By Paul M. Weyrich (from freecongress.org)
                                         
There has been a major development in the State of Georgia yet the so-called mainstream media has completely ignored it and even the alternative media hardly has covered it. This past week Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law the most expansive school-choice program in the nation.
                
Unlike similar programs in other States, this program has no demographic restriction. All students are eligible for private school scholarships. The State Legislature set the cost of the school choice budget at $50 million. If the demand is similar in other States that amount likely will rise considerably. All pupils K-12 are eligible.
               
The program is similar to that which was enacted by the State of Louisiana and continues a trend imposing no eligibility requirement for the scholarships. Originally only inner-city students in failing public schools were eligible for school-choice programs. But now Arizona, Vermont, Ohio, Maine, Illinois and Iowa all impose no eligibility restriction. Read the full article

http://kevinbryant.com/2008/05/28/true-immigration-passes-the-senate-goes-to-house-for-concurance/

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINATHE SENATE

For Immediate ReleaseMay 29, 2008 Bryant Comments on Ultrasound Bill Signing Ceremony Columbia, SC - Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) joined pregnancy crisis center representatives from around the state, and the governor today at a ceremonial bill signing. The bill requires physicians to share an ultrasound image with expectant mothers prior to any decision to terminate a pregnancy.“Governor Sanford, by signing this bill today, will reduce the number of abortions in South Carolina,” says Senator Bryant. “This legislation will save children’s lives, and I am humbled to have been part of the fight to get here.” Senator Bryant, who submitted the original ultrasound bill last November added, “When I filed this bill, I could only hope for this outcome. Now the bill is law, and lives will be saved. I am very proud of our achievement” Senator Bryant went on to say, “My primary concern has always been unborn children and their mothers. This legislation is about them and their need for love and support. This is my finest moment in Columbia, and I thank God for the courage to see this fight through.”

###

 

House Votes to Sustain Cigarette Tax Veto

Expanding Government Entitlement Program is Not the Answer

(Columbia, SC) - Today the S.C. House of Representatives voted to sustain the Governor’s veto on the cigarette tax increase/Government entitlement expansion bill. House Speaker Bobby Harrell took the floor to speak in favor of sustaining the veto.

Speaker Harrell said, “Today, over half of all births in South Carolina are paid for by Medicaid. This tax increase will greatly expand that number and also entitle children living in households with an income of $54,000 to have their health care coverage paid for by taxpayers through this Medicaid expansion. Medicaid was created to be a safety net for the poor - $54,000 a year is not poor.

“What kind of message are we sending to our state’s future generations? Using this tax to expand a government entitlement program will set up an expectation of non-responsibility and establish an entitlement society. These children will grow up being taught that it is the government’s job to care for them. We will be setting up an entitlement system that will most likely never go away, and will certainly never fully pay for itself. Ronald Reagan said it best, ‘The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this Earth is a government program.’

“I do believe we need to raises our state’s lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax, but I feel we must do so in a responsible manner. That is why I will work during the off-session on a plan that will raise the cigarette tax to assist South Carolinians in gaining access to health care and insurance coverage. But we will do so in a responsible, sustainable manner that involves the private sector, not an expansion of government entitlements. In this plan, we will take the time to properly evaluate and debate the best method in which to do that, instead of throwing together a plan in the eleventh hour of the legislative session.”

# # #

                                                               
As usual, the bias in the liberal media shows its true colors with this headline: “Anti-abortion license plates unveiled for SC cars” in today’s La-Socialista (The State). We all know it’s not anti-anything that drives us conservatives in the General Assembly. It is our pro-life wish to honor the sanctity of life.
                         
On a related issue, Governor Sanford will hold a ceremonial event for the already signed bill calling for ultrasounds to be offered to expectant patients wishing for an abortion. We all know that the viewing of an ultrasound gives women in desperate situations information for a more informed choice. As many as 85% of women that view an ultrasound chose to honor the dignity of the child and carry the child to term.

Let’s hold our breath and wait. The Senate gave third and final reading to H. 4400 on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 with the amendment described in the previous post on Thursday, May 23, 2008. This is indeed the strongest immigration law passed by any state in the United States of America, including Arizona and Oklahoma. Now the only thing stopping this bill from getting to Governor Sanford’s desk is the SC House of Representatives. If the SC House votes to “concur” it goes straight downstairs. If the SC House votes to “non-concur” then the bill goes to a conference committee. Seeing that we only have 4 more days of this session, I hope our friends in the SC House can vote to “concur”.

