Many wanted to rush in to raise the cigarette tax because they are embarrassed that we have the lowest in the Nation. However, I wonder why there’s not an outcry to lower one of the highest income tax burdens in the US?
Here’s an exchange between Sen. Mick Mulvaney (R-Indian Land) and myself on this topic. The video was prepared by The Nerve (SC Policy Council)
This is the miracle we prayed for. Normally conference committees don’t open with a prayer, but after several meetings with no agreement with the required 4 votes, we opened the last meeting in prayer and asked for a miracle. We got one!
Here is a snap-snot of the signature page of the conference report on H. 3245, the 24 hour waiting period. Senators Brad Hutto, Jake Knotts, myself and Representatives Greg Delleney, Ted Vick, and Wendy Nanney were the members of that conference committee. Remember a conference committee is required to hammer out differences between Senate & House versions of a bill.
I also want to thank Holly Gatling (SC Citizens for Life), Oran Smith (Palmetto Family Council), Joe Mack (SC Baptist Convention) Medical Affairs Committee Research Staff, and Senate attorneys.
Seeing that the conference committee represents the membership of the legislature’s diversity on the varying degrees on this issue, I was confident that a conference report would be easily adopted in the full Senate and the full House. The bill now awaits ratification, then an expected signature by Gov. Sanford.
General Assembly Saves 24-Hour Abortion Bill
Waiting Period Gives Day Long Reflecting Period Before Terminating Life
Columbia, SC – June 14, 2010 – With just hours left in the 2010 session, the South Carolina General Assembly passed a bill requiring women to wait 24-hours before having an abortion. Chaired by Senator Kevin Bryant, a conference committee came to an agreement that will lower the number of abortions in South Carolina.
South Carolina is currently the only state in the country to have a one-hour waiting period for abortions – the shortest waiting period of all states with a waiting period. The new law would require a 24-hour waiting period upon printed materials about abortion being given to the patient. Information will also be placed on an interactive website created by DHEC.
The extended period would give women a full day of reflection before making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. The additional time to reflect on the risks of and alternatives to abortion will lower the number of abortions in South Carolina, help protect more unborn children and give mothers more time to consider the health risks.
In presenting the committee report to the Senate, Senator Bryant said, “Each child is a gift from God and a person should truly reflect on their decision before terminating its life. A lot of abortions are made during crisis situations and this new law will simply require mothers to stop and think for twenty-four hours before making such a life altering decision.”
Senators Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson), Jake Knotts (R-Lexington) and Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg) and Representatives Greg Delleney (R-Chester), Wendy Nanney (R- Greenville) and Ted Vick (D-Chesterfield) served on the conference committee. The bill was pushed through committee by Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee).
“South Carolina’s unborn children are safer because of the conference committee’s hard work. I’m proud that we were able to pass one of the most common sense bills of the session just in the nick of time,” Majority Leader Peeler said. “I want to particularly thank Senator Bryant for not giving up and forcing the conference committee to come up with a compromise. He personally saved this bill.”
DETAILS – H. 3245 – 24 Hour
Requires a woman to certify the she has received printed materials produced by DHEC 24 hours prior to an abortion.
Materials include:
– List of healthcare providers offering free ultrasounds
– Plainly worded explanation of how to determine gestational age of fetus
– Role of genetics in reproduction
– Forms for certifying you have seen the material
Materials may be printed from DHEC’s website – or requested to be mailed to the woman.
The Conference Report does not require a woman to receive an ultrasound 24 hours prior to an abortion. Current law requires an ultrasound one (1) hour prior to an abortion.
In endorsing Connor, SC Club for Growth PAC Chairman Chad Walldorf said in a statement,
“Bill Connor is the kind of leader that South Carolina needs. He’s committed to the reform movement and will control wasteful spending, fight for government accountability and stand up for taxpayers. As we saw on Tuesday night, South Carolinians are supporting a new generation of conservative reformers. Bill Connor will join them with a victory on June 22.”
Connor noted the Club’s recent successes in the Treasurers race as well as their history of supporting strong conservative candidates in state politics.
“I am pleased and honored to have the support of the South Carolina Club for Growth,” Connor said. “This is an organization dedicated to real reforms and opposing good old boy network, Establishment politics. Their sterling record of success speaks to the level of their commitment. As a political outsider who has never run for office, I share their vision of limited government and greater freedom for South Carolinians, and I’m grateful for their support.”
About Bill Connor: Bill Connor is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve who received the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his service in combat as the senior American advisor in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Bill is the first post-9/11 combat veteran to announce and file for South Carolina statewide office, and the only combat veteran running for Lt. Governor. His opponent in the Republican runoff is Ken Ard. In addition to his Reserve duties, Bill serves as the Chairman of the Board of Orangeburg Christian Academy. Bill is a graduate of the Citadel and USC Law School.
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Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ): “The fight is about who is going to run public education in New Jersey. The parents and the people they elect or the mindless, faceless union leaders who decide that they’re going to be the ones who run it because they have the money and the authority to bully around school boards and local councils. So, listen, I know I don’t make myself the most popular guy in the world by having this fight, but [if] we don’t win this fight, there’s no other fights left. This is the fight we have to fight, this is the fight we have to win for the kids.”
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/06/04/gov_christie_to_teachers_unions_you_punch_them_i_punch_you_.html
