Oh, boy. If you didn’t think the back-and-forth in Washington of this exchange: “You think you know better than everyone! Keep your big government hands out of health care,” versus, “Oh, you mean, ‘Keep your socialist hands off my Medicare,’” was not coming to our state government, you picked wrong. Rep. Tim Scott, who is in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor, is certainly going to be grabbing himself some headlines come January.

Scott sponsored the following bills:

H. 4171: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-15 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IF PROVISIONS OF FEDERAL LAW MANDATE THAT ALL CITIZENS WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS PURCHASE OR SECURE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE THROUGH A RANGE OF OPTIONS ONE OF WHICH IS TO PURCHASE OR SECURE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE THROUGH A PUBLIC PLAN UNDERWRITTEN IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THE PUBLIC PLAN PERMITS STATES TO “OPT OUT” OF THIS PUBLIC OPTION, THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA HERBY “OPTS OUT” AND DECLINES TO HAVE THIS PUBLIC PLAN OPTION APPLY TO OR BE AVAILABLE TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE.

Yes, that’s exactly what it looks like — it makes sure that the Palmetto State opts out of a health care bill that has yet to pass the U.S. Senate. We just love preemption in this state, from seceding under the thought President Abraham Lincoln would have eliminated slavery (which is doubtful, in retrospect), all the way to the last session when Rep. Eric Bedingfield went both barrels with a bill and a constitutional amendment to prevent South Carolina from being involved in a federal card-check law. Come to think of it, this bill has a constitutional amendment filed with it, too.

H. 4181: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, SO AS TO ADD A NEW SECTION PRESERVING THE FREEDOM OF SOUTH CAROLINIANS WITH RESPECT TO THE PROVIDING OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES, BY PROHIBITING ANY LAW, REGULATION, OR RULE TO COMPEL AN INDIVIDUAL, EMPLOYER, OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO PARTICIPATE IN A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, BY ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS AND EMPLOYERS TO PAY DIRECTLY FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES WITHOUT PENALTIES OR FINES FOR THESE DIRECT PAYMENTS, BY PROVIDING THAT THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF HEALTH INSURANCE IN PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS MUST NOT BE PROHIBITED BY LAW, REGULATION, OR RULE, BY PROVIDING THOSE INCENTIVES IN WHICH THE RIGHTS PROVIDED BY THIS SECTION DO NOT APPLY, AND TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE DEFINITIONS.

The bill probably has a better chance of passing than the constitutional amendment, but whether either make it to the Governor’s desk, eh, no guarantee on that one. There will be more than significant support among Republican members, but we suspect there will be intense Democratic opposition. Of course, a win for the Dems will probably add to up a delaying action just to make sure there are no final votes or conference committees or the like.

Speaking of Democrats, Rep. Boyd Brown has a bill in the hopper, to incentivise doctors to take their practice to rural areas.

H. 4195: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 8 TO CHAPTER 111, TITLE 59 TO ENACT THE “SOUTH CAROLINA RURAL PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM” SO AS TO CREATE A LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR LICENSED PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS WHO PRACTICE IN RURAL AREAS WITHIN THE STATE, TO PROVIDE FOR A PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD, TO PROVIDE CRITERIA BY WHICH PHYSICIANS MAY BE SELECTED, TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR THE PROGRAM, AND TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS.

As well, a number of legislators came to fashion a bipartisan bill to address a recent controversy coming out of Congressional votes on amendments to health care legislation.

H. 4198: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-57-115 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNFAIR DISCRIMINATION FOR AN INSURER TO DENY, REFUSE TO ISSUE OR RENEW, CANCEL, RESTRICT OR EXCLUDE COVERAGE, DENY A CLAIM OR LIMIT PAYMENTS, OR ADD A PREMIUM DIFFERENTIAL TO A POLICY OR CERTIFICATE OF COVERAGE ON THE BASIS THAT AN APPLICANT OR INSURED HAS BEEN OR IS PERCEIVED TO HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR MAY BE A SUBJECT OF ABUSE AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES, INCLUDING FINES UP TO TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

This bill’s primary sponsor is Rep. Shannon Erickson, and she’s joined by Reps. Joan Brady, Gilda Cobb-Hunter, Jenny Horne, Rita Allison, Anne Peterson Hutto, Bill Herbkersman and Murrell Smith. As of right now, it’s completely legal for an insurance company to deny you coverage because of previous or current domestic violence. There’s no national law governing this, because, as has been blatantly obvious for some time, insurance regulations are largely left up to the states. So, in case a bill such language in it doesn’t pass in Congress, this legislation is to make sure it happens here.

As the days wind toward the opening of the session, there will likely be more heath care related bills coming down the pike.

As the House and Senate reconvened for the extended session on Tuesday, the politico tweets started back up.

RepAlanClemmons: I’m in Columbia for start of special session. In addition to enabling unemployment comp benefit extension we may have surprises. #sctweets

RepBoydBrown: wrapping up some work, then heading to Columbia for special session

shanemassey: back in Columbia for special legislative session

LtGovAndreBauer: Special session @ noon, staff meeting, and then meeting with SC business leaders.

RepAlanClemmons: Sure works for me! RT @SCREALTORS: @RepAlanClemmons How about Point of Sale reform? That would be a nice surprise!

