TheState.com: S.C. Politics

Smoke issue drifts across river

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:27 EDT

Some Lexington County Council members are pursuing a countywide ban on smoking in restaurants and bars, an idea that could be snuffed out if key municipalities balk.

Their plan would include the county’s 14 towns as well as unincorporated areas.

Supporters want a uniform limit instead of a patchwork in which restrictions would be in effect at some of the 804 restaurants and 70 bars across the county but not at others.

“If they don’t buy it, we can’t do it,” Councilman Bill Banning of West Columbia said of the municipalities. “I would not support doing it unless we can do it countywide.”

Supporters are willing to go forward if the largest communities — Batesburg-Leesville, Cayce, Irmo, Lexington and West Columbia — are in favor.

Payday lending bill not dead after all

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:27 EDT

S.C. House members who thought they had lost their chance to vote this year on whether to restrict payday lending might get another chance with a little help from their counterparts in the Senate.

S.C. Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland, said Friday that many Senate and House members were frustrated by the decision of a powerful member of the S.C. House to let the bill passed by the Senate Feb. 19 die in House committee.

So, on Thursday, Lourie and S.C. Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, amended a House bill regarding payday lending oversight to include the provisions of the Senate bill restricting the number and amount of loans.

They say the measures are designed to restrict consumers from becoming trapped in a chain of debts from the small, two-week loans that carry interest equal to a 391 percent annual percentage rate.

Payday lenders, including Spartanburg-based Advance America, the nation’s largest payday lender, say the loans provide convenient credit to households facing financial emergencies.

Exclusive: Freewheeling drug sharing described by Ravenel

Fri, 16 May 2008 13:11 EDT

Cocaine circulated so readily in Charleston’s upper-crust circles that former State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel confessed that, in his orbit, users shared the powder “like a football ... back and forth.”

The then-rising political star privately described his casual drug culture to a SLED investigator last spring when Ravenel was first confronted about his drug use.

Ravenel portrayed himself as being drawn from a healthy lifestyle into a cocaine world that stretched from the Upper King Street bar district to mansions south of Broad Street.

“I was sort of addicted to working out,” Ravenel told Lt. Frank O’Neal during conversations on June 15 and 16.

“Then, recently ... I was just kinda, you know, I was just looking to, I don’t know, I was around people that were doing it.”

S.C. at War: Welcome home, soldier

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:03 EDT

After 15 months in Afghanistan, Rep. James Smith, tanned, trim and sporting a high and tight haircut, returned to the House of Representatives on Thursday to standing ovations and hugs.

“There’s nothing like a year in combat to make you appreciate home,” said Smith, a Columbia Democrat, who commanded a nine-man Army National Guard team in southern Afghanistan.

By day, the team trained Afghan police officers and worked to build trust between the fledgling security forces and skeptical villagers.

By night, Smith and his men hopped on Humvees and tracked down and fought the Taliban across mountainous terrain and vast stretches of dessert.

Smith, 40, said he longed for the green of South Carolina, the shade of its trees, the thickness of its air compared with the thin air of Afghanistan and blowing sand that managed to get everywhere.

Clyburn defends his decision to hire felon

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:06 EDT

WASHINGTON— U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn on Thursday defended his decision to hire a convicted felon, recently released from federal prison, who was charged with bribery and extortion.

Clyburn, a Columbia Democrat and the No. 3 U.S. House leader, said former Orangeburg County Council chairman John Rickenbacker has paid his debt to society and deserves a new political lease on life.

“My father was a minister,” Clyburn said. “My faith is very important to me. I do believe in redemption. As a public servant, I believe in rehabilitation. I do believe in the Scripture when it says, ‘Judge not lest ye be judged.’”

Rickenbacker, 56, pleaded guilty in April 2007 to accepting $50,000 from an FBI agent posing as a consultant to a company seeking to buy the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg.

Rickenbacker was released last month from the Alston Wilkes Society halfway house in Columbia after serving one year and a day in federal prison, most of the time in a minimum-security facility in Bennettsville.

Obama gains six S.C. delegates

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:03 EDT

The majority of S.C. delegates earned by former presidential candidate John Edwards said Thursday they would vote for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama at the Democratic convention.

Of the state’s eight Edwards delegates, six announced they would support Obama. Two remain uncommitted.

Edwards, an S.C. native and former U.S. senator from North Carolina, endorsed Obama in Michigan on Wednesday night. He asked his delegates — 19 earned in three states — to vote for Obama.

Edwards earned more delegates — eight — in finishing third in South Carolina than in any other state. In 2004, Edwards won the South Carolina primary, and his support in the Palmetto State continues to run deep.

Under party rules, delegates are free to vote for whomever they choose.

Edwards backs Obama

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:20 EDT

Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama on Wednesday, a move designed to help solidify support for the party’s likely presidential nominee even as Hillary Clinton refuses to give up her long-shot candidacy.

