March 7, 2008
Highlights of the eighth week (Feb. 24-March 1) and ninth week (March 2-8) of the session include legislative action and activities on immigration reform, the new Elementary and Middle School Assessment Program (EMSAP) to replace PACT, and a smoking ban.
Immigration Reform
A panel of three House and three Senate members has been trying to reach a compromise on their different versions of an immigration bill. The panel took no official action but noted and reviewed the differences between the two bills. Both versions require public employers to check if their employees are illegal immigrants. The Senate proposal extends the requirement to private businesses. Another area of disagreement is how to enforce a ban on harboring an illegal immigrant. The exceptions differ in the two bills. The panel believes they can reach an agreement next week.
Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, who filed more than a dozen immigration bills in the past two years, has been appointed tothe conference committee that will resolve differences in House and Senate versions of immigration reform. This is the first time that Rep. Viers has been named to a conference committee in his three terms in the House. He was named to the House team along with Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, and Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester. Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, appoints committee members. Their job is to defend the House version in negotiation with three senators.
EMSAP vs. PACT
South Carolina's end-of-year tests for third- through eighth-graders would be replaced by exams that give teachers more detailed and timely information under a bill approved by the House. It calls for a new, multiple-choice test, EMSAP, which would be implemented beginning in 2010. Under EMSAP, students would take more tests throughout the year, ending the week-long PACT. EMSAP would diagnose students' specific educational weaknesses and empower teachers during the school year to address those weaknesses before they become deficiencies.
Another benefit of EMSAP is that it adjusts South Carolina's calculations of achievement so they will conform to the federal No Child Left Behind law. The law was implemented after PACT was developed and has different measures that cause South Carolina to be rated lower than it really is. The new testing is not a reflection of lower standards. Rather, the change is in wording, such as the meaning of ''proficient.'' The state's ''proficient'' is above grade level, while No Child Left Behind defines it as being at the appropriate grade level.
The bill must also be passed by the Senate and signed by the governor to take effect.
Smoking Ban
A House subcommittee has approved a bill banning smoking in restaurants statewide. The proposal from Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, would prohibit smoking in restaurants, bars, lounges and recreational facilities but would exempt cigar bars and private clubs. Smoke-free advocates oppose the bill because they want the smoke-free movement to start with local bans so residents and businesses can be part of the process.
Subcommittee Chairman Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, is certain the bill won't pass this year because lawmakers are waiting on the state Supreme Court ruling on whether cities and towns can impose the bans.
On the Net
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
SCStateHouse.net
House.gov
Senate.gov
USA.gov
SCChamber.net
USChamber.com
I-73.com
