Posted on Thu, Jan. 18, 2007

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Capitol connection

Today

The House and Senate convene at 10 a.m.

At least one House Ways and Means subcommittee continues its budget work, this morning examining the spending plan for the state Ethics Commission. The House committee that’s investigating the state Transportation Department also meets at 9 a.m.

Schmoozing

Where and when lawmakers can eat and drink for free today — and who’s buying:

8-10 a.m.: Breakfast, 221 Blatt Building, the Foundation for the S.C. Commission for the Blind

Capitol Connection

FIRST STEPS SEEKS BUDGET BOOST

The state early-childhood agency wants to add $39 million to its 2007-08 budget. The money for First Steps would pay for 4-year-old kindergarten expansion and enhanced community services for children up to 3 years old.

The request is in addition to the agency’s $20 million base budget and in anticipation of the General Assembly’s potential move toward free statewide 4-year-old kindergarten for poor children.

First Steps would use about $31 million to help 11,000 4-year-olds attend private preschools using state tuition.

RULES CHANGE MAY HAVE VIOLATED LAW

In a rush to close their meetings to the public, House Republicans might have violated state public-information laws.

A change to House rules approved Wednesday applies to a caucus, such as the GOP House members. Republican leaders argued they should be able to discuss political strategy behind closed doors.

The rule change was approved in committee with no notice or announcement before coming to the House floor.

Jay Bender, an attorney for the South Carolina Press Association who also represents The State newspaper, said the meeting might have been illegal. “It’s probably in violation of the law,” he said, noting some legislative committees are exempt from public notice in emergencies. “Procrastination does not constitute an emergency.”

The new rules passed the full House 59-52.

For more on this story, visit the S.C. Politics Today page at thestate.com.

NUCLEAR WASTE LANDFILL CLOSURE

Conservation groups urged state senators Wednesday to close South Carolina’s only low-level nuclear waste landfill to most of the nation in 2008, as scheduled.

The landfill, one of three disposal sites of its kind in the country, is expected to be a topic of debate at the State House this year as the deadline approaches.

The Barnwell County landfill has buried more than 27 million cubic feet of radioactive waste since opening more than 35 years ago.

“We have done far more than our fair share of managing ... the nation’s so-called low-level nuclear waste,” Bob Guild of the Sierra Club told senators.

But the landfill has been the target of closure plans in the past, and each time nuclear-waste lobbyists have persuaded the Legislature to keep the landfill open to the nation as a source of state revenue.

For more on this story, visit the S.C. Politics Today page at thestate.com.

BILL WOULD CAP PAYDAY LOAN RATES

A bill to limit payday loans was filed Wednesday in the S.C. House.

The bill would cap the annual interest rate at 36 percent; allow a $5 administrative fee per loan; and restrict lenders from having more than one loan at a time with any customer.

State law allows lenders to charge $15 for every $100 on the two-week loans, which equates to an annual percentage rate of 391 percent.

Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Horry, the bill’s chief sponsor, said the interest rates are too high and snare workers in a cycle of debt. Payday lenders say most borrowers pay off their loans and use them responsibly.

OH, HAPPY DAY

“Happy hour” at bars and restaurants could become “happy day” under a bill approved in a House subcommittee Wednesday.

The proposal would let businesses with alcohol licenses choose one day a week, except Sundays, for all-day specials on liquor drinks.

Currently, businesses can sell and advertise liquor drink specials from 4 to 8 p.m. only.

The proposal is up for debate Tuesday in the House Judiciary Committee.

Quote of the Day

“I’m sure there’ll be howls from the media and a collective ‘sigh’ from the public.”

— Rep. Doug Smith, R-Spartanburg, on the vote to change House rules to restrict the Freedom of Information Act and close party caucus meetings to the public