05/27/2008
Cigarette tax bill passes the General Assembly
On Wednesday, after considering 10 amendments to House Bill 3567, the House adopted one amendment by Rep. William Witherspoon (Conway) that would allocate $1 million a year in cigarette taxes to the Department of Agriculture for the marketing of state-grown produce.
The Senate concurred with the House amendment, and the bill was sent on Thursday to Gov. Mark Sanford. He has until midnight on Wednesday, May 28, to sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature. Based on a press release issued by the governor May 8, he is expected to veto the bill.
State spending caps: Dead for the year
On Tuesday, after much debate, the Senate gave second reading to Senate Bill 718, the state spending caps bill, and carried over S.1220, the enabling legislation. Once the state reaches its spending limit, any excess funds could be used for capital improvement projects, debt retirement or a tax rebate, under an amendment approved by the Senate.
On Wednesday, however, the Senate failed to give S.718 a third reading, and the bill was removed from the Senate calendar. S.1220 was sent back to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which means both bills are probably dead for the year. NFIB supported the spending caps legislation, which would have required state government to live within its means.
Immigration: Possibility of compromise?
Senate Judiciary Chairman Glenn McConnell (Charleston) took to the Senate floor Thursday afternoon to report on a conversation he had with Speaker Bobby Harrell (Charleston). Chairman McConnell said, "I told the speaker we can still do immigration reform. We still have H.4400 on the Senate calendar, but we need a consensus between the House and Senate to get it done."
Sen. John McCain to Speak at 2008 National Small Business Summit
Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, will be the keynote speaker at the 2008 National Small Business Summit. His address is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m.
NFIB has joined forces with eBay to create an event you don't want to miss. You'll be able to interact with policymakers, business leaders and other leading entrepreneurs, share your experiences and find new ideas to boost your business.
Come and hear Meg Whitman, former president and CEO of eBay, as she shares her business insights. Tony Snow, CNN commentator and former press secretary to President George W. Bush, will energize you with his behind-the-scenes perspective on Washington politics and much more. The Summit is June 8-11, 2008. Get more details and registration information online, or call Member Support Manager Katie Jones at 803-254-1476.