We completed and submitted our information on the Anderson Independent Mail’s voter guide. Don’t know why, but my picture does not appear even though I tried to upload it. Maybe we broke the server! I’ve always tried to maintain a consistency in communicating my platform, let me know what you think. To read:    click

Many constituents have contacted me with their concerns over the acceptance of windfalls produced by property reassessments. Upon further research (and assistance from Senate staff), I have found that  South Carolina law remains very clear on the subject. SECTION 12-37-251. (E) says that  “ Rollback  millage is calculated by dividing the prior year property tax revenues by the adjusted total assessed value applicable in the year the values derived from a countywide equalization and reassessment program are implemented. This amount of assessed value must be adjusted by deducting assessments added for property or improvements not previously taxed, for new construction, and for renovation of existing structures.”

Life Stone Materials Announces Operations in Anderson County in the old Straits Steel and Wire building off Standridge Road in the heart of SC Senate District 3!
                     
Investment expected to bring 45 new jobs to the area
                 
The South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Anderson County Office of Economic Development today announced that Life Stone Materials LLC will locate a manufacturing facility in Anderson County.  The company expects to invest $5.5 million and create 45 new jobs in the area.
                  
“We are optimistic that the knowledge brought to this venture will enable Life Stone Materials to become a global player in protective materials,” said Craig Trask, Production Manager of Life Stone Materials.  “South Carolina provides our company with the skilled workforce and capabilities necessary to meet our manufacturing goals and provide our customers with the quality products they demand.  We look forward to a strong and lasting relationship with the Palmetto State.”
           
Life Stone Materials will weave fabrics used in high-performance, protective technologies, including state-of-the-art ballistic solutions for the U.S. military, federal agencies, state, and local law enforcement.  The facility is expected to be fully operational sometime in the second quarter of 2008.
                         
“Life Stone Materials provides high-quality, advanced fabrics for a range of applications including life-saving technologies.  We are pleased that Life Stone Materials has chosen to locate its operations in Anderson County.  This investment is a testament that the state’s skilled workforce and business-friendly climate are working to attract advanced manufacturing jobs throughout South Carolina.  Thanks to the team effort of local and state officials, Anderson County will benefit from this investment now and in the years to come,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
               
“We are pleased to welcome Life Stone Materials to Anderson County and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship. Our area’s leadership is dedicated to fostering the conditions for economic growth and improving the quality of life in Anderson County,” said Heather Simmons-Jones, executive director of the Anderson County Office of Economic Development.
                  
Life Stone Materials LLC is a joint venture by Point Blank Solutions Inc. and FMS Enterprises Migun Ltd.  The company will produce fabrics for both investing entities while utilizing collaborative research and development efforts.  Point Blank Solutions, Inc. is a leader in the design and production of technologically advanced body armor systems for the U.S. Military, Government, and law enforcement agencies, as well as select international markets. FMS has been a leading manufacturer and supplier of technologically advanced lightweight ballistic armor materials since its establishment in 1986.  FMS sets industry standards, using technological innovation and strict quality control criteria.  For more information on Point Blank Solutions For more information on FMS

I want you to close your eyes and picture in your mind the soldier at Valley Forge, as he holds his musket in his bloody hands.
 
He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war.
 
He stands though, with fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this…
 
I gave you a birthright of freedom born in the Constitution and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it.
 
I fought in the snow barefoot to give you the freedom to vote and you stay at home because it rains.
 
I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you remain silent on critical issues, because it might be politically incorrect.
 
I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has stolen democracy from the people.
 
It’s the soldier, not the reporter who gives you the freedom of the press.
 
It’s the soldier, not the poet who gives you the freedom of speech.
 
It’s the soldier, not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate.
 
It’s the soldier, who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag!
                       
Thanks to the soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom of speech, even the blogsphere!

On Thursday (05.22.08) the Senate voted again to put H. 4400 on special order and interrupted debate for immediate consideration on Tuesday (05.27.08)
                       
We worked on several bills this week, may good worthy projects, but the 1,000 pound orangutan in the middle of the chamber is immigration.
                              
Are there any “poison pills” or loopholes? So far, I haven’t been able to find anything worthy of voting against it. I’ve always voted against weak bills on immigration. We can’t take this issue incrementally, this is the last chomp at the apple. There is a very tender agreement with Senate & House Leadership with this amendment. Governor Sanford hasn’t weighed in publicly, but my sources say the office is cautiously optimistic.
                                     
