TUESDAY
HOUSE
Introductions

• H. 4351, by Rep. Kenneth Hodges, to make it the policy of the state to promote microbusinesses — companies with five or fewer employees.
• H. 4352, by Hodges, to establish a study committee to promote and provide funds for the creation and growth of small businesses.

SENATE
Introductions

• S. 1058, by Sen. Larry Martin, to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to abolish the office of lieutenant governor, and to make the necessary changes involving the incapacity or removal of the governor, and the order of succession.
• H. 4253, by Rep. Tim Scott, a concurrent resolution to urge the Department of Commerce to start a business recruitment initiative that emphasized South Carolina’s right-to-work status.
• H. 4299, by Rep. Dan Cooper, to allow spending flexibility among public schools in a number of areas.

Enrolled for ratification

• H. 3488, by Rep. James Smith, to develop a committee to address veterans’ issues.

Amended and adopted

• S. 424, by Sen. Lee Bright, relating to the rights of South Carolinians under the Ninth and 10th Amendments.

WEDNESDAY
HOUSE
Introductions

• H. 4373, by Rep. Dwight Loftis, to set up a state Department of Energy and provide for a director to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, and eliminating the State Energy Office.
• H. 4385, by Rep. Michael Thompson, to reform the board of trustees for the University of South Carolina.
• H. 4386, by Thompson, to set term limits for public university boards of trustees.

Objection to recall

• H. 3952, by Rep. Chris Hart, to place a six-month moratorium on foreclosures and accrual of interest on certain mortgages. Hart asked to recall the bill from the Judiciary Committee, but Rep. Jim Harrison objected.

Sent to the Senate

• H. 3543, by Rep. Joan Brady, implementing a dating violence policy to help local school districts to develop their own policies and to create reporting requirements.

Debate adjourned

• H. 3280, by Rep. Tom Young, to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow the voters to decide as to whether they would support removing the superintendent of education from the number of constitutional officers on the ballot. The bill is scheduled to be taken up again on Jan. 26.

Reported out of committee favorably

• H. 4318, by T. Young, a concurrent resolution to show the objection of the General Assembly to the Federal government’s abandoning of Yucca Mountain as the default storage location for nuclear waste.

SENATE
Introductions

• H. 4303, by Rep. Kenny Bingham, immediate reforms to the Employment Security Commission, including parameters for disqualifying some applicants and upgrading technology.

Reported out of committee favorably

• S. 1034, by Sen. Hugh Leatherman, to extend until Nov. 15, 2010 the deadline by which the Taxation Realignment Commission should submit its report and recommendations.

Motion for special order

• H. 3418, by Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, to require voters show a picture ID when voting. Martin moved to have the bill placed as special order, which failed 26-17.

• S. 391, by Sen. Greg Ryberg, to reform the Employment Security Commission. Sen. Nikki Setzler moved to place the bill as special order, which failed 18-23.

THURSDAY
HOUSE
Introductions

• S. 424, by Bright, relating to the rights of South Carolinians under the Ninth and 10th Amendments.
• H. 4410, by Rep. Alan Clemmons, to establish term limits for members of the House and Senate.

Recalled and sent back to committee

• H. 4385, by Thompson, to reform the board of trustees for the University of South Carolina. It was recalled from Judiciary and sent to Education and Public Works.
• H. 4351 and H. 4352, by Hodges, to make it the policy of the state to promote microbusinesses — companies with five or fewer employees; and to establish a study committee to promote and provide funds for the creation and growth of small businesses. Both bills were recalled from Ways and Means and sent to Labor, Commerce and Industry.

Adopted and sent to the Senate

• H. 4318, by T. Young, a concurrent resolution to show the objection of the General Assembly to the Federal government’s abandoning of Yucca Mountain as the default storage location for nuclear waste.

Reported out of committee favorably

• S. 424, by Bright, relating to the rights of South Carolinians under the Ninth and 10th Amendments.

SENATE
Introductions

• S. 1093, by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, to rescind the current resolution setting a date and time for judicial elections.
• S. 1085 and S. 1086, by Leatherman, to increase from three to five percent the amount of revenue deposited into the General Reserve Fund, and other reforms pertaining to the move; a constitutional amendment doing the same.
• H. 3543, by Brady, implementing a dating violence policy to help local school districts to develop their own policies and to create reporting requirements.
• H. 4318, by T. Young, a concurrent resolution to show the objection of the General Assembly to the Federal government’s abandoning of Yucca Mountain as the default storage location for nuclear waste.

