April 25, 2008
With just six weeks left in the session, legislators will be focusing on pending measures they hope to get passed this year. A bill that has not already been sent from one side to the other by May 1 may not be considered. Even those that are considered may not get passed because of the short time frame to get a measure through committee review and a floor vote.
Highlights of the 15th week (April 13-19) and 16th week (April 20-26) of the session include legislative action and activities on the upcoming state budget, cigarette tax, immigration reform and drunken driving.
FY 2008-2009 State Budget
The Senate approved a $7 billion spending plan for the next fiscal year, cutting $90 million in regular spending and $90 million from a reserve account. Despite a valiant effort from Horry County senators, tourism promotion funds were not restored in the Senate’s version. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman has indicated that tourism promotion would be a top priority when the economy improves. The proposal heads back to the House.
Cigarette Tax
The Senate is delaying further consideration of the proposed cigarette tax increase until May 6.
A Senate panel had approved a 50-cent-a-pack cigarette tax increase (a total of 57 cents) that would be used for expansion of state Medicaid programs and for smoking cessation programs. The funds would generate $158.9 million and could help about 178,000 people who don’t have medical insurance. The proposal must pass the full Senate and then the House before it is approved.
Immigration Reform
A House-Senate conference committee has not been able to reach agreement. The dispute is mainly over how each side deals with its rules. The House conferees want to accept the Senate’s provision requiring private employers to verify immigration status, but it doesn’t want to include the federal I-9 form as an acceptable document. The House version applied only to private employers with state and local government contracts. The Senate says that the rules don’t allow the House to pick among inclusions in the bill. It can take only the whole private employer inclusion provision including the I-9 form or none at all. Still, time remains in the legislative session for both sides to finalize a bill.
Drunken Drivers
Gov. Mark Sanford has signed a law that will increase penalties for repeat drunken drivers and close some legal loopholes that critics said allowed suspects to escape punishment. Under the law, drunken drivers will also face different penalties depending on the level of intoxication.
On the Net
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
SCStateHouse.net
House.gov
Senate.gov
USA.gov
SCChamber.net
USChamber.com
I-73.com
