“I can’t imagine the fascist sort of government we Republicans are running up here. We’re supposed to be helping businesses.”

— REP. JOHN GRAHAM ALTMAN, R-Charleston, arguing against a bill allow mothers to nurse babies in public.

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TODAY 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 10 a.m. 9 a.m., 511 Blatt Building, a Judiciary subcommittee discusses the use of automated cameras to reduce the number of vehicles running red lights.

IN THE SENATE: Convenes at 11 a.m. 9:30 a.m., 307 Gressette Building, a Labor, Commerce and Industry subcommittee discusses employer prohibition of tobacco use outside the workplace.

ELSEWHERE: 1 p.m., 101 Blatt Building, Legislature’s Joint Committee on Aging meets.

THE DAILY BUZZ

Maybe a film tax credit bill will help change things, but you can’t blame legislators for trying to get an up-close look when Hollywood pays a visit to the Palmetto State.

Wednesday, lawmakers honored South Carolina native and “Access Hollywood” anchor Nancy O’Dell. O’Dell is a former television reporter in Myrtle Beach and Charleston, who is now best-known for dissecting celebrity outfits on the red carpet at awards shows and premieres.

Her introduction in the Senate chamber caused more than a few senators to head to the back wall of the chamber to get a better view of the tall, blonde television host in the second-floor gallery.

The scramble — senators were probably just hoping for fashion advice or wondering how to donate to one of O’Dell’s many charitable efforts — left Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Horry, laughing at the lectern during the introduction.

SCHMOOZING

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

• Breakfast: 8 a.m., 221 Blatt Building, hosted by National MS Society

MORE ON THE WEB

What you can find online

• Go to http://www.thestate.com/ for our inside look at the 2006 General Assembly. Online items include how to track bills, a list of important dates, story lines to watch and profiles of key lawmakers.

• YGA Today, a midday look inside the State House, will be posted on http://www.thestate.com/ in the early afternoon each legislative day.

• Go to http://www.thestate.com/ for a searchable list of state employee salaries for workers earning more than $50,000 a year.

A QUICK SPIN AROUND THE STATE HOUSE

Mothers and babies filled a House subcommittee to urge lawmakers to approve a bill protecting a woman’s right to breast-feed.

Legislators obliged, and the bill, sponsored by Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, heads next to the full Judiciary Committee.

The bill makes it legal for a mother to breast-feed any place she would otherwise be authorized to be. It also says breast-feeding in public is not indecent exposure.

The bill is not without its critics. Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, said he opposes the bill because the state should not tell business owners they have to allow mothers to breast-feed in their stores.

LIMITS ON CALENDAR

Schools statewide could not hold classes before the third Monday in August under a bill the House gave key approval.

The legislation won second reading on an 82-33 vote and should get routine final House approval today.

Several legislators said the issue of school start dates should be left to local school districts to decide. The state leaves scheduling decisions to districts now, including when to cancel or make up classes tied to bad weather.Nothing in the bill prevents schools from holding football practices or have teacher in-service days before classes start.

BULLY BILL PASSED

A House education subcommittee approved a bill setting statewide standards for punishing bullies and keeping records of infractions.

The panel approved changes to “Safe Schools Act” that passed the Senate last year.

The bill prohibits students from harassing, intimidating or bullying other students and requires school personnel to report such behavior. The subcommittee’s changes give the Board of Education until September to develop policies for school districts and gives districts until January to adopt the tougher anti-bullying rules.

FIRST STEPS SET

The state’s early childhood development program is on the road to continuing through at least 2013.

The House approved a measure reauthorizing the agency. The Senate took a similar step last month.

The program was set to be discontinued in July 2007. The bill heads to Gov. Mark Sanford for his signature.