(COLUMBIA, SC) – Following the decision by the S.C. Supreme Court to void Governor Haley’s recent executive order, Senator Glenn McConnell sent a letter to the members of the South Carolina Senate informing them that the Senate would be returning on June 14, 2011 as scheduled, pursuant to the provisions of the unanimously adopted Sine Die Resolution. He also informed the members that he would offer an amendment to the Sine Die Resolution to add the Department of Administration bill to the agenda for debate.
In the meantime, Governor Haley continues to say Senator McConnell somehow has the power to get the legislation she supports enacted by the Senate. In response, Senator McConnell issued the following statement:
“As one member of the Senate, I hope the Senate will agree to add the Department of Administration bill to the Sine Die Resolution. Governor Haley and I both support its passage. However, despite the Governor’s assertions to the contrary, I do not have the power to guarantee any action by the Senate. If I had that power, I can assure you my bill to allow charitable raffles would not be stuck on the Senate’s contested calendar for a third reading.”
“As to my decision to seek guidance from the Court on whether the Governor had the constitutional authority to dictate the Senate’s agenda, she above all people should understand the purpose of that challenge. In February of this year, Governor Haley rightly stood up to the President of the United States on the Health Care Act that both she and I believe is unconstitutional.”
“She asked President Obama for an expedited Supreme Court hearing because as she said: ‘…while I continue to think that (the law) is absolutely unconstitutional he continues to think that it is. What I’m saying is that we should send this to the Supreme Court and put this to bed once and for all.’ The Governor was right then to ask the Court to settle a constitutional question in a timely manner. However, now she and partisan political operatives attack me for doing in South Carolina what she advocated in Washington only three months ago.”
“On the issue of reform, there is no difference in my position. I said last week that I would attempt to get that bill added to Sine Die if the votes were there. Today I reaffirm my earlier position, and I have informed Senate members that I am offering the amendment as promised.”
“The only thing that has changed is I had to stand up on behalf of the Senate against an illegal attempt to force action by the Senate one week earlier. We can only hope the Governor’s tactics have not damaged the chances of achieving the reforms she and I have both worked for.”
“I am not sure we can ever place a value on the importance of protecting and preserving the Constitution, but I do not think waiting one week is too high a price to pay.”