Edwards, a South Carolina native and former U.S. Senator from North Carolina, lent his support — and possibly the valuable delegates he earned in S.C. and elsewhere — to Obama.

Edwards won 18 delegates in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Nearly half of those delegates — eight — were earned here when Edwards finished third in the January primary won by Obama.

If those delegates also choose Obama, it would erase the delegates Clinton earned by trouncing Obama in West Virginia this week. Clinton, who beat Obama 3-to-1 in West Virginia, snared 20 delegates to Obama’s 8.

An Edwards endorsement also might help Obama with the working-class white voters he’s had trouble connecting with in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, all losses to Clinton.

Payday lending bill is dead

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:20 EDT

A bill to limit payday lending in South Carolina is dead for this year, a powerful state legislator said Wednesday.

State Rep. Harry Cato, R-Greenville, said he took umbrage at consumer advocates who criticized a House subcommittee that has not acted on the bill since it passed the state Senate on Feb. 19.

Cato, chairman of the House Commerce Committee, said a week ago that the bill would get a vote by May 20 or 21, when the banking subcommittee meets. He said he changed his mind after the AARP held a press conference Tuesday, criticizing the subcommittee for delaying the bill.

“It’s dead,” Cato said Wednesday. “The lay of the land changed a lot over the weekend and into this week. Everybody headed back into their corners.”

The AARP, which represents some older consumers, removed its support for the bill. The group cited moves by the subcommittee to strip the bill of provisions that would have required payday lenders to restrict loans, based on the income of borrowers. Instead, the AARP asked the subcommittee to amend the bill to ban payday lending and allow the bill to reach the House floor for debate.

SC House member who fought in Afghanistan returns

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:14 EDT

South Carolina House members welcomed back Capt. James Smith with a standing ovation.

The Columbia Democrat left for training and an Afghanistan tour 15 months ago with the Army National Guard. He returned briefly in March 2007 to vote on an education bill before heading to Afghanistan.

Smith is among 1,800 of South Carolina's Guardsman returning from Afghanistan.

He received hugs and several rounds of applause Thursday after marking his presence on the House roll call.

Smith joined the Army Reserve in 1996 as a lawyer and switched to the Army National Guard two years later. After the Sept. 11 terror attacks he decided to go back through basic training and move to the infantry.

Ex-councilman convicted of taking bribes to work for Clyburn

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:13 EDT

The former Orangeburg County councilman who served a year in prison for bribery and extortion has been hired to work with U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.

Clyburn told The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg on Wednesday that John Rickenbacker will work for him as a liaison between his office and constituents.

Rickenbacker was indicted in June 2006 on charges he took $50,000 in bribes from an agent posing as a consultant for a company interested in buying a local hospital. Rickenbacker told the agent he would work to get County Council's support for the sale and provided a confidential financial report.

Rickenbacker pleaded guilty and served a year in prison. He was released from a Columbia halfway house last month.

Lexington County looking at tax hike

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:02 EDT

Lexington County homeowners are facing about a $13 tax increase on a $100,000 home if no changes are made in the current version of next year’s general fund budget.

On Tuesday, County Council began its examination of a recommended $94.9 million general fund, which includes $33.7 million for the sheriff’s department.

Unless council cuts large slices from that plan, the 2008-09 general fund budget would be $7.4 million, or 8.5 percent, more than this year’s spending plan.

That would mean the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $12.80 more than this year, county officials said.

But council must vote two more times on the general fund and the rest of county government spending plus hold a public hearing before all the budgets are final.

Columbia closer to smoking ban

Wed, 14 May 2008 20:58 EDT

Columbia City Council is poised to ban smoking in bars and restaurants after a council member who previously voted against it announced he would change his vote.

E.W. Cromartie — City Council’s most senior member, whose district includes the nearly 50 bars and restaurants in The Vista — said during a public hearing Tuesday he would vote for a total smoking ban when council decides the issue next week.

“I am seriously considering we should have a total ban, and at the opportune time, that’s how I will cast my vote,” Cromartie told a crowd of about 30 people. “As a capital city, we are leaders. We have to lead.”

Opponents of the ban, including Tony Snell, owner of Club Fusion in The Vista, aren’t giving up. Cromartie has agreed to meet with Snell next week.

And in a last-minute ploy to kill the ordinance, Snell called on Mayor Bob Coble to recuse himself from the vote because Coble’s law firm, Nexsen Pruet, has represented tobacco companies in the past.

House speaker Bobby Harrell won’t run for governor

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:38 EDT

House Speaker Bobby Harrell said Tuesday he will not run for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010.

Harrell, of Charleston, believes he could have more success pushing his agenda — particularly economic development and creating a modern S.C. economy — by leading the state House of Representatives.

“The goals that I want to see accomplished I can best accomplish from here,” Harrell said. “For me, it’s always the things I want to see done, not the office.”