I’ve been scrutinizing over the proposed amendment this weekend and am confident this is the best proposal we’ve seen to date. This bill mandates the strengths of the Arizona legislation. Why not pass the exact AZ law? The Arizona law’s main bludgeon is the revocation of the Arizona’s state license. SC does not have a state business license, so we created an “implied” license to hire. This virtual license is nothing any business needs to apply for or pay for, but this “license to hire” will be stripped if the employer fails to comply with the required verifications. AZ has no fines, yet the effects of the AZ legislation has caused voluntary deportation by illegals.
                      
Here’s some highlights. Here is a link to the complete summary compiled by Senate Staff. Since the actual amendment hasn’t been read across the desk, I’m going to refrain from publishing it as some “tweaking” may occur over the weekend, but stay tuned. When the final draft is introduced, I’ll let ya’ll know.
                   
-The proposed bill:
-creates a 24-hour website and hotline to receive and record information pertaining to violations of any laws or regulations by any non-US citizen.
-creates implementation phases depending on number of employees and whether or not the employer has government contracts. Verification will be required of all employers by July 1, 2010.
-creates a welfare verification process. E-verify cannot be used for any other purpose except for employment verification, so we have to use a different verification for benefits.
-creates a felony for harboring or transporting illegal aliens
-creates a need for registration of immigration assistance services. Don’t understand why businesses assisting employers need to register with LLR, but maybe helps enforcement.
-Makes it a felony to knowingly and willfully make, aid and abet in making, or solicit to make a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in any document in an immigration related matter while providing immigration assistance services.  A person convicted of a violation could receive a sentence of confinement of up to five years and a fine. 
-Expands jurisdiction of State Grand Jury to include immigration fraud
-Prohibits illegals from buying, selling, possessing, or transporting firearms. Sorry, but the Constitutional right to bear arms doesn’t apply to foreigners.
-Prohibits sanctuary and state preemption (sanctuary cities) 
                     
Penalties:
1st offense - suspend all business licenses INCLUDING the employer’s SC employment license, prohibiting it from doing business or hiring new employees for 10-30 days, terminate all illegal alien employees, and pay reinstatement fee up to $1000 (to cover costs of investigation and enforcement); 
2nd offense - suspend all business licenses INCLUDING the employer’s SC employment license, prohibiting him from doing business or hiring new employees for 30-60 days, terminate all illegal alien employees, and pay reinstatement fee up to $1000 (to cover costs of investigation and enforcement); 
3rd and subsequent offenses - revocation of business and employment license (5 year minimum), can only be reinstated after 5 years if employer terminates all illegal alien employees, goes on probation for 3 years and submits compliance reports, and pays reinstatement fee of up to $1000 (to cover costs of investigation and enforcement);

In the Senate Agriculture Committee Wednesday morning (05.21.08) we amended H. 4337 to call for exemptions of stormwater, sediment, or erosion control program for agricultural lands, forest lands, undeveloped lands, and any place, structure, or building or worship.

A few months back, I paid the water bill for our church. The new storm water run-off fee of $65.33 is more than 1/2 the total water bill.

You  may be unaware, but I’m the treasurer for Concord Community Church, a non-denonminational Bible Fellowshop.  I know what you’re thinking, what kind of Church allows a politician to steward over the checkbook, but I’m the guy for now.

 Spending may be capped in the spending caps constitutional amendment. I offered two amendments to the spending caps bill today.

1-This amendment was a simple automatic tax refund to the overcharged taxpayer if the following criteria are met: “When the balance in the Budget Stabilization Fund is greater than 15% of the prior year’s actual general fund revenue collection and when the big spenders have grown government to match the 10 year projections (roughly 4.5%), then the taxpayer will get an automatic refund. I’m sure you guessed it, my amendment was tabled.

2- When the balance in the Budget Stabilization Fund is greater than 15% of the prior year’s actual general fund revenue collection and when the big spenders have grown government to match the 10 year projections (roughly 4.5%), then the overage may be used in the following ways: 1-rax refund (don’t hold your breath 2-debt retirement (blue face yet?) or 3-capital improvements or a combination of 2 or 3 of these options. Unless the SC Legislature has a Goldwater moment, you and I know the money will be spent in a slush orgy with the capital projects. But, we’ll have one more item to hold up as a justification for tax cuts. This amendment passed, and the bill got 2^nd reading, but fell short of the necessary 2/3 vote to amendment the constitution.

