, schools, and at neighborhood meetings:

Immigration: Stalled

Cigarette Tax: Stalled

Education Choices (Public or Private): Dead

Restructuring: Stalled

Payday Lending: Dead

Spending: Better (“thanks to less money” coming in)

Jobs/Employment: ?

Let’s see what can happen the next few weeks. If these items above aren’t resolved and passed by the House/Senate, Governor….then, as far as I’m concerned, we have some unfinished business left to attend to for the people of South Carolina.

In case you were wondering what we HAVE done this year (in the House), “Major Issues” can be found here. To be fair, the House and Senate have been working very hard but apparently can’t agree on anything it seems.

Who suffers? You, our state….and maybe some incumbents.

Officer Francis Poncherello (aka “Ponch”) and Officer Jon Baker weren’t there today but I’m wondering how they would’ve voted on this one.

In December 2006 Senate Bill 111 was prefiled and it took 16 months to make it over to the House where it sped through our chamber (lame pun, huh?) and in only one quick month it’s now one step away from going to the Governor for approval/veto.

Do you think motorcycles should be allowed to “count to 10″ at red lights and then proceed with caution through the intersection? (Ok….the bill actually says they must come to a complete stop for 2 minutes, but you get the drift. You can read the main portion of the bill below)

***

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped, or a bicycle rider, approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic-control device, the driver may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider, as the case may be:

(a) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for one hundred and twenty seconds; and

(b) exercises due care as provided by law, otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, and determines it is safe to proceed.”

***

What are your thoughts? (Note: Ralph or other ABATE members, I know your thoughts already. You guys spend more time in the State House than some of my colleagues!)

For information – the thought behind the bill is that our lights are triggered by weight and motorcylces don’t register and so they either sit there or break the law by going on through.