RepAlanClemmons: Absolutely! RT @Noodles4Nothing: @RepAlanClemmons Plz #help #unemployed workers in #America http://bit.ly/UNQeR

taftmatney: It’s a cold drive to Columbia. I can’t help wondering if we’ll feel a temperature change from any fireworks at the Statehouse today.

stevebenjaminsc: visiting with the General Assembly as they convene to address the issue of Unemployment Benefits

SpeakerHarrell: Headed over to State House to convene the SC House so we can make unemployment benefits fix

SpeakerHarrell: Again, our having to be in session today stresses the need for ESC Reform

johnroconnor: House minority leader Harry Ott asked colleagues to vote against changes to sine die and Eco devo legislation today

EBedingfield: Whips meeting over and I am now in the State House awaiting the drop of the gavel.

johnroconnor: Rep. Ott backs off previous statement, says House Dems will vote for any bill needed to bring jobs to S.C.

henrymcmaster: General Assembly’s emergency session underscores need for new era of cooperative leadership in Columbia http://bit.ly/2QKtY4 #sctweets

AntonJGunn: The House is now in session, “emergency session” that is. I’m ready to help our state. Let’s see who else is ready.

annephutto: Back on the House floor for our emergency session. Getting the unemployment compensation issue resolved — absolutely necessary for SC.

gregfoster_sc: House coming back from break now that unemployment bill set for special order…now the real work begins.

SCHouseGOP: Bill to extend unemployment benefits set for special order. House set to come back into session in 5.. 4.. 3.. 2..

johnroconnor: Text of Rep. Greg Delleney‘s Sanford impeachment resolution: http://bit.ly/14RhWX

SCHouseGOP: House Majority Leader Bingham is explaining the unemployment insurance amendment on the floor: http://bit.ly/3tzMmn

AntonJGunn: Amendment to help unemployed workers in South Carolina was adopted 113-0!

SCHouseGOP: The South Carolina House approves the extension of federal unemployment benefits, 113-0.

NathanBallentin: focus so far has been on unemployment and economic developlment. Rep. Greg Delleney to introduce impeachment resolution momentarily

johnroconnor: Rep. Delleney arguing impeachment resolution can be introduced at any time

dphamilton: Historic moment: Rep. Greg Dellaney files impeachment resolution of Gov. Sanford. http://twitpic.com/n5zjg

SCHouseGOP: Glad to see so many members of the press at the back of the chamber while the House debates extending federal unemployment benefits.

annephutto: Unemployment bill was unanimously given second reading. Now we’re onto Delleney’s resolution.

johnroconnor: Rep. McLeod, a Dem, argues resolution violates sine die rules. “Good name of the SC House is at stake.”

alexstroman: Are Democrats really prepared to support not bringing up this Resolution? @johnroconnor

johnroconnor: Rep. Cobb-Hunter (D) argues against allowing impeachment resolution. “it is clear what the rules say…the time for that will come.”

JKuenzie: Gilda: Avoid “kangaroo court” on impeachment issue. Harrell: Rules prohibit introduction of impeachment measure.

RichlandCoDems: hoping that the General Assembly can address the Unemployment Benefits to help the unemployed here in Richland Co. and the state #sctweets

EBedingfield: Speaker rules Rep. Delleney’s impeachment resolution out of order.

mattheusmei: wow Gilda saves the luv Gov from impeachment today

dphamilton: @mattheusmei there was/is no vote…ruled out of order during this special session. He will have to file it later.

mattheusmei: @dphamilton so you’re undecided on how you will vote?

SCHouseGOP: House will return to session at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

PhilBaileySC: http://twitpic.com/n62gn – Sen. Hutto has added the Argentine flag to his Senate desk collection.

SamPJohnson: surprised that the House could actually take care of business today. If this happened earlier this year we wouldn’t be here now #sctweets

HughKLeatherman: We just passed historic legislation for economic development in our state. We will continue to create jobs during these very tough times.

According to sources close to the situation, Rep. Dennis Moss, whose district covers Cherokee, Chester and York counties, is changing his colors from blue to red and joining the Republican Party.

The move is a win for Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, who, after watching Reps. Anne Peterson Hutto and Anton Gunn pick up Republican districts in the 2008 elections, has seen the House Republican majority return to its previous total. The other pick-up was Rep. Steve Moss winning House District 30 in a special election, 53.6-46.3.

Rumor has it that the other Moss’ win, and the conservative nature of the district, pushed the former Democrat to leave the donkeys for the elephants.

UPDATE: The S.C. House Democratic Caucus released the following statement about the apparent switch:

We would obviously be very disappointed if lifelong Democrat Dennis Moss decided to switch parties. The voters of his district twice sent him to the State House as a Democrat. We believe they would be very upset if he decided to ignore their will in order to pursue personal political ambitions. Rep. Moss has not spoken to Democratic leadership about these reports, so we can neither confirm nor deny the rumor.

Monday’s budget debate included the longest House session of the year, so far. And, it was tweeted.

dphamilton: starting budget week in the SC House today…hang on to your wallets!

EBedingfield: Well, at least we are moving slowly thru this budget mess.

SCLegislator: The pigeons were more interesting than this.

SCHouseDems: Democrats budget agenda: job creation, public education, healthcare. We oppose GOP tax increase on local government under any circumstance.

AshleySHunter: listening to the House pass over every section of the budget. we will be here forever.

SCHouseDems: GOP leader Rep. Kenny Bingham introduces a new ‘fee’ collected by the Dept. of Insurance to increase revenue = Another tax increase by GOP.

AntonJGunn: In the middle of budget process and it feels like I’m in a Seder. They are “passing over” every section of the budget.

SCLegislator: @NathanBallentin The best part of this Twitting is not having to pay attention. (Can you see me waving at you?)

thadviers: at caucus luncheon sitting with the right wing conspiracy members Haley, ballentine, beningfield, Pitts and a few others.

