Most of Sanford's vetoes overridden
Bill offering incentives for fire sprinklers now law
The State
Rep. Jimmy Bales, D-Richland (from left), Rep. Kenny Bingham, R-Lexington, and Rep. Mac Toole, R-Lexington, discuss the issues during the special session of the Legislature on Wednesday.
COLUMBIA — Tax credits for the owners of homes and businesses who install fire sprinklers became law Wednesday, along with 14 other bills when the Legislature reconvened to take up Gov. Mark Sanford's vetoes.
Lawmakers showed overwhelming support for the sprinkler incentives, the one legislative action to come from last year's Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine Charleston firefighters.
"I was very grateful," said Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston. "I couldn't imagine leaving here without having tried to address fire safety after what happened."
The lawmakers met for more than five hours to consider the vetoes issued by Sanford after they closed regular session earlier this month. They left open, however, the possibility of coming back once more this year.
Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell and House Speaker Bobby Harrell, both Charleston Republicans, could set a date before Oct. 31 to call lawmakers back to deal with budgetary issues.
That could happen for one of two reasons. If the economy continues to slump and revenue shortfalls are projected to reach a certain level, McConnell and Harrell would have to call lawmakers back to rework the state's budget.
Lawmakers also would be called back if Sanford vetoes a measure sent to his desk Wednesday intended to handle budget problems already identified. The Legislature crafted a bill that would shift money intended to cover one month of expenses for state employee insurance premiums to cover school bus operations and election costs. The cost for the insurance premiums will now have to be picked up by the individual agencies.
About $23 million had been set aside in a reserve fund for school buses and the general election, but that fund is now expected to be lost to further declining state revenues, said Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence.
"We re-evaluated," Leatherman said. "At the state level, we will live within our means."
The money from insurance premiums will now cover the school bus operations and the election.
Sanford has warned that the state could end up in court over the state's $7 billion budget, which leaves the Education and Corrections departments facing projected deficits. The governor vetoed 69 items in the budget to help free money, but most of the vetoes were overturned.
Leatherman and other lawmakers have defended the budget, arguing that it is balanced because agencies have the ability to shift money to cover costs.
McConnell predicted that the state would end up in a lawsuit over another issue.
On Wednesday, the House and Senate both voted to override a veto of a bill originally intended to encourage residents to buy energy-efficient appliances by making them tax-free for one month of the year.
Two other provisions were added to the bill: a tax-free weekend for the purchase of guns and giving local gasoline suppliers the right to blend fuel with ethanol, a practice conducted by big oil companies. The Legislature has been sued over the issue of "bobtailing" legislation in the past and McConnell warned it will happened again.
"There is no lesson in the third kick of the mule," he said.
The Legislature ultimately agreed with five of Sanford's vetoes. One concerned school notification when students test positive for HIV. Some wanted to eliminate the notification so more students would get tested.
At a glance
The Legislature voted to override 15 of the 20 vetoes issued by Gov. Mark Sanford. Here's a look at some of the notable bills that will now become law and the votes to override:
Fire sprinklers: Gives local governments the option of providing property tax credits worth up to 25 percent of the cost of installing a sprinkler system. The local portion would be matched by a state income tax credit. The incentives would be offered to owners of homes and businesses not required by law to be equipped with sprinkler systems. Senate voted, 43-0; House, 109-0.
Tax breaks: Creates a tax-free weekend for gun purchases and allows energy-efficient appliances to be sold without taxes during the month of October, both beginning in July 2009. The bill contains a third provision that would allow local gasoline suppliers to mix the fuel with ethanol, a practice conducted now by large oil companies. Senate voted 34-8; House, 92-9.
Assaults on sports officials: Doubling penalties for assaults on coaches and sports officials. Senate voted 32-6; House, 87-17.
Endowed chairs: Allows future Education Lottery funds to be used to help bring top researchers into the state. The money creates endowments, which are used to hire professors at state universities. Senate voted 30-4; House, 103-0.
Tax breaks on mobile homes: Gives $750 off income taxes for families that buy energy-efficient manufactured homes and credits worth 25 percent of the cost to purchase and install solar and hydropower energy systems. Senate voted 43-0; House, 98-0.
Concealed weapons: Allows lawmakers and state employees with concealed weapon permits to store guns in their vehicles while parked in the Statehouse garage. Senate voted 32-1; House, 93-12.
On the Web: To read bills, go to www.scstatehouse.net.
Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
zoomru (anonymous) says...
WHAT!!!!
