Posted on Fri, Apr. 21, 2006

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House will take up death penalty bill

“Somebody’s spending a lot of money. They’d rather buy TV ads and radio ads than pay their property taxes.”

-- Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, on being the “bad guy” in radio spots critical of the Senate’s approach to property tax reform. The Senate’s approval of limits on property reassessments, Martin said, means senators are serious about property tax relief.

NEXT WEEK AT THE STATE HOUSE

For a complete list of legislative meetings, go to http://www.scstatehouse.net/ and click on the “Meetings” link.

IN THE HOUSE: Convenes at noon Tuesday, 10 a.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. Thursday

IN THE SENATE: Convenes at 10 a.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. Thursday

THE DAILY BUZZ

STATE OF MIND

Elected officials and contributions are like, well, love and marriage.

They go together.

Some House members, though, have found a flow of dollars they don’t like.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell and a dozen House members held a press conference Thursday to protest the influence of out-of-state lobbying groups on state elections.

Many of the members who joined Harrell, including Reps. Bill Cotty, R-Richland, and Ken Clark, R-Lexington, have been challenged by candidates in the June 13 primary.

The groups, Harrell said, have been paying for misleading advertising. He declined to identify which groups he was referring to. Cotty, who said he is being challenged for his opposition to a school choice bill last year, called the tactics “sleazy, underhanded and deceptive.”

Of course, it’s not just money that draws attention. After the press conference, the South Carolina Club For Growth, whose national organization has often waded into Palmetto State politics, handed out candidate endorsements, including Sheri Few, Cotty’s opponent.

SCHMOOZING

Where and from whom state lawmakers will be able to get free food and drinks Tuesday

• Evening reception: 6 p.m., barbecue reception, S.C. Beer Wholesalers Association office, 1114 College St.

MORE ON THE WEB

What you can find online at thestate.com

• YGA Today, midday news from inside the State House, is updated several times each legislative day.

• Our searchable list of state employee salaries for workers earning more than $50,000 a year

A QUICK SPIN AROUND THE STATE HOUSE

Before the Legislature adjourns in June, state representatives say they plan to consider a bill already approved by senators that would allow some sex offenders to be put to death.

House approval is seemingly the last step before the bill, which already has the support of state Attorney General Henry McMaster and Gov. Mark Sanford, could become law. It’s been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, thinks it will likely have success.

The bill, OK’d by the Senate last month, sets mandatory minimum sentences and requires lifetime electronic monitoring for some sex offenders. An amendment given overwhelming approval also allows South Carolina prosecutors to seek the death penalty for anyone twice convicted of sexually molesting a child younger than 11.

PRISONER RIGHTS

A bill that would restore some inmates’ ability to attend a relative’s funeral is heading to the Senate floor.

The measure would allow inmates in minimum security prisons who have earned “good” status to attend the funeral or viewing of a parent, sibling, spouse, child, grandparent or grandchild.

The state Department of Corrections used to allow such trips outside prison walls, at the department’s discretion. But the practice was suspended a couple of years ago because prisons were short-staffed.

S.C. STATE MONEY

Plans to pump $40 million from the state lottery into research programs at South Carolina State University likely are dead for the year.

The House Ways and Means Committee sent a bill that sends lottery cash to the historically black college back to a subcommittee.

The bill called for an endowment to be created with $5 million each year for at least eight years. The university would have to match that cash with private donations.

MOVIE TAX BREAKS

Moviemakers would see some tax breaks double for bringing their film productions to South Carolina under legislation that is heading to the House floor for debate.

The legislation, pushed mostly by Charleston-area lawmakers, would increase the state’s rebate on film wages and in-state production expenses to 30 percent from 15 percent. The legislation also broadens the break to include television series produced in the state.

STATE GUARD

The South Carolina State Guard wants to set up an air wing to help out the National Guard during emergencies.

To make that happen, they want the State Guard’s unpaid members to be covered by the state for accidents they might have while delivering doctors or supplies to disaster areas. The House Ways and Means Committee approved the plan.

The legislation also makes State Guard pilots eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The legislation now heads to the House floor.

VEHICLE TAXES

Motorcycle and heavy-duty truck owners would see lower property taxes with legislation heading to the House floor.

The Ways and Means Committee approved a bill that lowers the property assessment on motorcycles to 6 percent from 10.5 percent — the same rate car owners pay.

The break also helps people who own heavy-duty vehicles, such as pickups, that aren’t covered because they weigh more than 9,000 pounds. The legislation raises the weight limit for the 6 percent rate to 11,000 pounds.

The changes will cut about $5.1 million from motorcycle and heavy vehicle tax bills.