Immigration proposal grinds in Statehouse

Posted on May 2, 2008 
Filed Under News

Lawmakers near final rendering of school sales tax bill

COLUMBIA -The House-Senate bickering over who should act first, and how, on a compromise immigration reform bill continued Friday when House Speaker Bobby Harrell fired a volley over to the Senate.

Harrell, R-Charleston, wrote to Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, chairman of the conference committee that is working on a compromise between the two versions of the bill.

Later in the day, Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston and leader of the Senate, fired back, repeating his chamber’s position on the issue.

The Senate demanded on Thursday that the House vote on the compromise, which eliminates the federal I-9 form as an acceptable use.

The forms are usually simply filled out and filed, and many lawmakers say they are a loophole for employers who deliberately hire illegal immigrants.

The Senate insisted the House vote “free conference,” meaning it allows the members of the conference committee to negotiate over an item. Free conference takes a two-thirds vote, however, and the House insists it does not need free conference to remove the I-9 from the list of acceptable verifications.

Harrell’s letter, a copy of which was provided to the media, said the Senate apparently does not understand the House rules and that there is precedent for what the members want to do.

Harrell demanded that the Senate members of the conference committee sign the agreement so the House can hold its majority-only vote on it.

“All they have to do is sign our report, and we’ll take a vote,” said Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, a member of the conference committee. “They’re trying to muddy the waters.”

The Senate says it cannot sign the report unless the House gets a free conference vote because that is what Senate rules require.

McConnell’s letter said the public cannot have confidence in laws legislators pass if lawmakers won’t abide by their own rules.

Viers said there was talk that the conference committee may meet again Tuesday, but as of Friday afternoon it had not been scheduled.

Despite the verbal swordplay, members on both sides say they believe they will reach an agreement.

School sales tax

A bill allowing public schools to partner with local colleges on a capital improvement sales tax referendum is headed for passage this week.

The House passed the bill, sponsored by Horry County’s House members, and sent it to the Senate on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, an almost identical bill sponsored by Sen. Ray Cleary, R-Murrells Inlet, passed the second of three readings in the Senate with little discussion. Third readings are usually routine. When companion bills pass in both chambers, it is usually simple to combine them for final passage without each going through the committee process again.

Few committee meetings are scheduled this week, with both chambers dedicating their time Tuesday and Wednesday to passing as many bills as they can over to the other side before the May 1 deadline. Sometimes they will work until midnight April 30.

The House is also expected to review Senate action on the $7 billion budget. The Senate stripped all projects and most economic development funds, including tourism promotion, after a grim revenue forecast.

Myrtle Beach Sun News
Zane Wilson
4/27/08