If you’re reading this but not looking at the video feed, turn it on. What’s going on now is a debate over whether or not to repay the trust and reserve funds raided by the General Assembly over the last several years with current surplus dollars. The proposal puts $173 million back into trust funds that were raided during budget shortfall years. The total amount of dollars is uncertain, but should be at least $275 million and may reach $500 million. After the trust funds are replenished, $13 million will go to school bus purchases, and then what’s left will be directed to our secondary roads in desperate need of repair. I think of the fatal accident earlier this year when a local businessman ran off the dilapidating bridge on Brown road. Could these funds prevent these types of accidents? I would think so.

Next week we’ll have the first chance to discuss eminent domain on the floor. The bill, S. 1038, strengthens South Carolina’s strictures on the use of eminent domain. The salient part of this bill is, “A mere public purpose or public benefit, including, but not limited to, the purpose or benefit of economic development, does not constitute the requisite public use for property to be condemned by eminent domain.”
This eliminates the possibility of a situation such as that in Connecticut where the town took private property and gave it to a developer because, they said, the redevelopment would serve the public good.
I don’t imagine that even the strongest proponents of big government will object to this, but you never know.

Happy Birthday Ann Bryant! Other than that, there’s not much to report from the floor. We have no major legislation on the calendar that is not being held by one senator or another. Indeed, there are only two pieces of legislation without holds on them. This is the norm in the Senate. Despite the rules changes of 2005, a clogged calendar remains a way of life.

I would be interested to hear from ya’ll on any subject of your choosing. I’d be especially interested in your thoughts on some of the upcoming races. Does anybody have a chance against Sanford? What about the Superintendent of Education–are all the candidates true reformers? Then there’s my favorite electoral topic, Treasurer. You know I’m supporting Greg Ryberg, but I wonder what you think on this race. E-mail with your thoughts on these or any other issues. I look forward to hearing form you.

I have long been concerned that the penalties for the worst crimes against our most vulnerable citizens, children, carry far too light a punishment. Currently, criminal sexual conduct committed upon a child eleven or younger carries a mandatory sentence of only 10 to 30 years.

I cannot fathom the rationale in sentencing the rapist of a child as young as eleven, or younger, to not more than 30 years when the victim faces a lifetime sentence of fear and humiliation. I filed S. 997 to ensure that sentences for these unspeakable acts fit the crimes.

If passed, this bill will increase the penalty for sexual battery on someone 11 or younger to a minimum of 25 years to life. A second offense carries a minimum of life in prison and the option of imposing the death penalty. In fact, the last time South Carolina executed a criminal for something other than murder was 1972. He was convicted of rape.

Senator McConnell, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, has assigned this bill to a subcommittee chaired by Senator Hutto with Senators Knotts , Jackson and myself. I have full confidence that they will give this bill a full and fair hearing, and should this new law face a court challenge I look forward to its review by our new and improved United States Supreme Court.

I’ll keep you posted on the developments with S. 997 and feel free to let me know your thoughts.

We have finally wrapped up the Charter School Bill, and thanks to the good work of Sen. Courson, Sen. Hayes, and the resistance of our Caucus some of the previous “miscommunications” have been removed.
On another front, I was proud to join some of my colleagues and the Governor in a press conference to announce the introduction of the Taxpayers’ Empowerment Amendment. This legislation will allow voters to decide in November whether they want government spending capped at the rate of population growth plus inflation. I will bring you more details on this legislation in the coming weeks as it moves through the Senate. Below is a link to the full text of this resolution:
http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/1090.htm
Also, you may want to look at a recent editorial:
http://www.charleston.net/stories/?newsID=67918&section=editorials
I look forward to hearing from you on this and any other matter. Keep in touch.