After numerous requests for a vote, we were told we would not be voting on the alternative budget produced by Senators Ryberg and Davis (summarized here). The Senate Finance Committee then released a budget Gov. Sanford has dubbed “Chaos Budget – The Sequel.”
Greg Ryberg, (R-Aiken) pleaded for a vote on his version of the budget.I later chimed in and asked for a vote. We were told NO.
The Ryberg-Davis budget used methodology used by the House of Representatives to produced the officially certified figures. The math worked, the budget was certified, but unfortunately, the committee was denied an opportunity to vote on excellent work by Ryberg and Davis. “In my 17 years in the Senate, I’ve never witnessed the rejection of a vote on any amendment in any committee by any member” was Ryberg’s response yesterday afternoon. “The constituents of Aiken County in Senate 24 were silenced.”
I agree that the constituents of every member of the Senate Finance Committee were suppressed. We checked with the clerk’s office and were told that Senate rules do not apply to committee meetings. “Traditionally common courtesy has worked in the committee process” we were told. We need to consider a rule change that applies to committee hearings.
The Anderson Independent Mail did cover the two budget versions, but I was unable to contact them to notify the vote was denied.
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