Carried over

• S. 1034, by Leatherman, to extend until Nov. 15, 2010 the deadline by which the Taxation Realignment Commission should submit its report and recommendations. Ryberg made the motion to carry over.
• S. 517, by Sen. Tom Davis, to prevent any part of state government from administratively raising a fee or penalty without said increase first being approved by the General Assembly. The provision would expire on Jan. 15, 2011. The bill was amended, and carried over per a motion by Leatherman.

QUOTES
Regarding letting House Minority Leader Harry Ott talk first on “This Week in the House.”
Bingham: Let him go ahead first, I don’t mind having the last word.

===

On the vote inviting the national commander of the American Legion.
Harrell: The resolution is inviting the national commander of the American Legion to speak to the body. We’re in a roll call vote on it. In other words, it’s a vote of whether or not you’re going to attend.
Ott: And we’re going to hold you to it if you vote yes.
(Laughter)

===

During the debate on the state sovereignty bill.
Sen. Phil Leventis: I’ve probably fired more bullets than you have. Why? Because I used to shoot them at 100 a second. Not for many seconds, but that’s how fast the gun shoots on the plane that I flew for about 20 years. And even though I did it maybe once a week, you know. So, we’ll leave that statement unchallenged that I fired more shells than y’all have, and then the next time we get up, you can assure me why I’m wrong about that.

===

During the discussion of the suit against the Judicial Merit Selection Commission.
Sen. Robert Ford: You know our colleagues in Charleston, our constituents. I mean, they’re always ready to fight.
McConnell: Now, Charleston can create crises around here.

This is why this feature needs to be done after each day the General Assembly is in session. Like a college football team playing its first game of the year, we were a little rusty out of the gate — and absent-mindedly short of AAA batteries for the voice recorder. Regardless, a lot happened in the first week of this year’s session, and here’s a few of the highlights.

TUESDAY
HOUSE
Statement from Rep. Ted Pitts

• Today, on the first day of the 2010 legislative year, it disappoints me that I cannot be there at the opening of what will be my last year as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. If plans do not change, the next time I step on the floor of the House, it will be as a former member. Serving the County and State I love so much in the S.C. House has been one of the greatest honors of my life and the memories and friendships will be cherished. The House truly is a great institution, bigger than any one person and an embodiment of what our Founding Fathers intended, with South Carolinians deciding collectively through a representative democracy, what is best for South Carolina. During 2010, I have been called to serve our State and Country in a different place and on a different front. Like many after the attacks of 9/11, I found myself wanting to do my part to protect and defend the greatness of this Country. It is now my turn to go do my part in the ‘War on Terror’ as a Captain in the South Carolina National Guard, like Luke 12:48 says “To those much is given, much is expected.”

Special presentation

• Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell and the Charleston delegation presented former Rep. Wallace Scarborough with a showing of their thanks for his service in the General Assembly.

Reported out of committee favorably

• H. 4219, sponsored by Rep. Jim Harrison, a censure resolution of Gov. Mark Sanford. It was ordered to be taken up on Wednesday.

SENATE
Introduced

• S. 1040, by Sen. Mike Rose, to allow games of Texas hold ‘em, or any other poker game, to be played at Federal military installations in the state, as permitted by the base commander.

Received from the House

• H. 4022, by Ted Pitts, to provide that firearms, ammunition and accessories manufactured and kept in South Carolina are exempt from Federal firearms laws.

Debate interrupted

• S. 424, by Sen. Lee Bright, relating to the rights of South Carolinians under the Ninth and 10th Amendments. A strike-and-replace amendment to the bill was offered, to address actions by Congress relating to health care and bailouts. The action surprised Democrats, who began a filibuster.

WEDNESDAY
HOUSE
Motion

• Rep. Tom Young requested that the House adjourn in memory of former state Treasurer Grady Patterson.

Introduced

• H. 4298, by Rep. Joan Brady, related to reform of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
• H. 4299, by Rep. Dan Cooper, to allow spending flexibility among public schools in a number of areas.
• H. 4303, by Rep. Kenny Bingham, immediate reforms to the Employment Security Commission, including parameters for disqualifying some applicants and upgrading technology.
• H. 4327, By Rep. Mike Sottile, to provide an exception to Sunday beer and wines laws, so as to allow an establishment already allowed to sell beer and wine to purchase a permit that would allow them to sell on Sunday.

Reported out of committee favorably

• H. 4253, sponsored by Rep. Tim Scott, a concurrent resolution to urge the Department of Commerce to start a business recruitment initiative that emphasized South Carolina’s right-to-work status.

