Bill would add $5 to S.C. traffic fines

Speeders beware.

The S.C. Criminal Justice Academy needs repairs and renovations, so look for traffic fines to increase by $5 per violation, if pending Senate legislation is passed.

The Senate Judiciary Committee gave key approval to a bill raising the cost of misdemeanor traffic violations by $5 per ticket to aid renovation, repairs and training at the Academy, which is almost exclusively funded by such fees, fines and penalties.

The proposed increase does not pertain to parking tickets.

Still, the measure drew some debate. "This is a terrible way to fund government," said Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, an attorney.

Core law enforcement missions such as training ought to be part of the General Assembly's standard budgeting provisions, Massey contended, rather than an add-on, off-budget item.

"They have started building out there on the promise they will get the money," Massey noted, so lawmakers are in a difficult position now to deny the fine increase.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville.

Sen. Floyd Nicholson, D-Greenwood, said the additional fines put more financial burdens on South Carolina residents who can least afford it. "There are enough fines and surcharges," Nicholson protested.

"I don't understand your philosophical (opposition) to a simple user fee," said Sen. Mike Rose, R-Berkeley, in questions to Massey.

Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, said that the additional fines and fees on traffic violations might cause law enforcement officers to become overzealous. "We will have (speed) traps all over South Carolina now," Ford said, somewhat half-heartedly.

The bill squeaked out of committee 10-8.

- Roddie Burris

SUBVERSIVE REGISTRATION

South Carolina lawmakers have advanced a bill repealing a Cold War-era law requiring any group that wants to overthrow the government to register and pay $5.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved repealing the 1951 law adopted during the communist scare.

Sen. Larry Martin says the law made South Carolina a joke, since bloggers spread the misconception last month that legislators recently approved the requirement.

The Pickens Republican noted the Senate voted to repeal the law in 1994. But that bill died in the House.

Secretary of State Mark Hammond has said no one filed under the law until last month, when nine people or groups did so in jest. Filers included the American Citizens for the Extermination of South Carolina.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Is there something in the water that causes you guys who are running for Congress to go insane?"

- Rep. Harry Ott, D-Calhoun, who objected to an amendment to the state budget introduced by Laurens Republican Rep. Jeff Duncan that would require S.C. history textbooks to at least begin with Columbus' discovery of America. Duncan, who is running for Congress, said he proposed the amendment because a school district in Texas decided to teach American history beginning at 1865, which excludes the nation's founders. Ott pointed out the state is not spending money on textbooks this year.