RepJamesSmith: is working hard to make sure the State Appropriations Bill focuses on Jobs Education and Healthcare.

EBedingfield: Here we go again on the budget.

EBedingfield: Why would anyone want to take monies away from abstinence education in SC?

paigecoop: @EBedingfield Because it has been shown that abstinence programs aren’t effective

paigecoop: @EBedingfield. Prime example Sarah Palin’s little princess Bristol

tdkelly: @EBedingfield hmm, let me see. Maybe so that money could go to something that’s actually proven effective?

JoeyMillwood: Question whether or not to take stimulus money on the board in an amendment. Any input?

JoeyMillwood: Stimulus money will be used.

LinBennett: @JoeyMillwood My understanding 95% by-passes SC leg anyway and goes straight to munis and counties? Is that the case? #sctweets #tcot

JoeyMillwood: There were nine of us that voted against stimulus.

dphamilton: Vote for SC to accept “budget stabilization” federal stimulus money passes 108-8. Puts off for tomorrow what should be done today.

gcoats84: @JoeyMillwood wow, keep up the good work, please tell me it was a roll call vote

annephutto: back on the floor for the budget debate

JoeyMillwood: @gcoats Thanks man. It was a roll call.

JoeyMillwood: @dphamilton. I can’t count. Eight voted against taking stimulus dollars.

johnroconnor: S.C. Budget update: About 200 amendments have been drafted, not all on the desk. May not be as long a week as many thought.

EBedingfield: I was one of 8 who voted agianst the Obama debt.

johnroconnor: Just two amendments in K-12 education section of budget. This will be a short week.

KrisCrawford: The attempt to vote against the stimulus money before taking the stimulus money failed. Only 8 voted against taking the money.

KrisCrawford: going to be a long week it looks like. The AV component of ammendment presentatiions seems to be catching on.

tdkelly: @EBedingfield gosh I hope none of that tainted money gets spent in your district.

JoeyMillwood: @gcoats84 I also said thanks earlier for the support.

ccslick: Kudos to u 8 4 being responsible! @ebedingfield, @dphamilton, G.Smith, Nanney, @thadviers, Stewart, @nathanballentin, @joeymillwood

johnroconnor: The John De La Howe school does not get $600k for a new roof. 60-56 tabled.

johnroconnor: Rep. Harry Ott argues budget violates federal stimulus rules because it does not roll back EIA formula cuts from current budget.

SCHouseDems: GOP Rep Millwood Smith Ballentine Bedingfield Hamilton Viers Stewart Nanney vote against accepting Stimulus money. Bet theyll spend it tho!

ccslick: @SCHouseDems They voted against it on principle. I am very proud of their votes and for standing up for what they believe in and know to

johnroconnor: Rep. Dan Cooper says S.C. education spending exceeds federal stimulus spending requirements by .6 percentage points.

johnroconnor: John De La Howe school receives $270k for roof repairs.

AntonJGunn: is looking for earmarks in the state budget. Found some already.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn The Obama camp knows nothing about earmarks, correct?

dphamilton: @AntonJGunn spill those earmarks, lets expose them.

johnroconnor: No amendments in Medicaid section of budget. Done with USC system, higher ed as well. Moving right along.

JoeyMillwood: House plowing through the budget.

adampiper: @JoeyMillwood I think y’all are using a ben tillman era mule powered plow for the budget instead of one of those john deere kinds.

dphamilton: amendments to the budget offered by Democrats today already total over $67 million and counting.

thadviers: i have 5 amds for budget. all are taxpayer friendly that cuts government.

johnroconnor: Rep. Hosey 0 for $42 million on Allendale/Barnwell budget requests. Just gave the “ain’t too proud to beg” speech. #sctweets

adampiper: Democrats trying to turn State Budget into a sluggish spending spree – some things are the same in SC and DC. #sctweets

yvonnewenger: Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston, tries to get $250,000 in budget amendment for Charles Webb Center’s developmentally disabled children.

adampiper: @dphamilton – great question on the floor regarding all children matter – born and unborn. #sctweets

dphamilton: An article about one of the reasons I voted to not take the federal stimulus in SC: http://bit.ly/fXgbk

johnroconnor: House refuses to reduce funding for abstinence-based sex ed programs. #sctweets

dphamilton: word on the House floor is that we’ll be in tonight until 10:00 PM. Glad I brought some snacks.

AntonJGunn: @dphamilton Yes these amendments are changes to the budget bot NOT ONE of them is a “tax increase” or a “fee increase”. Don’t confuse people

johnroconnor: Transparency advocates are not requesting roll call votes on budget sections, though they wanted one for each of 90 sections. #sctweets

AshleySHunter: just found out budget is going till 10 pm. nooooo…. but on a bright note, abstinence works when you are abstinent.

JoeyMillwood: Dems keep putting up amendments that want to spend money, money, money!

JoeyMillwood: Rep. John King’s amendment the latest to fail.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood There you go again twisting the truth. It wasn’t Dems that voted to spend $350 million of the recovery package in W&Ms.

SCLegislator: @AntonJGunn Til 10:00??? Why didn’t anybody tell me that?

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn It was the Dems and I voted against the stimulus, my good man.

JoeyMillwood: Dems keep asking for more money and more money.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood Yeah I know you voted against the recovery but this entire proposed budget before amendments was a GOP bill. All $5.6B of it.