Ordered to third reading

• H. 3279, by T. Young, to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow the voters to decide as to whether they would support removing the secretary of state from the number of constitutional officers on the ballot. It passed, 77-41.

Passed

• H. 4219, by Harrison, to censure the Governor. The concurrent resolution passed with a margin of 102-11. Most no votes were by Democrats who wanted to see a sterner resolution.

Debate adjourned

• Debate was adjourned for two bills relating to the budget until Feb. 2. One was the actual budget bill (H. 3561), and the other was a bill to amend the tax code (H. 3854, by Cooper).
• H. 3543, by Brady, implementing a dating violence policy to help local school districts to develop their own policies and to create reporting requirements. Rep. Walt McLeod wanted to see how much such a measure would cost, and requested the bill be taken back up on Jan. 20.
• H. 3280, by T. Young, to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow the voters to decide as to whether they would support removing the superintendent of education from the number of constitutional officers on the ballot.
• H. 3608, by Rep. David Mack, to establish early voting centers, a way for a voter to register and vote early, and other matters related to the issue.

SENATE
Introduced

• S. 1042, by Sen. Jake Knotts, to allow teachers to administer corporal punishment on school grounds without being subject to civil or criminal penalties, and extending that protection to administrators and the district.

Reported out of committee favorably

• H. 3488, by Rep. James Smith, to develop a committee to address veterans’ issues.

Recalled, sent to committee

• H. 4219, by Harrison, to censure the Governor. Knotts suggested that the bill should go through the normal committee process, and the resolution was sent to the Judiciary Committee.

Passed on second reading

• S. 1027, by Sen. Yancey McGill, to prohibit hunters from using dogs on private property without permission.

Debate interrupted

• S. 424, by Bright, relating to the rights of South Carolinians under the Ninth and 10th Amendments. A strike-and-replace amendment to the bill was offered, to address actions by Congress relating to health care and bailouts. Democrats continued their filibuster.

THURSDAY
HOUSE
Special presentation

• Harrell and the Charleston delegation presented Mack with his Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Picture Award for “going above and beyond” his service to the community.

Introduced

• H. 4336, by Cooper, to extend the deadline for a report and recommendations from the Taxation Realignment Commission from March 15 to Nov. 15.
• H. 4348, by Rep. Anton Gunn, to require minutes of full committees and subcommittees of the House be recorded by voice recorder, archived, available online and to require that votes on all actions be taken by roll call vote.

Ordered to third reading

• H. 4299, by Cooper, to allow spending flexibility among public schools in a number of areas.

Ordered to third reading, as amended

• H. 4303, by Bingham, immediate reforms to the Employment Security Commission, including parameters for disqualifying some applicants and upgrading technology. It passed, 112-1.

Rejected

• H. 3279, by T. Young, to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow the voters to decide as to whether they would support removing the secretary of state from the number of constitutional officers on the ballot. It failed by lacking a two-thirds majority, 72-38.

Adopted and sent to Senate

• H. 4253, sponsored by Scott, a concurrent resolution to urge the Department of Commerce to start a business recruitment initiative that emphasized South Carolina’s right-to-work status.

Debate adjourned

• H. 3280, by T. Young, to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow the voters to decide as to whether they would support removing the superintendent of education from the number of constitutional officers on the ballot.

SENATE
Introduced

• S. 1053, by Sen. Glenn McConnell, to mandate that no fee, penalty or tax can be raised in the general appropriations bill, and only by separate legislation, and to provide exemptions.

Passed on second reading as amended

• S. 517, by Sen. Tom Davis, to prevent any part of state government from administratively raising a fee or penalty without said increase first being approved by the General Assembly. The provision would expire at the end of the session.

Ordered to third reading

• H. 3488, by J.E. Smith, to develop a committee to address veterans’ issues.

Passed on third reading, sent to House

• S. 1027, by McGill, to prohibit hunters from using dogs on private property without permission, as amended by committee.

Debate interrupted

• S. 424, by Bright, relating to the rights of South Carolinians under the Ninth and 10th Amendments. A strike-and-replace amendment to the bill was offered, to address actions by Congress relating to health care and bailouts. Democrats continued their filibuster.

