The SUNNIE harmon & john DeWORKEN Group
January 25, 2009 Weekly State House Preview
Every Sunday evening, The SUNNIE harmon & john DeWORKEN Group will post a commentary on this location explaining what we think will be occurring at the South Carolina State House this coming week. You will read from on insider’s point of view. We do this to better inform you. We encourage you to comment on the section below.
Senate
Now that the Senate finished with the bill that proclaims the state’s 10th Amendment rights two weeks ago, it will continue its deliberation on what the Realtors call the Point of Sale bill. This bill, contested by the municipalities of the state, is a result of Act 388 (2006 Property Tax Bill), which provides that property is reassessed at the time of sale (not every five years as was called for prior to Act 388). Senate leadership has said that the Realtors and the Municipal Association are trying to work out a deal.
The Senate is expected to debate the Voter ID bill after if they resolve the Point of Sale bill.
The Senate’s Committee schedules are full. The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Hugh Leatherman (Florence), is taking up a bill to deal with the state’s reserve fund. On Wednesday, the Senate Ag Committee, chaired by Senator Danny Verdin (Laurens), will take up the much contested Surface Water Withdrawal Bill, a bill to determine the regulatory degrees of withdrawing water.
For a list of the Senate’s Committee meetings, click here.
House
The House will take this week to move through its calendar of bills and resolutions, which includes a bill to remove the SC Superintendent from the list of Constitutional officers who are elected by the people of this state and would, therefore, be appointed by the Governor.
The House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Dan Cooper (Piedmont), will continue its budget hearings this week, with the University Center, Aeronautics Commission, DMV, Employment Security Commission, Department of Commerce, SC Research Authority, and the SC Conservation Land Bank headlining the testimonies.
In other meetings, the House Education and Public Works Committee, chaired by Rep. Phil Owens (Pickens) will discuss a bill that prohibits texting while driving.
57 Legislative Days Left until Sine Die Adjournment (June 3, 2009)
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