1-S. 2, or spending caps create a Budget Stabilization Fund or BSF. I offered an amendment that was a simple automatic tax refund to the overcharged taxpayer if the following criteria are met: “When the balance in the Budget Stabilization Fund is greater than 15% of the prior year’s actual general fund revenue collection and when the big spenders have grown government to match the 10 year projections (roughly 4.5%), then the taxpayer will get an automatic refund. My amendment was tabled back in 2008, but this time it passed!

2-Another amendment passed that distributed equal portions of excess funds to 3 things 1-tax rebate, 2-debt retirement and 3-OPEB (other post employment benefits).

H. 3245 passed the Senate today with a unanimous vote. I offered an amendment that had common ground to other members that don’t have the convictions of life that I do. The current bill required the mother to get her information from the abortion clinic. Those opposed to this bill had a problem with forcing the mother to drive far distances to the clinic, then have to return 24 hours later. The reasons I  introduced this amendment was that I wanted to give the mother options of where she gets her information. She could go to the abortion clinic, her personal doctor, or crisis pregnancy centers. It is my hope that many mothers would visit a crisis pregnancy center. They will get loving scriptural council and assistance offered if she would like to keep her child.

Here’s some bullet points of the bill:
-allows mothers to obtain information from other sources (if from internet certificate must be on file with clinic)
-requires printed material and DHEC maintained website to have listed free ultrasound providers (if providers opt in)
-allows mothers to obtain ultrasound from other sources
-requires 24 hours from receiving information from other sources
-releases providers of free ultrasounds from liability
-prohibits future regulation of free ultrasound providers
-does not force cooperation of free ultrasound providers
-requires ultrasound to be used for 24 hour purposes to be verified by certificate or printed time-stamped image

 

It is my hope that the South Carolina House would concur with this bill. If not, we’d have a conference committee putting its ultimate passage in jeopardy.

Press release below: Abortion 24-Hour Waiting Period Passes Medical Affairs Committee
Waiting Period Gives Mothers More Time To Reflect
Columbia, SC – March 25, 2010 – The South Carolina Senate today passed a bill that extends the waiting period for abortions from just one hour to twenty-four hours.

South Carolina is currently the only nation 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 the completion of an ultrasound or the giving of materials about abortion to the patient.

The extended period would give women a full day of reflection before making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. It is the hope of bill sponsors that 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.
The bill was ushered through the Senate by Senators Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) and Mike Fair (R-Greenville) after being pushed out of committee by Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee). 

“Today South Carolina’s Senators, both Republican and Democrat, found common ground to protect our state’s unborn children,” said Senator Bryant. “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 would simply require mothers to stop and think for twenty-four hours before making such a life altering decision.”

Click here for a video statement from Senator Bryant. (coming soon)

 “South Carolina should serve as an example to the nation on this issue, not lag behind more liberal states,” Senator Fair said. “No one knows how many babies will be saved if we extend the waiting period to 24 hours. All we know is that some mothers will decide to deliver their baby. That’s enough for me and I’m happy that it was enough for the State Senate.”
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ANDERSON COUNTY WELCOMES HIGHLAND GAMES

HIGHLAND GAMES TO ADD INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR TO ANDERSON COUNTY

ANDERSON COUNTY, SC—Anderson County is pleased to welcome the Loch Hartwell Highland Games and Festival to Anderson County. A press conference is scheduled for 1:30 pm on Wednesday, March 24 at the Balloon Launch Field across the street from the Civic Center of Anderson. Mr. Mike Gordon, the Lock Hartwell Convener of the Highland Games, will be in attendance to share information about the October 2^ndevent. The public is invited to attend.

“We are excited that Anderson County is continuing to gain a strong reputation as a tourist destination,” said Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “Tourism IS economic development. It brings money into our County’s economy and positively impacts our businesses bottom lines. The Highland Games is yet another event that will showcase all that Anderson County has to offer.”

“With our county’s rich Scots/Irish heritage, this event will have a natural, built-in audience,” said Anderson County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Glenn Brill.  “Additionally, I expect it will attract tourists from throughout the Southeast who will spend money in our hotels, retail stores, restaurants and gas stations.  It will be an economic shot in the arm for Anderson County’s economy.”

# # #

Angela C. Stringer

Public Information Officer/Web Manager

Anderson County

PO Box 8002

Anderson, SC 29621

864.260.1052   864.934.6451

From Michael Harden’s website, Georgia House of Representatives:The legislation I introduced will require recipients of public assistance to submit to at least one random drug screen every year. Upon the first positive the person will lose their benefits until a negative test is taken. Upon a second positive or failed screen, the person will lose their benefits for a period of two years.

This is the first bill of its kind that will not be a cost to the taxpayers, but a cost that the recipient pays for out of their benefits. The test will cost less than $25 and spread out over the year will result in $2 per month deduction from benefits. This will hardly cause some to “go hungry” as has been suggested by critics.

This legislation will not affect any children under the age of 18. We will not allow the children of this state to fall between the cracks because of mistakes of their parents. Our hope is that no one receiving tax payer dollars is spending them to subsidize illegal drug activity, but if they are they need to be identified so they can get treatment. read more

At 10:30 am, October 14, 1952 Private Calvin Quarles was injured in the Korean War. He was on Company B, 13th Engineer Combat Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, APO 7, Republic of Korea, United States Army.

I was honored to take part in the Purple Heart Medal Presentation at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Anderson on Sunday March 21st. Also participating were Mr. Sammy Lewis (Veterans Affairs Officer), Rev. Jimmy Washington, and Rep. Don Bowen. Ms. Angie Stringer of Anderson County made this event possible. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and lunch after the service.

Here are my remarks: I would like to thank this Church for giving me the honor of being a part of this presentation. Pastor Washington, I appreciate your stirring message. Rev. Washington spoke about Jesus Christ giving his life for us. Jesus Christ also said (now Pastor, I’m trying to quote this verse from memory) “Greater love hath no man, than he that would give his life for his friend.” 56 years ago,

Rev. Calvin Quarles had a friend. It was me even though I hadn’t been born yet. Rev. Quarles put himself in harms way. Rev. Quarles took a bullet for freedom. Rev. Quarles took a bullet for democracy. Rev. Quarles took a bullet for free elections. Rev. Quarles took a bullet for the freedom to worship. Rev. Quarles took a bullet for the freedom of speech. Rev. Quarles took a bullet for y’all. Rev. Quarles took a bullet for me. Rev. Quarles, I want to thank you personally for taking a bullet for me.  Thank you for taking a bullet for the United States of America and for South Carolina. Anderson Independent Mail coverage