"I was very grateful," said Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston. "I couldn't imagine leaving here without having tried to address fire safety after what happened."
LEON....YOU IDIOT. Try to pass a law to pimp VOTES...you super fly snooka! You don't fool ME.
If you had a clue and worked with and watched what County Council was doing. YOU..yes you would realize that County Council is giving us all the shaft by not selling our trash for energy using the machines at www.startech.net. These machines generate four..yes 4 different tax revenue streams to buy those fire hoses that were not up to standard. If that was the real reason these fine men DIED at all. It is very evident that there is a lack of communication here.
Want proof.... what time was the incinerator meeting called yesterday?? After 2pm...you NUT. How does the public have time to respond?? Alot like those firemen....you SON.
You, Bobby, and Glenn veto a bill that will end up costing us ALL when in fact you are covering yourself for the lack of forsight and GUTS to do the right thing in the first PLACE. CLOSE the incinerator and Bees Ferry by installing these PLASMA machines so at least these firefighters children will benefit by having a place to grow up in with out a landfill at all. Do the right THING...don't protect the Good Ole' Boys this time ....Mortenay may beg for another 20 years and stuff cash....BUT who is the FOOL. Look hard in the mirror. If your own face doesn't inspire you...watch the BUCKET LIST.
JACK........
June 26, 2008 at 1:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Endowed chairs....!!!
WHAT....?
I hear a whoopee cushion for us taxpayers. This smells to high heaven.
...Allows future Education Lottery funds to be used to help bring top researchers into the state.
What is tuition and alumni donations for...free pizza and a keg?
...The money creates endowments, which are used to hire professors at state universities. Senate voted 30-4; House, 103-0.
Wow ... what a white wash. I guess I know who will be making campaign contributions...you guessed it..PROFESSORS at my sweaty expense.
CAPS and GOWNS for ...Everyone !!
June 26, 2008 at 1:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Publicly skimming the lottery funds shows that they have no fear of the public. Skimming employees' insurance funds is also sneaking through. Does anyone really believe that anyone will really monitor the fuel companys to see exactly what and how much water...er, ethanol (from food)...that they put in the gas...higher prices for cut-rate fuel. The hand of special interests is obvious. The governor's vetoes at least serve to show the legislature for what it truly is...like anyone really cares...they'll be put back in in the fall.
June 26, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Huh????? "What?" was already taken.
Bravo Sanford!! Too bad you seem to be surrounded by a bunch of idiots!!
When ethanol is added to gasoline will the prices come down? Doubt it.
When sprinklers go in will my taxes go up? Probably.
Don't even get me started on legalized gambling...oops, I mean the lottery, an optional tax on the poor!!! I have NEVER supported the SC "education" lottery. And I am an educator!! I don't believe the money is best used at the top end of a child's education. It should go to the elementary level to help get these kids where they need to be in order to go to college. Unfortunately, those who play the lottery the most have children who most likely won't even finish high school so who cares about a college scholarship. Or endowed speakers...what a crock of crap!! Who ever learned anything in college anyway. Bunch of blowhards who like to hear themselves speak.
Idiots.....poor Sanford. Clowns to the left, jokers to the right....
June 26, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
Taking the money from the lottery for other uses and excuses is the same as what Washington did with the Social Security money, a politician can not see any money in a trust fund and keep their money hungry greedy no good rip off hands off it. They think they are entitled to it with all the lame excuses...Both Democrats and Replublicans are guilty of this. I have no doubt they will come up with another plan to get their hands on more of the lottery money real soon.
June 26, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
"Here I Am...Stuck in the MIDDLE with You!"
Shoelaces... Bravo.... BRAVO! (fist POUNDS!)
CITY..COUNTY...STATE !! We Need TEAMWORK PERIOD!!
Not Endowments or a tax free weekend Lollipop?? Like someone is going to wait until OCTOBER to buy a GUN?? Well...guess what month is after that..NOVEMBER; you BOOB! I can imagine voters in line right now comparing their latest purchase. What are you Legislators smoking UP there?? It must be the same hooch being smoked in this state's newspapers press rooms!!!
Barbara and ELSA....get in front of someone's FACE.
June 26, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Coldbeer....Would you like a Bud, Killians, Corona, Miller, ...what?
Can you believe these DRUNKS?? Don't they realize..."ITS the ENERGY..STUPID?!" And their up there debating endowments?? You mean to tell me that now we are going to be subsidizing a ..PROFESSOR SWEEPSTAKES??? Holy toledo..BATMAN!
Just Shoot me in OCTOBER..it will be cheaper?!!
