Sanfords quick to criticize, yet easily wounded by response
October 27, 2008 by senatormcconnell
To advance his image as a budget-cutter, Gov. Mark Sanford recently called on the members of the S.C. General Assembly to forgo their per-day expense and their mileage reimbursement for the extended session now underway to deal with budget issues. This is to reimburse legislators for the costs of hotels, gas, and meals while they are in Columbia on official business.
I realize it’s easy to take shots at legislators, but I declined to join the governor in putting that kind of pressure on a group of public servants, many of whom are not wealthy. I pointed out that legislators make $10,400 a year in salary for their services and $1,000 a month for in-district expenses and, unlike the governor, do not live in a taxpayer-funded mansion with chauffeurs to drive them to work every day.
First Lady Jenny Sanford then wrote a letter to the editor (Oct. 18) accusing me of taking a “cheap shot” at her husband. She went on at great length with a long list of unfair and inaccurate allegations about me and others. It always amazes me that the Sanfords are so quick to criticize and attack the General Assembly and yet so easily wounded by even the mildest response. Read more
SC appetite for spending baffles Smith
October 27, 2008 by senatormcconnell
It’s a movie that House Speaker Doug Smith has seen before – a comedy turned drama with a tragic ending that leaves everyone frustrated.
Giddy with the smell of cash in good times, South Carolina lawmakers send money to every corner of the state. Then come the bad times, and legislators must take back large chunks of the bounty.
With the bad times comes a familiar song and dance, a tune that ends with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle singing never again. And that’s where the story ends. Read more
SC Legislature sends Gov. Sanford $488M in cuts
October 27, 2008 by senatormcconnell
Gov. Mark Sanford has until Thursday to decide whether to veto any of the $488 million in budget cuts the Legislature sent him Friday.
The cuts in the state’s $7 billion budget carve deeply into health care and college spending, with health-related programs giving up $160 million and universities and technical colleges losing $123 million. State sales tax collections have fallen short of expectations and legislators returned to Columbia on Monday to put spending back in line.
House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell sent the bill Friday to the Republican governor, who already has misgivings about parts of the plans the Republican-dominated Legislature approved. Read more
Cuts imperil safety, officials warn
October 27, 2008 by senatormcconnell
$2 million slashed from agency that monitors habitual criminals free on probation, parole
South Carolina is gambling with the public’s safety by cutting $2 million from the agency that monitors thousands of habitual criminals free on probation and parole, top law enforcement officials warned Thursday.
Just last month, legislative leaders talked of boosting money for the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, saying the agency is seriously understaffed and needs more resources to effectively perform its mission. But that was before the current economic crisis sent South Carolina’s budget into a tailspin.
Now the struggling agency is facing a deep cut that will leave less money to keep tabs on criminals in the community, monitor sex offenders and perform other duties. The agency has an annual budget of about $50 million and oversees some 48,000 criminals across the state. Read more
State Senate overrides Sanford’s DNA bill veto
October 22, 2008 by senatormcconnell
Senators unanimously overode the Governor’s veto of a bill that would expand the use of genetic information in criminal cases.
Senate President Pro Temp Glenn McConnell says the bill — that would allow DNA samples to be taken when suspected felons are arrested — will protect citizens. He says it will also allow people already in prison to use DNA to clear themselves.
Governor Sanford calls it an invasion of privacy.
The House is taking up the issue later today. Read more
Anxious times for state employees
October 22, 2008 by senatormcconnell
When the Legislature gathers this week to slash the budget, jobs probably will be on the line
They had the budget talk at Sea Grant Consortium the other day, the same one folks at every state agency in South Carolina have had recently.
Rick DeVoe, the executive director, told his staff what’s going on: The state Legislature has to cut nearly half a billion dollars out of the budget, and the governor has asked for a list of recommended cuts.
The good news: Only 11 percent of the budget at Sea Grant comes from the state. The bad news: That’s the money that pays their salaries. Read more
Bilge pump offers clue
October 22, 2008 by senatormcconnell
Discovery another piece of puzzle about fate of Confederate submarine
For years, many people have believed the crew of the Hunley drowned about four miles off the coast of Sullivan’s Island while trying to pump seawater out of its damaged submarine.
It has become the most horrifying — and tragic — image of the world’s first successful combat sub’s final moments.
But it may not have happened that way.
Scientists have determined the Hunley’s elaborate network of plumbing was not set to bilge the Civil War-era sub on the night of Feb. 17, 1864. That means the crew wasn’t pumping water out of the 40-foot sub’s crew compartment in its final minutes. Read more
Discovery another piece of puzzle about fate of Confederate submarine
October 20, 2008 by senatormcconnell
For years, many people have believed the crew of the Hunley drowned about four miles off the coast of Sullivan’s Island while trying to pump seawater out of its damaged submarine.
It has become the most horrifying — and tragic — image of the world’s first successful combat sub’s final moments.
But it may not have happened that way.
Scientists have determined the Hunley’s elaborate network of plumbing was not set to bilge the Civil War-era sub on the night of Feb. 17, 1864. That means the crew wasn’t pumping water out of the 40-foot sub’s crew compartment in its final minutes. Read more
Anxious times for state employees
October 20, 2008 by senatormcconnell
When the Legislature gathers this week to slash the budget, jobs probably will be on the line
They had the budget talk at Sea Grant Consortium the other day, the same one folks at every state agency in South Carolina have had recently.
Rick DeVoe, the executive director, told his staff what’s going on: The state Legislature has to cut nearly half a billion dollars out of the budget, and the governor has asked for a list of recommended cuts.
The good news: Only 11 percent of the budget at Sea Grant comes from the state. The bad news: That’s the money that pays their salaries. Read more
Lawmakers must find $500M in reductions
October 15, 2008 by senatormcconnell
State agencies last week submitted a list of recommended cuts to the governor’s office. Altogether, the cuts make up about $321 million and would result in hundreds of layoffs.
The Legislature may or may not consider these suggestions when it convenes to cut state spending next week.
Here are some cuts that would affect the Charleston area:
The Citadel: $1.6 million. This money would come from delaying a few programs and cutbacks in travel and library funds, as well as leaving open positions unfilled. Some layoffs are possible. Read more
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