JoeyMillwood: @dphamilton @ebedingfield @thadviers @nathanballentin I don’t think @antongunn realizes that the majority of the Twitter caucus stood firm.

adampiper: #sctweets – Bill Sandifer exchange re: Mark Sanford might be today’s highlight: GOP St. Rep. has not talked w. GOP Gov in 18 mos.

ShannonErickson: Amndmt #170, now-rolling along! Special thanks to Rep. Joan Brady for the red/white/blue cookies-note says “let’s not fight over the crumbs”

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn We’ll never get there with Dems trying to spend all the taxpayer dollars.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood I know what you did, but I am watching to see if you’ll vote against the final budget w/ the recovery money in it. :-) Scared?

AshleySHunter: maybe the twitter reps can ask them to cut the air back. i know there is a lot of hot air down there, but its freezing in the gallery!!!

adampiper: Gary Simril asks #schouse to help @HenryMcMaster fight the water wars. #sctweets

adampiper: @JoeyMillwood @dphamilton @ebedingfield @thadviers @nathanballentin @antongun- Please help @HenryMcMaster w. the Water Wars #sctweets

SCLegislator: Some of my colleagues need to trim ear hair.

JoeyMillwood: Rep. Hosey just pulled down lots of amendments to applause.

adampiper: @NathanBallentin Thanks for helping give @HenryMcMaster a supersoaker to blast NC in the water war.

AntonJGunn: @adampiper You know I meant “can”! “Yes We Can” protect our water supply. I got your back on this!

thadviers: hanging with rutherford, Thompson and Lowe in the anti-lobby of the statehouse.

adampiper: @thadviers is that the anti-lobby or the ante-lobby

JoeyMillwood: Reps. Ott and Kennedy trying to put on a show on the house floor. The Dems end up talking to each other more than republicans.

adampiper: SC Reps and Kennedy should move their sideshow to the lobby and let the House take up real business #sctweets

adampiper: @ebedingfield – can you ask Mr. Ott if he has a fancy GPS unit – since he accused only the Rich Republicans of having one

EBedingfield: Part 1B’s of the SC Budget. The where and how!

johnroconnor: House finished with first section of budget. About 1/3 through, according to no. of amendments. #sctweets

annephutto: Rep. James Smith fighting for National Board Certified Teachers – go Rep. Smith

RepJamesSmith: is pleased the House took bi-partisan action and restored National Board Teacher Certification.

AshleySHunter: according to bakari sellers- sanford has read one book- the earth is flat.

AntonJGunn: its 7:16pm and we are just starting to get to the meat of how your tax dollars will be spent.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn Your computer time is wrong. It’s actually 8:18.

AntonJGunn: @JonJon66 @JoeyMillwood yes my state government computer is so old that it doesn’t keep up with the time changes.

JoeyMillwood: Still going on the budget. Debating education now. Rep. Ott is talking about redistribution of wealth within a school district.

dphamilton: finally a Democrat admits they are for redistribution, thank you Rep. Ott. “I’ll be blunt, this is about redistribution.” –Rep. Harry Ott

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood “waving my finger at you” – there is no conversation about “redistribution of wealth”. He’s talking about backpacking funding.

AntonJGunn: Backpacking is a positon that is supported by the Ed Finance Study Committee and the SC Policy Council.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn Rep. Ott said the he was talking about “redistribution.” What are you upset about? That’s all Obama talks about.

rpagesc: @dphamilton Are they spreading the wealth around? It scares me when you all are in session late in the evening.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood That’s not all that Obama talks about. Never heard him use the word. If you vote for the budget you support redistribution too

PhilBaileySC: @JoeyMillwood Will you be voting for final passage with all that stimulus money?

AntonJGunn: I need to bring a dictionary to the House floor. There is so much selective language usage in here.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn No…He just passes the biggest spending bill in history.

PhilBaileySC: @JoeyMillwood Joey, please vote for it so I can pass your recorded vote onto the Club For Growth (aka your campaign funders)

dphamilton: @rpagesc don’t worry, we took extra vitamins today and we’re keeping a vigilant eye on things…they’re trying to increase weighting

WolfeReports: When Kennedy gets worked up, you just have to watch. Better than television.

dphamilton: @rpagesc they have an amendment to add on a weighting for poverty in EFA funding.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood No he didn’t. Congress did that. Reflect on your High School government class. Congress passes, Presidents sign on veto.

dphamilton: @WolfeReports it is if you have a mute button….don’t know if it comes across on TV/web but he is very loud in the Chamber.

johnroconnor: S.C. Budget debate is now on adding more funding for poorer school students.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood By the way, its still less than what the previous administration spent on wars in other countries.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn Oh excuse me.Obama and the Democrats in Congress passed the biggest mistake in U.S. Gov’t history. You’re making it easy for me.

dphamilton: alright, @JoeyMillwood & @AntonJGunn, break it up fellas.

johnroconnor: Someone’s got Thursday basketball tix if we’re debating school funding formulas at 9 p.m. Monday of budget week.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood Nope. The biggest mistake was Iraq. That mistake has cost us lives and money.

SCHouseDems: @shannonerickson Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran- Rob Miller- is watching these budget votes…

paigecoop: @dphamilton Please don’t break it up, some of us at home are enjoying the @JoeyMillwood VS @AntonJGunn prize fight.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn I guess if you don’t think the rest of the world deserves democracy and freedom from a terrible dictator, you may be right.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn What would Jack Bauer Do?

WolfeReports: @JoeyMillwood That is a very simplistic argument. We coddle dictators all the time, when it serves national interests.

WolfeReports: One more hour left in debate? Should order pizza, mix a drink and celebrate.

