The Republican-dominated state House of
Representatives is taking today off so members can either watch or attend
the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.
However, the Senate, also full of GOP Party members, will meet as
planned.
The House decision is expected to save taxpayers $11,780, based on the
fact that lawmakers make $95 each day they're in session.
Charles Cannon, executive director for the House Republican Office,
said a handful of members were headed to the nation's capital, including
Speaker David Wilkins.
Wilkins was statewide chairman for President Bush's campaign. The
Greenville Republican has met with the president at Camp David and was
invited to Christmas dinner at the White House.
Wilkins dismissed any questions that the day off will disrupt the flow
of work in the House.
"No one with working knowledge of the South Carolina House can say with
a straight face that we don't work in an efficient and effective manner,"
Wilkins said Wednesday by phone from Washington. "If we were to meet
tomorrow, we would have nothing to do. ... Right now, the typical time we
spend in full session is 15 to 20 minutes. Members aren't missing
anything."
The workload is, indeed, generally light for the full House or Senate
at the start of a new legislative session. Lawmakers spend the bulk of
their time in committee, grinding out bills and amendments and preparing
them for full hearings on the floor.
Wilkins said he will submit a bill next week to shave a few weeks off
full floor meetings at the start of a new legislative session, which comes
every two years. Committees would still work, but the full body wouldn't
deliberate until February.
The day off miffed a few members.
"It's all about the power thing," said David Mack, D-Charleston. "I
find it interesting that if the Democrats had won the election and we
wanted to take a day off, there would be problems."
Republicans hold a 74-50 majority in the House.
Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, says any criticism is
just sour grapes.
"The inauguration only happens every four years," Merrill said. "The
ones griping are the ones on the losing side."