In the News
The Economist: Prisons full, coffers empty
Southern Republicans think it’s time to slow down the growth of locking up On the outskirts of Columbia, South Carolina’s capital, lies a rolling swathe of farmland where cattle graze, tomatoes sprout and razor wire glints in the afternoon sun. This well-tended campus is home to seven of the state’s 28 prisons, including both Broad [...]
Gov. Sanford Calls for Passage of Sentencing Reform
LEGISLATION AIMED AT SAVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS, REDUCING RECIDIVISM Columbia, S.C. – April 21, 2010 – Gov. Mark Sanford today joined legislative leaders and state officials to call for passage of the sentencing reform bill (S.1154) now being debated in the South Carolina House of Representatives. These reforms would reverse the trend toward incarcerating non-violent criminals [...]
Commission releases findings on state’s prison system
How long and how heavily should convicted offenders be punished? That’s the question a panel of lawmakers set out to answer nearly two years ago when the Sentencing Reform Commission first began their work. If some lawmakers get their way, some inmates may be leaving prison early while others get longer sentences. “We can not [...]
Social media helps Statehouse legislator
Connecting with state Rep. Murrell Smith online is just a click away on Facebook or Twitter as he takes advantage of the Internet and social media to reach constituents. Smith, R-Sumter, is discovering the benefits of having accounts on both social media sites along with his new Web site, launched last month. “Technology played a [...]
Impeach Sanford rally being organized on Facebook
A Facebook group “Impeach Mark Sanford,” created by a Democratic Party activist, is organizing a rally at the Statehouse Thursday evening. The group has 5,857 members and 41 have signed up to attend the rally at 5:30 p.m. on the North side of the Statehouse. The group’s administrator is Marilyn Hemingway, who fell short of [...]
Press Release: Murrell Smith Launches Campaign Website
Murrell Smith Launches Campaign Website Highlighting New Media to Connect with Voters Sumter, SC – Today, Representative Murrell Smith of House District 67, announced the official launch of his new website, http://murrellsmith.com. The website is completely interactive, featuring blog posts and Twitter updates. There is also a “latest media” sidebar for easy navigation to his [...]
Land rights in sight
Millage cap exception for property near bases needs Sanford’s signature The previously tied hands of Sumter officials could be loosened if Gov. Mark Sanford signs into law a bill that allows counties a special exception to a state-mandated millage cap in order to purchase land rights around military facilities. And many Sumter officials will breathe [...]
Really putting an end to animal fighting
Two years ago I supported legislation to really put an end to animal fighting and cockfighting in South Carolina. Frankly, I expected it to be an issue that would sail through the Legislature. How on earth could anyone be in favor of animal fighting, one of the cruelest practices known to man? The animal and [...]
State’s no-bid contract takes fire
Some wonder if S.C. paid too much to insure property COLUMBIA — South Carolina hired an insurance broker with ties to a former legislator to provide coverage without seeking competitive bids, a practice that may have cost millions of dollars during the past 25 years. The state Budget and Control Board contracted with Columbia’s Competitive [...]
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