PhilBaileySC: @ashmanini It’s cool. @JoeyMillwood is too busy “growing government” right now. He could be very “stimulated” so look out.

AshleySHunter: wants to go home!

ashmanini: @philbaileysc LoL. I am enjoing the lively debate on twitter

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood No I think everyone deserves freedom and democracy. I don’t agree that’s what they have in Iraq.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn That will definitely be true when Pres. Obama withdraws our troops.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood Oh yeah, Bauer would not invade Iraq. He would defend and protect Americans on U.S. soil.

dphamilton: @AntonJGunn & @JoeyMillwood — Just to clarify guys, Jack Bauer is a fictional character.

PhilBaileySC: SC House GOP members to Dem House member’s questions: “I can answer your questions with bullshit and the amendment will still pass.”

JoeyMillwood: @dphamilton Yes…But Bauer is the man. He’s what we should all strive to be. lol.

JoeyMillwood: is tired and happy he didn’t forget his pillow at home.

JoeyMillwood: It looks like we may be winding down.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood The Millwood Motto: Special Pillows and Special Food makes me Happy.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn hahahaha. For everyone following on sctweets, @antonjgunn and I are friends and agree on Lost and 24 and the greatness they are.

EBedingfield: Binding future GA’s in SC to spend money we won’t have. Is that a good thing? I think not!

dphamilton: @AntonJGunn Ha Ha, now that’s funny.

AntonJGunn: @dphamilton Jack Bauer is real. The House of Representatives is in fantasyland.

PhilBaileySC: Look at @JoeyMillwood spending all that government money. Bravo.

AntonJGunn: Its 10:10pm and we are just now approaching the end of section 1 of 90 sections of the State Budget.

johnroconnor: House wrapping up day’s work. More done on first budget day this year than my previous three sessions. About 40% of amendments.

JoeyMillwood: We have adjourned. Will pick back up at 930 a.m.

Thursday, the House spent roughly six hours debating Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell’s bill on requiring S.C. voters to show a photo ID when they vote. The debate broke down along party lines, as debates tend to do in the post-Clinton/Gingrich era, and this was borne out in the tweets.

