Legislators join union, SPA in talks with company In a rare move, union leaders and State Ports Authority officials came together Monday afternoon with state legislators and Maersk Line executives in an effort to salvage the company's business in the Port of Charleston. SPA officials plan to "get creative" and work toward a mutually acceptable solution over the next few weeks, according to the agency's chief executive officer The SPA's board of directors met by teleconference later in the … [Read more...]
McConnell: Maersk Leaving Not a Done Deal
December 23, 2008 By Leave a Comment
The weather maybe cold but talks to keep the port's biggest customer are heating up. Today state lawmakers enter the discussion. Still, a series of hurdles remain to keep Maersk from leaving. The company name spread across dozens of containers. Maersk accounts for nearly a quarter of the ports yearly business. Last week, a bombshell, the global shipping giant announced it's plan to leave the Charleston port, citing a breakdown in negotiations with the International Longshoreman Association. … [Read more...]
Lawmakers, SPA and union reps meet with Maersk
December 23, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Maersk Line representatives met with state lawmakers, leaders of the three local maritime unions and State Ports Authority officials Monday afternoon to began hatching a plan for the company to remain in Charleston They shared few detail of their discussions but emerged smiling from a 2 1/2-hour conference. "Here in the season of light and miracles there is hope in the state of South Carolina," said state Sen. Glenn McConnell. … [Read more...]
Lawmakers working on roll-call voting
December 22, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I read the recent editorial ("Let us see the truth," Dec. 12) concerning roll call voting. A response is needed. I, along with many others, including Reps. Nikki Haley and Bobby Harrell, and Sens. Larry Martin and Harvey Peeler, have worked for many months on changes that would make the way that the legislature operates more transparent and accountable. I believe that any changes to how the S.C. House and S.C. Senate operate must be done by the bodies' rules. The S.C. Constitution is clear that … [Read more...]
McConnell Plan Will Limit State Spending
December 11, 2008 By Leave a Comment
McConnell: “There’s no education in the second kick of a mule.” Columbia, SC – December 10, 2008 – South Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell today pre-filed legislation to bring more accountability to state government by Constitutionally capping the growth of state revenue spending. McConnell’s plan will rein in spending and provide additional resources for the state during tough economic times. The Constitutional amendment would demand fiscal responsibility by … [Read more...]
Rule of law, not agenda, spurred involvement with local delegation
December 5, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I must admit I was amazed to read the recent editorial wherein I was alleged to be the mastermind of using the fight among members of the Spartanburg legislative delegation as a method to advance a larger Senate agenda. This could not be farther from the truth of the matter. Let me explain the true situation. One thing the editorial did get right was that I counseled Spartanburg senators regarding being overrun by the House members who wanted to act purely based on numeric votes, but I only did … [Read more...]
Sanfords quick to criticize, yet easily wounded by response
October 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
To advance his image as a budget-cutter, Gov. Mark Sanford recently called on the members of the S.C. General Assembly to forgo their per-day expense and their mileage reimbursement for the extended session now underway to deal with budget issues. This is to reimburse legislators for the costs of hotels, gas, and meals while they are in Columbia on official business. I realize it's easy to take shots at legislators, but I declined to join the governor in putting that kind of pressure on a group … [Read more...]
SC appetite for spending baffles Smith
October 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
It's a movie that House Speaker Doug Smith has seen before - a comedy turned drama with a tragic ending that leaves everyone frustrated. Giddy with the smell of cash in good times, South Carolina lawmakers send money to every corner of the state. Then come the bad times, and legislators must take back large chunks of the bounty. With the bad times comes a familiar song and dance, a tune that ends with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle singing never again. And that's where the story ends. … [Read more...]
SC Legislature sends Gov. Sanford $488M in cuts
October 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Gov. Mark Sanford has until Thursday to decide whether to veto any of the $488 million in budget cuts the Legislature sent him Friday. The cuts in the state's $7 billion budget carve deeply into health care and college spending, with health-related programs giving up $160 million and universities and technical colleges losing $123 million. State sales tax collections have fallen short of expectations and legislators returned to Columbia on Monday to put spending back in line. House Speaker … [Read more...]
Cuts imperil safety, officials warn
October 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
$2 million slashed from agency that monitors habitual criminals free on probation, parole South Carolina is gambling with the public's safety by cutting $2 million from the agency that monitors thousands of habitual criminals free on probation and parole, top law enforcement officials warned Thursday. Just last month, legislative leaders talked of boosting money for the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, saying the agency is seriously understaffed and needs more … [Read more...]
