Comments on: COMMUNITY UPDATE: May 2008

By: Don Ward

Don Ward — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:57:44 +0000

We really need to abolish voice votes that let those who are perhaps self-interested go undetected and continue to represent not all the people but sometimes self interest and pay backs. Why can we not get every vote on the record so that voters and tax payers can see what many legislators do as opposed to what they say.

By: Jeanne Youngblood

Jeanne Youngblood — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:26:06 +0000

I agree with Tammy. Elected officials should absolutely be held accountable for how they vote on any legislation. Thank you for keeping us informed.

By: james stevens

james stevens — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:27:03 +0000

IMMMIGRATION:
This is a serious problem that really needs a national fix. I believe that the majority of illegal immigrants from Mexico come for work and that the ability to hire these people at low wages and poor working conditions depresses wages and opportunities for citizens. Why can’t we require that employers check a national registry and be penalized for hiring illegals?

By: Teresa Cobb

Teresa Cobb — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:26:31 +0000

I do agree that the legislators should have a roll call when voting on any legislation. By doing this, it will help voters determine who they would vote for in an election. If a leglislator is too busy to vote on leglislation, we don’t need them to represent our community.
Thank you for keeping us informed about what is going on in our community. You are doing a great job!

By: Tammy

Tammy — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:12:23 +0000

We need to be aware how our elected officials vote for any bill not just ones that involve our tax dollars.

By: Mary M. Watson

Mary M. Watson — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:45:04 +0000

Thank you for your service in the legislature and in the Irmo area.
Definitely, legislators should be required to cast their vote so the
public can see how they voted. Retirees understand why the bill
didn’t pass.
Keep up the good work.
Mary

By: Tim Riley

Tim Riley — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:59:55 +0000

Thank you for keeping us informed. I agree that roll call votes should be required on any bills involving the expenditure of state funds. I appreciate your involvement in killing the COLA for the legislative retirement package (wish you could get me in that package though). Regarding the AG’s bill to abolish parole and create a middle court, I agree witht the middle court, but not the abolishment of parole. I am the warden of Tyger River Correctional Institution. Having worked in corrections for nearly 24 years, we have to have some positive carrot to dangle to give inmates goals (i.e. good time and earned work credits). With no rewards, it is difficult to encourage positive behavior. I agree with Director Ozmint that a reasonable alternative would be 70 percent of the total sentence would be a good number for all but the most serious offenses. For those, I don’t argue with the 85 % requirement. At the least, that bill should probably be split on the issue of no parole and middle court.

Thanks,
Tim Riley

By: Will DiMirra

Will DiMirra — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:49:34 +0000

I assume you meant “roll call” and not a “toll call” re. votes on tax bills. It is in the best interest of the public to know how our elected officials vote on taxes.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:38:41 +0000

In regards to the question, “Should elected officials be required to take a toll-call vote on any legislation that spends tax dollars?”, all votes should be recorded. There should be no voice votes.