Harrell’s announcement removes a front-runner from the potential GOP field, and would free him to work on behalf of like-minded State House candidates until the June 10 primary.

Though no candidates have announced plans to run, speculative candidates for governor include Westminster U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and Attorney General Henry McMaster.

Senate, House budget negotiations begin

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:22 EDT

South Carolina Senate and House members are beginning to hash out the final version of the state's $7 billion budget.

Three members from each chamber started work Wednesday to combine the House and Senate versions of the bill. A second meeting was held in the afternoon.

The lawmakers agreed on pieces of the budget that matched in both versions, but they won't start discussing areas of disagreement until Monday.

The Senate cut $180 million from the budget last month, and the House approved most of those cuts. But there are big differences in how the state would pay for public school programs. The House included plans for tourism grants and projects related to college research, but those were cut by the Senate.

House panel to discuss 'I Believe' license tags with cross

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:31 EDT

A House committee will take up a bill that would put a cross and the words "I Believe" on South Carolina license tags.

The Education and Public Works Committee was to discuss the bill Wednesday afternoon.

The legislation passed the Senate in a couple of days with no debate last month.

It's one of three bills touching faith that are close to reaching the governor's desk. One makes it clear how public bodies can start meetings with prayers. The other provides for public displays of the Ten Commandments with other historical documents.

The American Civil Liberty Union says South Carolina legislators shouldn't be telling people how or when to pray, whether to pray or to whom to pray.

Bill suggests to local governments how to hold legal prayers

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:48 EDT

A bill designed to guide local governments on how to legally pray before meetings is heading to the House floor.

Isle of Palms Sen. Chip Campsen has said he hopes the measure clears up confusion over what kind of public prayer is considered constitutional, based on rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The legislation would give local governments three possibilities for legal prayer. They could elect a chaplain or allow each member of the board to pray on a rotating basis. They also could invite local religious leaders to lead prayer on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill Tuesday without discussion. The Senate approved the bill last month.

Senate to resume spending limit debate

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:28 EDT

The Senate could resume debate on a constitutional amendment limiting state government spending.

Senators started debating the measure last week and it was at the top of the agenda Tuesday.

The proposal calls for the state to limit spending increases to no more than average tax collection growth during the previous decade. Any extra money collected would be set aside to use in lean years.

The resolution requires a two-thirds vote before being sent to the House.

Senators were also expected to talk about the illegal immigration law changes approved in the House last week.

House panel approves bill that OKs DNA samples after arrests

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:03 EDT

People charged with a felony in South Carolina would have to submit DNA samples upon arrest under legislation approved Tuesday by a House committee.

The bill now heads to the House floor. The Senate approved it in January.

Under the measure, adults charged with crimes punishable by at least five years in prison, or charged with eavesdropping, peeping or stalking, must submit saliva or tissue samples for a state DNA database. Juveniles would be exempt, though a sample could be gained through a court order.

Proponents say the samples could be used to solve unrelated crimes. The state already takes DNA samples from people convicted of felonies.

Jeff Moore, executive director of the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association, said expanding the database will help catch criminals before they commit more crimes.

Of yellow dogs and Democrats

Tue, 13 May 2008 07:45 EDT

GREENVILLE — U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has likely locked up the Democratic presidential nomination, but political consultant and Clinton family adviser James Carville told about 500 people at Furman University that U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton should fight until the last dog dies.

“I still hear some dogs barking,” said Carville, the flamboyant Louisianan known as the left’s ragin’ Cajun. “I’m for Senator Clinton, but I think the great likelihood is that Obama will be the nominee.

“As soon as I determine when that is, I’ll send him a check.”

In an address peppered with his trademark sharp wit, Carville took questions from students and the public for more than an hour. The topics ranged from energy policy and conservation to Carville’s occasional acting roles. But much of the discussion was about the Democratic presidential campaign.

Carville said voters should wait to see results from today’s West Virginia primary, which Clinton is expected to win, and results from the other contests that extend into early June.

S.C. prisons feeling the pinch

Tue, 13 May 2008 07:42 EDT

Despite a frugal daily diet of $1.43 worth of macaroni, rice, turkey parts and organ meat for each of its 23,977 prisoners, the South Carolina Department of Corrections can’t pay its bills, and the agency is considering closing some facilities.

The department expects to overspend by $4.3 million in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

The outlook is worse for next year. Corrections Department director Jon Ozmint said Monday he expects court-ordered supervision to follow any prison shutdowns.

“There’s nothing more that can be cut,” Ozmint said. “It would take a huge layoff and closing of institutions for us to come up with money for next year’s budget.”

Ozmint said food, medical and fuel costs this year are running $8 million ahead of expectations in a prison system that costs nearly $1 million a day to run. He contends the agency’s total spending of $336 million this year started $129 million short because the budget doesn’t keep up with inflation and still lacks money slashed during past state budget cuts.