Will Katrina challenge Jake?
Could set up the nastiest race in years
For months pro-Sanford reform supporters have been working hard to recruit a candidate against their biggest thorn, Senator Jake Knotts. The problem is that all potential candidates know just how nasty this race will be.
Popular Lexington County GOP Chairwoman and former State House candidate Katrina Shealy has for months been contemplating a bid against Knotts. Sources close to Shealy say that she is very close to making a final decision, and that is definitely leaning more toward running than not.
Shealy is well liked amongst the party faithful, but Knotts is one of the most popular Senators in the state amongst his constituents.
As for us, we really like both Katrina and Jake. They are two of our favorite SC politicos. This one will be real fun to watch.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Jake will punnish her.
Party hacks always think they can win elected office…but rarely can.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I hear she’s already retained Starboard.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Anyone that runs against Jake Knotts that is pro-Sanford will lose.
Sanfraud has issues. Way too many issues. It’s going to be very difficult for anyone to defend the Govendevelopnor.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Mark Sanford Video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6329328762201502804&q=mark+sanford&total=72&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2
March 5th, 2008 at 12:53 am
The state legislature will resume discussion of its pending immigration bill this week, with a local legislative crusader against illegal immigration overseeing its final stage.
Three members each of the state House of Representatives and Senate will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday to try to resolve differences in their different versions of the immigration bill. Both chambers agree on a variety of measures to crack down on illegal immigrants through law enforcement, but disagree over the methods private employers should use to check the citizenship of new employees.
After the committee hashes out those differences, the compromise bill will return to both chambers for a vote. If it passes, it will go to Gov. Mark Sanford for a signature.
Among the six legislators entrusted with creating a compromise bill is state Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach.
“Thad has been a leader in the immigration debate,” said House Speaker Bobby Harrell, who appointed Viers.
Many measures in the bill were introduced by Viers over the years, Harrell noted. Viers was also instrumental in helping form a Horry County chapter of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, an anti-immigration group that fights for reform and recruits volunteers to patrol the border.
Meanwhile, the Minuteman group is protesting what it calls the “weakening” of the bill, with a rally planned for noon on March 10 on the Capitol steps, according to its Web site.
Mark Sanford on Illegal Immigration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHJohB8htGk
March 5th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Buford Mabry Attorney for SCDNR Wants to Title Boats when they are Uncertain of Ownership
Bill would make boat titles easier
COLUMBIA | A House subcommittee Tuesday agreed to a bill aimed at modernizing the state’s archaic boat title laws and making them easier for individuals and dealers.
The same panel delayed action on a bill barring exports of wild-caught turtles from the state.
The boating bill has been under study for seven years, said Department of Natural Resources attorney Buford Mabry.
“This is long overdue,’’ he said.
Almost all boats in the state are required to have a title, just as a vehicle is. Canoes and kayaks are exempt, as are paddle boats with no motors.
Getting a title is not a problem when buying a new boat, but it often is when individuals sell one, or the dealer sells a used one before the title paperwork is complete, or if the old title can’t be found.
In the case of used boats sold by dealers or individuals, “We give temporary use permits so people can use a boat until they get the title,’’ something that has not been available, Mabry said.
Without the title, the new owner can’t use the boat.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/breaking_news/story/371725.html
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A bill aimed at easing the tangle of red tape needed to register a boat that has been inactive or is of uncertain ownership will be up for a hearing Tuesday by a subcommittee of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
State Rep. Billy Witherspoon, R-Conway, sponsored the bill. He said it has been in the works for five years to solve situations such as the inheritance of a boat. It’s hard to get new titles for them, he said.
The proposal requires people to publish a legal ad seeking comment on the boat, and if there is none, it can receive a new title, Witherspoon said.
He said a possible side effect could be cleanup of the state’s waterways littered with abandoned boats. No one wants them because it would be impossible to get the title, he said.
Under the proposal, a boat that still has life in it could be claimed by anyone who wants it.
The bill includes other provisions of boating law, but does not call for any fee increases, Witherspoon said.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/politics/story/369042.html
March 5th, 2008 at 2:39 am
WARNING: Bill H.4736 Would Replace SCDNR Board with Cabinet Position
Please be aware that a bill is currently moving through the House Judiciary Ad Hoc Committee on Restructuring that would remove the DNR board and replace it with a Cabinet position. This would further politicize the group responsible for managing SCDNR South Carolina’s natural resources as well as remove any oversight from its constituents.
Please read the email below from Cary Chamblee about this as well as the response from the South Carolina Wildlife Federation:
From Cary Chamblee: A bill, H. 4736, by Representative Jim Harrison was introduced last week that will remove the DNR Board and replace it with a Secretary appointed by the Governor. This gives SCWF great concern because it would remove access to DNR from hunters, fishermen and sportsmen. Important decisions about our beloved sports and our out of doors would be made by one person, a political appointee. The SC Wildlife Federation made comments at the first hearing last week and these comments are summarized below.
Please help save our DNR Board and our outdoor heritage by contacting your friends in the legislature and calling, emailing the committee and coming to Columbia on Wednesday to speak up for our voice at DNR. You may also wish to inform the members of your organization of this proposal. This may be the last opportunity for public input in the House. Click on H.4736 above for a copy of the bill.
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The Committee will meet Wednesday March 4, 2008 one hour after adjournment of the House of Representatives in Room 516 of the Blatt Building. ( Approximately 1:30 PM) Below is the planned agenda for this meeting.