The Budget Stabilization Fund may be OK. It keeps us from the current roller coaster ride of up and down years. One piece of the puzzle does give me pause. The big revenue years are the only time we can ever get any form of tax relief passed. If we get into this steady growth, we may have an even harder time to persuade the Legislature to cut taxes. Of course ya’ll know, selling tax cuts in Columbia is like selling Antabuse on skid row. No one’s interested.

Keep in mind that the cap is a ceiling, not a floor. Even with this amendment the Legislature could have a Goldwater moment and cut taxes and cut government down to essential constitutional functions.

Interestingly, this week the Senate has made efforts to pass meaningful immigration reform for the 4^th time and what-do-you-know, we have foreign workers on the back steps of the Statehouse. Unable to speak English, we don’t know if these workers are legal. If they are, I’m all for their privilege to live here, work here, and participate in our wonderful quality of life. But at this time, we don’t know. Palmetto Scoop and Fits News have posed this  question so I’ve asked the Clerk’s office to research this matter. This contract is the obligation of the Budget & Control Board (you know the one we’re trying to abolish). The contractor has confirmed that all of his employees confirm to the law. I’d like to know what documents are being used to verify the legality. Are these workers United States Citizens, verified with e-verify, or verified with  an i9. Ya’ll remember an i9 is a worthless document full of loopholes.
                  
I don’t know if we can force the contractor to tell us, but we’ll continue to pursue and get you some answers. I’ve put in a request to find out the documentation of these workers. I’ll let ya’ll know our findings.

The California Supreme Court ruled to recognize gay marriage. Unfortunately, the California Court acted to preempt the wishes of the citizens of California. California will have a similar decision to amend their constitution in the future.
                 
This will not occur in South Carolina because in 2006 SC voted to add an amendment to our constitution defining marriage as one man and one woman. Many argued that this amendment was not important, yet had we not amended our constitution, any liberal activist court could have done the same in our state.
                     
A flaming liberal will whine, why can’t we allow those that love each other to be married? One man & one woman, man & man, woman & woman, 2 men & 4 women, a house cat & a woman & her sister, 3 men and a cow…I don’t have the room on this site to give all of their perverted examples.
                    
Out of respect for the Creator’s most sacred institution, the Palmetto State’s Constitution strengthens marriage, society’s foundational establishment. God even uses marriage to define the relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. Government must honor marriage as the union between one man and one woman.
                  
‘EQUAL’ | Ruling could be reversed by amendment
May 16, 2008 BY ASSOCIATED PRESS
                  
SAN FRANCISCO—- Even as same-sex couples across California begin making plans to tie the knot, opponents are redoubling their efforts to make sure wedding bells never ring for gay couples in the nation’s most populous state.
               
A conservative group said it would ask California’s Supreme Court to postpone putting its decision legalizing gay marriage into effect until after the fall election. That’s when voters will likely have a chance to weigh in on a proposed amendment to California’s constitution that would bar same-sex couples from getting married.
                    
If the court does not grant the request, gay marriages could begin in California in as little as 30 days, the time it typically takes for the justices’ opinions to become final.
                  
”We’re obviously very disappointed in the decision,” said Glen Lavy, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is pushing for the stay. ”The remedy is a constitutional amendment.”
                       
With a stroke of a pen Thursday, the Republican-dominated court swept away decades of tradition and said there was no legally justifiable reason why the state should withhold the institution of marriage because of a couple’s sexual orientation.

Columbia SC - Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test was pronounced dead today in the chamber of the South Carolina Senate. PACT was 10 years old and resided at 1429 Senate Street in Columbia. PACT’s life was in jeopardy since 2006 as Superintendent of Education Jim Rex issued a death threat upon election. Dr. Rex backed down from this threat, yet several members of the Legislature took up the assassination task. Sen. Greg Ryberg, an avid enemy of PACT wasn’t willing to cooperate until he was convinced that PACT would never be replaced with an even greater bully of our teachers and kids. Sen. Ryberg chose to kill EMSAP, another proposed test, at the same time. With a double barrel shotgun over his shoulder, Sen. Ryberg said “…Replacing PACT with EMSAP is like swapping Capone for Dillinger…I chose to kill them both”. The body will be prepared at Conference Committee Mortuary and then buried in the Sanford Cemetery in the Lower Level of the Statehouse. Details of the funeral will be published as they develop.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
THE SENATE

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2008

Bryant Comments on Signing of Ultrasound Bill

Columbia, SC - Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) offered the following comments today concerning the Governor’s recent signing of the “Ultrasound Bill” (H.3355).

“By the Governor signing this bill the state has taken a giant step in the right direction in recognizing the sanctity of human life. This bill will allow women to make a more informed choice about decisions related to their pregnancy.”

