In recent weeks, the operation of SC DSS has come under fire on this blog, as well as Voting Under The Influence. But it’s not just us new media types who are asking questions.

We were tipped off about a meeting which took place the day after we wrote about the problems at SC DSS where Representative Tom Young and other House freshman legislators met with SC DSS Director Kathleen Hayes to discuss concerns with the agency’s operations. In the meeting with Hayes and other DSS staff members were Representatives Bruce Bannister, Boyd Brown, Joe Danning, Shannon Erickson, Anton Gunn, George Hearn, Jenny Horne, Tommy Stringer, and Bill Wylie.

Along with Hayes & a host of DSS support staff, the timeline of the numerous problems, the seemingly poor coordination between the Governor’s Chief Procurement Office, DSS, and the feds. It was made clear that the mounting cost of fines upon taxpayers was unacceptable. [Read more...]

We are three weeks into the 2009 legislative session at the South Carolina House of Representatives and this column is to let you know what is going on at your State House.

First, I have sponsored or cosponsored several bills including legislation to require more roll call votes; to allow the governor to appoint most of the currently elected constitutional officers; to require the governor and lieutenant governor to run together on the same ticket; to increase the penalty and jail time for online sexual predators; to set up a legislative commission for comprehensive tax reform; to establish a Department of Administration to consolidate state government and put more state agencies under the control of the governor; to create a dedicated source of funding for road and bridge infrastructure improvements; to create a permanent source of funding for the state law enforcement academy; to limit spending in the state budget; to regulate pay day lenders; and to decrease the number of school districts statewide to save educational resources. [Read more...]