QUOTES
Statement by Sens. McConnell, Billy O’Dell, Larry Martin, Thomas Alexander, and Hugh Leatherman in regard to the vote to adjourn on Thursday.
Today, the opponents of the Sovereignty Resolution, S. 424, who had been engaging in extended debate to block passage offered to conclude the debate on Tuesday if the Senate would adjourn. Those of us who wanted to pass the Resolution did not have the cloture votes to conclude the debate today and vote up or down. Therefore, the offer by the opponents was reasonable and made good common sense. There was no need to sit here today in a filibuster and then be back in a filibuster on Tuesday when we could conclude the matter on Tuesday. To vote against adjournment meant no deal and no end to the debate. A vote by supporters of the Resolution with the opponents today to adjourn assures an end to the filibuster.

This was explained to the other supporters of the Resolution who chose instead to oppose adjournment. That vote, in our opinion, was supposed to apparently make them appear more determined than some of us to pass the Resolution; but, in actuality, their votes, if they prevailed, would have left the Resolution to die in extended debate.

= = =

On H. 4219, the resolution to censure
Harrison: Ladies and gentlemen, we have lived this nightmare for the past seven months.

= = =

As Harrell and the Charleston delegation stood at the podium on Thursday
Rep. Harry Cato: Mr. Speaker, if I knew how to turn you on, I would.
Laughter
Cato: Mr. Speaker, if I knew how to turn your microphone on, I would.

= = =

While speaking in opposition to the superintendent of education constitutional amendment.
McLeod: The Speaker wants to adjourn debate, and whatever the Speaker wants, I want.

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.

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.

School choice: don’t call it a comeback, it’s been here for years. The issue has given birth to some of the nastiest campaign tactics between both sides of the debate. It has gotten supporters and opponents elected. It just hasn’t gone anywhere in the General Assembly.

New York libertarian Howard Rich, who is seen as a benefactor of school choice supporters in South Carolina, has pulled his lobbying money out of the state for the issue, according to sources close to Wolfe Reports. That move is what allegedly led to J.J. Darby leaving the firm Palmetto Policy Group, whose lobbyists represent the leading school choice organization in South Carolina, South Carolinians for Responsible Government.

If true, that move may handicap school choice supporters from the get go this session.

One of Gov. Mark Sanford’s chief legislative priorities, several school choice bills (that is, allowing public money for private schools) have been introduced, but haven’t been successful. The Put Parents In Charge Act was first introduced in 2004. Four more bills were filed in 2005, and only one made it to a floor vote, being tabled in the House by a vote of 60-53. Every other bill, including several bills under the title Educational Opportunity Scholarship Act, died in committee.

But, that isn’t stopping the Governor, who in a recent interview with The State called school choice one of his major priorities this session. There is an expectation that with an influx of freshmen legislators, there will be the impetus in the Legislature this year to get a version of the policy passed.

“Obviously, there’s some new faces in the General Assembly, which we hope will impact the chance of a school choice bills passage,” Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said. “The other thing is that there is a growing realization that what we’ve been doing hasn’t worked.”

Sawyer said that there haven’t been significant improvements in the 10 years since the passage of the Education Accountability Act.

“Everybody at the time said, ‘This will fix it,’ and it didn’t fix it,” he said. “If we’re going to catch up to other states, much less other parts of the world, we have to try a more transformative approach to improving education.”

Rep. Nathan Ballentine, a school choice supporter, said that one of the problems has been that there are legislators that support public school choice, or assistance for students who want to attend private schools, but not both.

“The result – nothing is done and so the status quo wins and, sadly, the ones that lose are the kids and families,” he said. “Personally, I believe there has to be some way we can look past opposing camps and see the debate as it should be – what is best for our children and our state as a whole?”

Rep. Joan Brady, though, doesn’t see a school choice bill having any more success this year than previous bills had in earlier sessions.

“I don’t really think it has a chance. Right now, our main concentration is going to be how to make our schools in South Carolina the best, in a very difficult fiscal year,” she said. “Not to mention, in terms of vouchers, we just don’t have the luxury of reimbursing parents to send their children to private school at this time.”

One of the few Democrats to flip a GOP district in 2008, Rep. Anton Gunn, agrees, while supporting a public school choice plan.

“I would like to believe that the vast majority of the General Assembly knows that what Gov. Sanford proposed in the past was unaccountable, unaffordable and would not help the vast majority of children in our state,” he pointed out. “Secondly, Superintendent Jim Rex already has a plan for public school choice.”

Reiterating that what constitutes school choice is in the eye of the beholder, Sen. Shane Massey said that passing a bill will still be tough.

“School choice has become a very broad term, and I don’t know what might be included in the legislation that is proposed,” he said. “I think the numbers for school choice have improved, but it’s a difficult and complex issue.”