dphamilton: SC House now debating Voter ID bill…Democrats opposed to having a photo ID in order to vote.
SCHouseDems: Democrats put up 19 amendments to Voter ID bill, going to be here a while. With no cases of voter fraud, GOP wants to suppress voters in sc.
Snead101: @SCHouseDems If Voter ID doesn’t work, maybe they could resurrect the poll tax
annephutto: Voter ID bill being argued. Bakari arguing fiscal impact to the Repubs
dphamilton: Dems using fiscal argument against voter id…I’m sure its a challenge for them to keep a straight face as they talk.
LachlanMcIntosh: SC GOP: proud to carry on the traditions of the old South, like preventing poor people from voting.
laurinmanning: @PhilBaileySC We’ve gotta stop all that voter fraud! (Nevermind that there’s no evidence of any.) Preemptive lawmaking! Great public policy.
AntonJGunn: Watching Chris Hart lay the wood once again on the WMD Bills. Weapons of Mass Distraction from SC’s jobless rate.
LachlanMcIntosh: SC GOP: Partying like its 1899
PhilBaileySC: Do the SC GOP craft their agendas during games of Dungeons and Dragons? Solving fantasy problems in a fantasy world.
boydbrown: after pushing the agenda they have this week, the GOP needs to suppress as many voters as possible… still not discussing jobs in SC
dphamilton: @boydbrown if ya’ll would quit filibustering we could get to other things. BTW, when was the last time govt created a self-sustaining job?
boydbrown: @dphamilton we’re talking incentives to lure industry to the State, something our neighbors do
dphamilton: SC House Dems love to talk about us wasting time on the House floor yet they are the ones monopolizing the House floor all day.
boydbrown: @dphamilton we have to speak up against this junk, or else y’all will continue to set our state back to 1890 standards
Snead101: @dphamilton You’d prefer elected officials simply lay down whenever they disagree with legislation?
mattheusmei: Clemmons is a whiner
AntonJGunn: I am so glad the Justice Department strike down this embarrassing bill we are debating.
dphamilton: @Snead101 no, but don’t claim that argument if you are the group purposefully using the time to filibuster
AntonJGunn: Since SC hasn’t played fair in its elections since 1964 the Justice Dept has to babysit our election laws. This VoterID bill won’t pass pre-
mattheusmei: Thanks @AntonJGunn for just proving that the folks on the other side of the aisle are out of touch with their constituents though not Rush.
boydbrown: making sure all the GOP members show us their ID before they vote on this bill
annephutto: won’t the Voter ID bill just waste state resources when the Justice Department steps in?
annephutto: the voters of James Island and Folly Beach know that voter fraud is not a problem in this state
boydbrown: Ken Kennedy: “We’re going to look at Missouri’s voter ID bill. Home of John Ashcroft… What a guy… What a guy… What a statesman.”
dphamilton: @boydbrown that’s the quote of the day so far.
Snead101: ! Rep. Kennedy tells us how he really feels #sctweets
JoeyMillwood: Now Dems are speaking against their own amendments to keep us here.
Snead101: Rep. Hart may be confusing some GOPhers. I can hear @Joeymillwood now “Hey, this guy gets it!” #sctweets
mattheusmei: Go Rutherford Go, Dems leave the Chamber balk! BALK BALK BALK
EBedingfield: This is now getting stupid. Rep. Todd Rutherford is not doing himself justice with this point!
mattheusmei: The Minority should abandon the Chamber, this is sad and a legislative farce.
mattheusmei: @Ebedingfield he’s making a valid point though, the point of debate is to make points and arguments to change minds not to speak to a wall.
Snead101: Rep Weeks doesn’t get it – South Carolina doesnt care how other states do it, we just want it dumb #sctweets
mattheusmei: @Snead101 which is why the minority party as a show of defiance should abandon the chamber. Collectively walk out as a sign of disdain.
Snead101: @mattheusmei would require that thing commonly referred to as “leadership”
mattheusmei: @Snead101 Rep. Kennedy or Rutherford should lead the charge out of the chamber, or better yet – Cobb-Hunter.
Snead101: Common Sense Amendment to Voter ID Bill – Chance for Success? Slim to none #sctweets
mattheusmei: a decent amendment to an otherwise wretched piece of legislation, and once again folks of white privelege vote it down. #sctweets
Snead101: Rep. Kennedy is stealing my idea, re: Poll Tax #sctweets
mattheusmei: Tod Rutherford speaks Truth to Power and it falls on deaf ears in SC – go figure. #sctweets
SCHouseDems: Is this 2009 or 1959? Voter suppression is not what the people of SC expect from their lawmakers. We should encourage voting, not deter.
AntonJGunn: I dare anyone to show me any proof of voter fraud that warrants this legislation.
notverybright: Sometimes, like today, I emerge from my self-imposed exile from SC politics and am reminded why I abandoned the good fight. Ugh. #sctweets
dphamilton: @twitterdoug really? you don’t think its a problem anyone could take a registration card w/ no picture on it and use it?
Snead101: Strong words by Rep. Williams, OIF veteran, falls on deaf ears in SC House
EBedingfield: We are a long way down the road on Voter ID requirements. Let’s get to the Stop sign.
Snead101: @EBedingfield I agree and look forward to you voting to stop this attempt to suppress votes
annephutto: I like this next amendment — why should it be okay to mislead people about the time and place of the election? Go Bakari, go!
EBedingfield: @Snead101 I would not dare suppress a voter. However, I would ask people to be truthful and open in identifing themselves.
Snead101: @EBedingfield Fair and noble, but that can be accomplished without adding an extra burden on voters
notverybright: @EBedingfield The SC Repub. playbook is so tired: Pretend to be about some other thing because real motivation would make decent people gag.
JoeyMillwood: @tedpitts speaking on Voter ID bill on House floor.
Snead101: Rep. Neal: “South Carolina’s leadership has not changed.” A “problem state for voting rights.” #sctweets
StewartMoore: black caucus is walking out soon.
ShannonErickson: Voter ID bill close to final vote.Debate all over the map. Bill calls for SC ID & protects voter identity- SC to provide ID free of charge.
annephutto: Voting rights are a serioius issue for all of us. Really, people need to stop snickering.
SCHouseDems: House democrats walk out on voter id bill in protest. Press conference in lobby.
Snead101: In short, we should be working to make it EASIER to vote, not HARDER #sctweets
mattheusmei: I think the Minority is going to abandon the Chamber. Good for them.
mattheusmei: GO DEMS GO!!! GOOD JOB!!! ABANDON THIS FARCE OF A LEGISLATURE!
mattheusmei: YAY FOR THE BLACK CAUCUS, STANDING UP FOR SOUTH CAROLINA’S CITIZENS!
dphamilton: apparently the Black Caucus staged a walkout on Voter ID bill…unfortunately choosing to play politics instead of making policy.
Snead101: @dphamilton After being shut out of the process, what choice was left?
mattheusmei: @dphamilton it’s the only thing they could do, you guys weren’t open to a real debate, you were going to have your way or no way.
dphamilton: @Snead101 Shut out? Shut out? Are you kidding me? We heard nothing but their arguments for 5 hours today & 3 hours in committe.
Snead101: @dphamilton “heard” Didn’t give it any consideration, just “heard” Turning a deaf ear doesn’t help create policy
dphamilton: @twitterdoug zero, my point exactly…its currently impossible to prove voter fraud.
dphamilton: @mattheusmei nah, they can state their point like they have for 5 hours today & vote. That is representative democracy.
dphamilton: @Snead101 kinda like whats going on in the US House right now?
mattheusmei: @dphamilton, but you didn’t debate, you let them speak while not listening, and then you just said “No” you didn’t explain yoruself.
dphamilton: @mattheusmei I made my points in committee…don’t want to drag this out any more, I’m not going to change any votes so I used my vote.
Snead101: @dphamilton touché – But the difference is in this case the minority is RIGHT ;)
ShannonErickson: Opponents say disabled & elderly won’t have ID, but the folks I know already have them b/c medical treatment & pharmacies require it.
mattheusmei: @dphamilton. yes you have your vote. but in this instance you are wrong.
dphamilton: @twitterdoug please don’t speak for me, it is not…take a look at Georgia & Indiana who have similar laws. GA Dem vote went up 6.7%
Snead101: I really don’t see the connection between cashing a check, picking up an Rx and exercising the fundamental practice of our Republic #sct …
ShannonErickson: My mom-Jane Smith-nursing home resident- had wallet (voter card) stolen/misplaced first week there. I wonder if it was used to vote?
douglasford: House votes 65 – 14 in favor of giving 2nd reading on Voter ID.
Snead101: South Carolina House approves 2nd Reading of Voter ID Requirement #sctweets
laurinmanning: @Ragley Thanks to GOP leadership for taking us back to poll tax days. Wasn’t a single reported instance of voter fraud in SC in ’08!
mattheusmei: the inscription above SCHouse Chamber should read: Abandon hope all ye who enter, save the white Republican majority

For South Carolinians watching the debate on Tuesday in the House on Rep. Greg Delleney‘s bill on a 24-hour waiting period on abortions (tied to the viewing of an ultrasound), it may have seemed at times like having bamboo shoved under your fingernails would have been a more enjoyable experience. However, legislators, consultants and bloggers were tuned in, and tweeting like there was no tomorrow.