June 26, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
They had to be high on something when they approved this crap. Leave Ravanel's stash alone and do something right people! Endowed chairs......don't get me started!
Sad part is they know we are setting ourselves up for a lawsuit, but they don't care. Tax money will take care of that too!
June 26, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod1 (anonymous) says...
The lottery should be suspended .until they actually use the money for public education correctly.90%percent of our elected officials should be kicked out of office.these people are the exact reason we rank so{high]in education in this state.
June 26, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ginj (anonymous) says...
I guarantee it was Randy and Arthur being followed by Ray's boys forcing them into their faith based training classes that made them do it. No sane individual with the people's interest in mind would act as our legislature has done.
I think I'll have another one before they increase the taxes on it.
As Redd Fox used to say, "I feel the big one coming."
For those of you who know this one, BOHICA!!!!!!!!
June 26, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Does anyone remember what the wording on the lottery was when it was proposed? I can't recall how this SC "education" lottery was worded on the ballot a few years back. Did it say the money would mostly be alotted for higher education and scholarships? I can't remember. I know that I didn't opt for it because MONEY doesn't teach children.
Only problem people voted FOR this fraud of a lottery and now we are stuck with it. Just like I am not counting on receiving any Social Security money, I am not depending on any lottery money to help my child.
June 26, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Shoelaces.......
Do you have any more shoelaces for us to use??? These clowns don't realize "Its the ENERGY..STUPID?!" and we are ALL going to be walking since our taxes are going to go through the ROOF. These wizards of OUR ...OZ need to be clearing the way through all this red TAPE to tap all forms of energy we have right here in this state and start ACTING like a TEAM. We need to take Glenn's CANNON away because...HE sure isn't using it for OUR common GOOD. BOBBY....you sure sound like a SPEAKER. The song your singing isn't DIXIE..its a lullabye to OUR wallets. You need to get a BOSE wave radio and buy the ROCKY sound track and start listening to the "EYE of the TIGER". Who are you playing poker with....Lindsey Graham?? Get Busy!!!
ALFALFA..........
June 26, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Thomas1776....... We need YOU to run this LOTTERY Commision!!
BRAVO.....(fist POUNDS, POUNDS, POUNDS loudly!)
These scoundrels......there is more reporting in the comment section of this newspaper; than in the article itself. Holy......!!!!
Tanen-BUM wouldn't know how to attract flies!!! Like most of these profs and researchers have ever run a business..and they get their CHAIRS ..ENDOWED?? Who does Hodge-podge and Tanen-BUM think they are ...GOD? what these two clowns should have been doing was clearing all these red tape hurdles or streamlining processes for businesses.
If an idea or solution needs funding for start-ups, then by all means, go to the people with a plan and a bond referendum to raise the money for the start-up. Then step back and either auction to the highest bidder or contract the process out to the "Most competent and savvy business"!!
Either way the TAXPAYER WINS.
Peeler's plan on the other hand...while on the surface is noble. Lacks a vision....VISION. Bussing in OUR state is a significant drain....especially NOW. That 67 million should be alloted to the next generation statewide transportation system....something like SKYTRAN is a start!!!
ITs the ENERGY...STUPID, STUPID, STUPID LEGISLATORS !
All forms MUST be tapped...TRASH, WIND, NUCLEAR, BIO-FUEL (not CORN or Sugar...) and OIL.
GET BUSY!!!
June 26, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bkeelin (anonymous) says...
This has been going on for the last couple of years and everyone is just now getting upset about it?
Lawmakers aren't afraid of their constituencies once they get elected, they know that there are not enough concerned citizens to vote them out and they buy off just enough to continue to get re-elected.
Without revival and a return to The One True Living God we cannot even hope to turn this country or this state around.
June 26, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Wow......
http://www.thestate.com/local
/story/444018.html
Read the comments.......
June 26, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
We like to call him Governor Hodges who? After the Floyd debacle I knew he would be gone. That's about all he will be remembered for...that and his really fat tongue...what was that all about? Was that Beasley guy right after him? He didn't last after he took the confederate flag down from the state house. Do I have my governors all in a row?
Anyway, things will stay business as usual as long as we have the Richie Rich's running things for us. What do they care about OUR money? They know how to protect theirs.
I really do feel for Sanford.
June 26, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
supersoph (anonymous) says...
It is my hope that Ned Sloan sues the legislators again for bobtailing. He will win, we are supposed to have a balanced budget. Gov.Sanford is the only one with any knowledge of state government.
June 26, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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