Comments on H.4736 Restructuring DNR — House Judiciary Ad Hoc Committee on Restructuring
We are very concerned about this bill and oppose putting the DNR in the Cabinet, and swapping the Board for a single politically appointed Secretary.
DNR was restructured in 1994 under a restructuring law that took months to craft, with the input from user groups and stakeholders from many backgrounds and diverse interests. The current system, providing for a Board appointed by the Governor, and an Executive Director chosen from among conservation professionals is working quite well and should be retained. This system already has great influence by the Governor, but retains a link to constituents and user groups.
Hunting, fishing and boating is a $1.8 Billion industry in SC. These sports are enjoyed by well over one million outdoor enthusiasts. This is big business which is important to the economy and to the lives, jobs and well being of a large portion of our population.
DNR is a highly complex agency requiring expertise in many fields and disciplines. It is responsible for the management and protection of thousands of species of animals and plants, hundreds of thousands of acres of habitat and outdoor recreation areas, boating access and safety, law enforcement, fishery management, wildlife management, marine science,water management, conservation best management practices, and much more. Each of these areas come with their own constituencies, histories, traditions, problems, funding sources and complexities. It takes a lifetime of work in these fields to become proficient and even highly educated and seasoned professionals learn constantly. This is no place for a political appointee.
One way that DNR maintains contact with its varied constituencies is through advisory boards, each of which is chaired by a DNR Board member. This provides for an excellent conduit for information to travel from the outdoors enthusiast to the Board and to the legislature.
We are also concerned about politicizing DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. Their officers are in place to enforce game and environmental laws and must be free to do so without fear of undue influence and reprisal.
Removing the DNR Board would diminish its stature in government. It should be a high profile, somewhat independent agency.
One criticism of the current structure that we would offer is that DNR Board Members can be removed from the Board without cause. We recommend that the law be amended to allow removal of Board members only for cause. They should be free to make decisions of policy without fear of removal.
Changing direction every four years with the change of governors would cause inconsistency in direction and inefficiency. We are also concerned that an appointee without an appropriate background or experience could foul-up great programs and progress that took years to attain.
In summary, the risks of change far outweigh any perceived benefits. We hope that you will carry this bill over and allow for further study and greater input from DNR’s constituents.
http://lowcountryhunting.com/2008/03/03/warning-bill-h4736-would-replace-scdnr-board-with-cabinet-position/
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A BILL…..H. 4736
TO AMEND SECTION 1-30-75, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE HEADED AND GOVERNED BY A DIRECTOR APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ABOVE PROVISION SHALL BECOME AN ADVISORY BODY; TO AMEND SECTIONS…. ALL RELATING IN PART TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, SO AS TO CONFORM THESE PROVISIONS TO THE ABOVE PROVISIONS PROVIDING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MUST BE HEADED AND GOVERNED BY A DIRECTOR APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE.
http://scstatehouse.net/cgi-bin/query.exe?first=DOC&querytext=Environmental&category=Legislation&session=117&conid=2940225&result_pos=260&keyval=1174736
March 5th, 2008 at 4:41 am
SCDP Chair Says Sanford Should Be Investigated
Columbia, SC- South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement in response to the call for an investigation into Gov. Mark Sanford’s role in the Port Royal deal.
“There should be an investigation into Mark Sanford’s shady deal. South Carolina residents don’t need politicians who use their power and influence for their own and their friends’ personal interests.
This type of cash-for-favors politics is better suited for mafia movies and crime dramas than real life. It hurts our state more than it helps,” said Fowler. “From John McCain’s ties to corporate lobbyists to Mark Sanford’s cash-for-favors scheme, Democrats are ready to change how business is done in Washington and Columbia.”
http://blogs.thestate.com/bradwarthensblog/files/fowler_release.htm
South Carolina Democratic Party
1529 Hampton St. Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone 803-799-7798
info@scdp.org
The operative words are MAFIA and CRIME………….”cash-for-favors politics is better suited for MAFIA movies and CRIME dramas”
March 5th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Governor Mark Sanford NOT complying with a federal identification law Congress passed in 2005.
The Govendevelopnor Sanfraud has held out.
Protecting criminals is job #1 for the Govendelopnor.
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/336558.html
March 5th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Developnor Sanfraud against a “Real I.D.”
Homeland Security says the Real ID, a new driver’s license, will have security features to prevent forgery and will only be issued after a check of birth certificates, Social Security numbers and immigration status.
Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff says that …South Carolina must seek an extension by the end of this month, or, starting May 11, residents …won’t be able to use their driver’s licenses to board a domestic flight.
If South Carolina does not seek an extension by March 31, we pluffmudders and other South Kakalackians will be subject to a second security screening at airports.
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/mar/05/good_morning_lowcountry32661/
March 5th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Largest pot busts in Kentucky in years via Port of Charleston, South Carolina
http://www2.beaufortgazette.com/blogs/post/18250
Operation Jackpot vs. Garry Chupurdy Operation Cat’s Meow - Beaufort, SC
http://www2.beaufortgazette.com/blogs/post/18079
March 7th, 2008 at 4:24 am
The areas around Lexington are ready for a change. We need a responsible, Republican senator who will make us proud. This will not be an election between Knotts and Sanford, but an election between an the ineffective Knotts and the highly viable Shealy