JoeyMillwood: Social Conservative fight taking off on house floor.
JoeyMillwood: Is a 24-hour wait period before an abortion unreasonable? I don’t think so.
AntonJGunn: is in session listening to people debate a 2 visit requirement to have an abortion.
JoeyMillwood: Dems are using lack of females in the House body as an argument against 24-hour wait before an abortion.
JoeyMillwood: Chairman Howard isn’t interested in the lives of unborn children.
JoeyMillwood: Dems think there’s something more importan than protecting the lives of unborn babies.
laurinmanning: @AntonJGunn – love assumption that women are too dumb to think for themselves before 1st doc visit. Perhaps all-male Senate will elaborate.
JoeyMillwood: Rep. Ken Kennedy wants to let his granddaughter to have an abortion if she wishes if she gets pregnant..
dphamilton: Democrats complaining we’re wasting time debating 24 hour waiting period on abortion, yet they are tying up the House floor on it.
AntonJGunn: 2 day wait period debate: This is such a waste of time.
PhilBaileySC: Listening to the Right Wingnuts playing to the base. I guess a discussion on bringing jobs to SC will have to wait for another day.
SCHouseDems: House debating 24-hour waiting period bill on abortions. Wish republicans would talk about creating jobs instead.
LachlanMcIntosh: SC GOP – Appeasing the crazy nut jobs who make up their base instead of helping patriotic hardworking South Carolinians who are struggling
AntonJGunn: Rep. Cobb-Hunter schooling the freshmen on the history of lawmaking in the GA on social issues. You go girl!
AntonJGunn: This is must see TV. All those at home/work turn on ETV.
boydbrown: amazed that we’re in 2009, and the GOP continues to bring up abortion
JoeyMillwood: Dems want at-will abortion, so of course they don’t want females to take 24 hours to think about whether they want to kill an unborn child.
JoeyMillwood: Now Rep. Cobb-Hunter wants to call on fiscal conservatism. It takes us fighting to save unborn children.
annephutto: listening to Gilda argue for women’s rights
JoeyMillwood: Republicans in the House fighting for the rights of unborn children today.
JoeyMillwood: Rep Cobb-Hunter calling out Dems that will vote for the 24-hour wait period before an abortion.
JoeyMillwood: Rep. Delleney makes valid points. You have to wait 24 hours to get married in SC. Why not wait 24 hours before you get an abortion?
laurinmanning: Old white man in SC House telling me that women are the ones leading the pro-life movement in state.
laurinmanning: Listening to Rep. Delleny interpret Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Justice O’Connor would be fascinated (mortified?).
AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood I didn’t wait 24 hours before I got married?
laurinmanning: Go @boydbrown! Bahahaha
LachlanMcIntosh: If this debate were on the networks, SC would turn blue overnight. The SC GOP is out of touch and out of ideas. It’s time for change.
laurinmanning: Fascinating that GOP lawmakers are pro-life yet okay with gutting Medicaid for poor children.
LachlanMcIntosh: @boydbrown Get em’ Rep. Boyd Brown! Expose these guys for this nonsense. Stand up for the people of this state.
laurinmanning: @adampiper let’s see how much unemployment goes up the more access to reproductive care is inhibited
Snead101: @laurinmanning And AGAINST information that prevents pregnancies but FOR information that prevents abortions @sctweets
boydbrown: the 17.5% of unemployed people in Chester County are more concerned about 24 hr wait period for abortions than they are job creation?
Snead101: New favorite characterization of South Carolina government: Horse and Buggy #sctweets #topprog
laurinmanning: We have got to get some more freaking women in the General Assembly. #sctweets
PhilBaileySC: This was said in theSenate in the last abortion debate: GOPSen toDem: please kill this bill,I can’t go home to my wife having voted for this
laurinmanning: Rep. Smith – Are raped women the only thinking women seeking reproductive care? #sctweets
AntonJGunn: Wondering what the Lord thinks about the South Carolina House and this debate. Good thing HE only knows.
laurinmanning: @ragley Still not enough. We have the only all-male state senate in the country!
laurinmanning: I’m going to buy Rep. Delleny a uterus for Christmas.
PhilBaileySC: @laurinmanning He’ll have to disclose that on his statement of economic interest.
LachlanMcIntosh: I wonder if Repubs like A. Young, Erickson, Harrell, and Duncan will make raped women wait for an abortion
PhilBaileySC: My Rep, Jim Harrison just voted to make raped women go through 24 more hours of agony.
alexstroman: RT @cdelleney: I’m so proud of my Daddy and his efforts to protect the innocent life of the unborn.| I am too Caroline Proud to work for him
LinBennett: @AntonJGunn Don’t know what He thinks but I’ll bet He’s not pleased that this even has to be discussed in the first place. #sctweets #sctcot
boydbrown: this was a dead issue in 1992 (I was six) in most parts of the Nation. Thanks SCGOP for helping me realize why we’re in the shape we’re in
LachlanMcIntosh: Erickson, Young and Harrell are out of touch with people they are supposed to represent. Look for Dems to pick up more seats on the coast
boydbrown: I saw Rob Miller wondering around the Statehouse, he must have heard how Shannon Erickson was voting on this bill
laurinmanning: Gilda Cobb-Hunter appreciates Delleny’s retention of what he learned in biology re: # of chromosomes, etc. Bahahaha #sctweets
laurinmanning: SC House’s abortion 24-hour waiting period debate has left me in severe need of a drink on this last day of my 27th year.
Snead101: Delleny doesn’t want to enforce restrictions on businesses, has no problem forcing regulations on women #sctweets
adampiper: @schousedems This is not a “wedge issue” – this is about principles not politics. Y’all are the ones playing politics with the unborn.
adampiper: Protecting the life of the unborn is “Arrogant”??? That what SC Dems think. @tcot @sctweets
JoeyMillwood: I think we should pass a bill with a nine-month waiting period before abortions. In other words, let’s ban the horrible thing.
JoeyMillwood: Rep. Phil Owens going at it on the floor of House for 24-hour wait before an abortion. Dems have stalled long enough.
JoeyMillwood: The fact is that Dems support the abortion of babies. As a father of a one-year-old I couldn’t imagine anyone killing a baby.
AntonJGunn: I am clear that nothing that is being said from the podium today is changing ANYONE’s mind today.
thadviers: still in session debating abortion bill
adampiper: @AntonJGunn – what’s so wrong with 24 hours?
boydbrown: 3rd Highest in the Nation jobless rate… What are we doing to fix this problem? We’re voting to wait 24 hours to have an abortion
JoeyMillwood: The life of a child is more important than the dems have made it out to be today.
adampiper: @schousedems – attacking crisis pregnancy services just ain’t cool. #sctweets #tcot
AntonJGunn: Cobb-Hunter is so entertaining this is must see ETV. I see why she got the Wilkins Award.
JoeyMillwood: Protecting the lives of children is getting on our “high horse,” according to Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter.
laurinmanning: @adampiper attacking women’s access to reproductive care just ain’t cool. #sctweets
laurinmanning: @adampiper assuming a woman isn’t capable of making tough decisions until the state mandates 24hr thinking period is arrogant.
JoeyMillwood: So many Democrats just don’t get it. We protect children in South Carolina. The bill is about to pass.
dphamilton: House votes to pass 24 hour waiting period on abortions by a vote of 83-28.