Senator Bryant was the first to introduce legislation similar to the bill Governor Sanford signed, which establishes a sixty-minute waiting period after an ultrasound is performed before an abortion can take place. The bill also requires that patients be informed of their right to view the ultrasound. Under the Informed Consent Law a woman has the right to view the ultrasound while it is being performed as well as any time during the newly established sixty-minute waiting period.  

The bill took effect upon the Governor’s signature. ###

For Immediate Release Contact: Kara Borie, SCDOC, 803-737-1998 Cross Country Home Services to Locate Customer Care Facility in Anderson$3 Million Investment to Bring 350 Jobs to Anderson County COLUMBIA, S.C. – May 13, 2008 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Anderson County Office of Economic Development announced today that Cross Country Home Services (CCHS) will locate a new customer care facility in Anderson, South Carolina.  CCHS will invest approximately $3 million and expects to create 350 new jobs.   “After an extensive national search, CCHS is pleased to have found a community such as Anderson that provides access to a pool of high-quality prospective employees, an existing facility that meets our needs and a supportive state and local government,” said Sandra Finn, President, CCHS.  “At CCHS, we realize that our most important asset is our people. We believe that our friendly, family-oriented culture that develops the skills of its employees will attract the best and the brightest from the community.  Our goal is to become an employer of choice for the residents of Anderson and its surrounding communities.” “As we work to compete in the global marketplace, our state’s ability to attract new investment and jobs is increasingly important.  Today’s announcement of Cross Country Home Services’ decision to create 350 jobs here certainly speaks to our success in that regard, as well as to our efforts to enhance the economic soil conditions to encourage business growth.  We remain committed to continuing these efforts to keep growing the state’s economy and creating opportunity throughout South Carolina,” said Gov. Mark Sanford. “Cross Country Home Services is a leading provider of home warranties, service plans, and assistance programs with nearly 30 years of experience and major national and regional clients.  Their decision to locate in Anderson County is another sign that our state’s business-friendly climate is working to attract investment that will positively impact the state and local economy with new jobs.  Thanks to the team efforts of state and local officials, Anderson County will benefit from this investment,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.  Heather Jones, Anderson County Director of Economic Development, remarked, “I want to congratulate Cross Country Home Services on the decision to locate its customer care center in Anderson County at the Windsor Place Shopping Center.  I’m delighted at the addition of such a highly successful company and its ability to provide quality new jobs to residents of our county.”  Dallas based consulting firm, Site Selection Group, Inc. was hired by CCHS to conduct a national site selection search to identify the community most compatible with the company’s operating requirements in the areas of labor availability, real estate and economic incentives.  “This announcement ends a two year national site selection search for our client.  Our search results and analysis identified Anderson, S.C. as offering our client the best strategic location, favorable business climate, ample skilled workforce with low competitive saturation and an equitable incentive package.  Placing this $3 million investment and these 350 jobs in Anderson, South Carolina is a win-win for all parties,” said Christine Sullivan, V.P. Site Selection Group, Inc. Cross Country Home Services Inc. is the leader in helping companies drive revenue and customer loyalty through a comprehensive set of home warranties, home service plans, and homeowner emergency assistance programs.  For nearly 30 years, CCHS has provided highly flexible, co-branded and private label service programs for major national and regional clients in the financial services, insurance, real estate and utility industries, as well as affinity groups.  The company is focused on operational excellence — from client support, service network management and marketing, to customer service operations and brand stewardship – to ensure that its clients’ programs run smoothly and deliver results.  Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, CCHS is a member of the Cross Country Group, one of the largest privately-held providers of customer service programs in the United States.  For more information, visit www.crosscountry-home.com.   -###-

For the fourth time, the Senate has debated illegal immigration reform. Recently, we acted on H. 3032, an amended bill with a requirement for e-verify for all employers in South Carolina. The Senate could not amend H. 3032, since it was back from the House a second time. Our only option was to “concur” (agree with the House) or “non-concur” (not accept the House’s version). I voted to concur, simply because the last immigration bill sent to conference never survived. If the bill was concurred to, it would have gone to the Governor immediately. The roll call vote to concur lost 20-26. The bill now goes to a conference committee. A conference committee is made up of 3 Senate members and 3 House members.

We now have the possibility of the conference committee passing H. 3032. There is another vehicle on the calendar, H. 4400 that has the chances of passing, yet it would go back to the House, then back to the Senate.

I will continue to fight for any available avenue for true immigration reform.