![\"oppression\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kevinbryant.com\/kbarchive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/oppression1.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" "\\"oppression\\"")
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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<\/a>). The Senate Finance Committee then released a budget Gov. Sanford has dubbed \u201cChaos Budget \u2013 The Sequel.\u201d<\/p>\n Greg Ryberg, (R-Aiken) pleaded for a vote on his version of the budget.I later \u00a0chimed in and asked for a vote. We were told NO.<\/p>\n 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. \u201cIn my 17 years in the Senate, I\u2019ve never witnessed the rejection of a vote on any amendment in any committee by any member\u201d was Ryberg\u2019s response yesterday afternoon. \u201cThe constituents of Aiken County in Senate 24 were silenced.\u201d<\/p>\n I agree that the constituents of every member of the Senate Finance Committee were\u00a0suppressed. We checked with the clerk’s office and were told that Senate rules do not apply to committee meetings. “Traditionally common\u00a0courtesy\u00a0has worked in the committee process” we were told. We need to consider a rule change that applies to committee hearings.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n