Like on the first day of school, the S.C. House of Representatives had to deal with some of the basic, and some not so pertinent, issues that come with reconvening for the new year.

One event that many were looking forward to was the hearing of former Rep. Wallace Scarborough‘s complaint involving his campaign versus Rep. Anne Peterson Hutto. As of Tuesday evening, the point became moot when Scarborough announced he was dropping his appeal of the election result.

“I have decided to withdraw my appeal and end my effort to obtain a new election in HD 115,” Scarborough said in a statement. “The South Carolina House of Representatives is faced with many important issues this year, especially given our State’s dire budget problems, and it has become increasingly clear to me that my appeal was going to be a major distraction in the House for weeks to come.”

Scarborough continued, “I decided that I did not want to distract the House from doing the people’s work, and I did not want to polarize the members along partisan lines, despite the overwhelming evidence of illegal voting that took place in my election. I commit to working with the General Assembly to restore integrity and honesty to the electoral process through the enactment of new legislation designed to ensure that only ballots of eligible voters are counted.”

In response to Scarborough’s dropping of the appeal, Hutto said, “I am relieved that this process is finally over and that the decision of the voters of James Island and Folly Beach will stand. Now, I can concentrate on the job I was elected to do. I’d like to thank Wallace Scarborough for his many years of service and wish him well.”

The S.C. House Republican Caucus kicked off things as well, announcing its legislative priorities for the new session. First and foremost among those issues was how to get South Carolina’s economy jump-started, and deal with one of the nations worst unemployment rates.

“The biggest issue facing the state as a whole is the unemployment rate,” Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell said. “We need to be working with Commerce to give them the tools that they need. We need to have the Employment Security Commission share this information with Commerce, that Commerce wants, and make sure that we do everything we can to help them with their jobs to lower the unemployment rate.”

In a statement released Tuesday on the Caucus priorities, Harrell added, “Focusing on these items will help create an environment that will improve our business climate, allow business to grow, enable the private sector to create the jobs our citizens need and help secure South Carolina’s future for years to come.”

Also, the majority will be working toward education funding reform, tax reform, spending limits, infrastructure improvements, addressing voting issues and energy independence.

For South Carolina natives and history nerds, listening to Rep. James Harrison‘s celebration of the legislative service of his grandfather, Wade Cothran Harrison of Greenwood County, was a welcome departure from the usual recognition of friends and relatives.

Rep. Wade Harrison served in the House a century ago, at a time when sessions of the General Assembly lasted less than two months. According to the current Rep. Harrison, he said his grandfather served on the Education Committee, along with the Committee on Roads, Bridges and Ferries. But, that was not all.

In those years, 1909 and 1910, Harrison said he “found a few references to what my grandfather did. It looks like his claim to fame was he was instrumental in creating and building the state hospital for the insane. Now, most of you would say that was very appropriate.”

That was not the end of the story, as Wade Harrison had six sons who served in World War II. Because of the family’s service, Rep. Harrison’s grandmother was given the honor of christening a new ship for the Navy.

Finally, the House, with the support of Wolfe Reports, wished to extend condolences to the family of Rep. Olin Phillips, who passed away on Dec. 27, Rep. Thad Viers‘ father Bill, who went on to his great reward on Jan. 12 and the death of Rep. Seth Whipper‘s son Jasiri.