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Article published Apr 28, 2004
Several bills should pass before it's too late for action this
year
The S.C. House and Senate have only this week to pass
several key pieces of legislation before it's too late to send the bills to the
other side of the Statehouse.May 1 is the deadline to pass a bill in the House
or Senate and send it to the other chamber in time for it to be considered this
year. There are several bills that should be pushed to beat that deadline. Some
of them involve the governor's restructuring proposals.One would create the
Department of Administration to handle tasks through the Governor's Office
rather than through the Budget and Control Board. Another would establish a
commission that would evaluate state programs and determine whether they are
still needed.These are measures that would enhance the efficiency and the
accountability of state government. They should be passed.Another would create a
statewide school district to oversee charter schools. This bill would facilitate
the creation of charter schools. South Carolina is behind other states in
establishing such schools because of the difficult procedure to start them
here.These bills and others, including a parental responsibility act that would
give schools a tool to involve apathetic parents, should move forward before the
deadline.But the deadline is not the only obstruction. The Senate has been
bogged down by a filibuster over a bill that would allow police officers to stop
motorists and ticket them for violations of the seat belt law. Under current
law, police can only issue such a ticket if the motorist is stopped for some
other reason.Even if House leaders put their members into high gear and move
legislation to the Senate, the filibuster and a looming lengthy budget debate in
the Senate may wipe out the chances for debate and action on other legislative
issues.Leaders in the General Assembly must address these issues. They must act
on key legislation before the deadline, and they must end the Senate filibuster
so that senators can do the necessary work.