Speaker Harrell Comments on Supreme Court Ruling

House Speaker Bobby Harrell issued the following statement about today’s Supreme Court ruling that directed the Governor to follow state law and prevent money our citizens will have to repay from being sent to other states:

“I am glad this issue is now behind us. The debate on whether or not the Governor should send our money to other states, money that our taxpayers will have to pay back either way, has lasted far too long. Now is the time to move on and focus on our state’s unemployment problem. I am committed to working with the Governor and helping him use all the economic development tools he controls to focus on improving our state’s third worst in the nation unemployment rate. We cannot afford to let another minute pass before our leadership’s focus is turned to job creation and retention in South Carolina. The number of unemployed workers in South Carolina has doubled since 2003. The over 100% increase in the number of jobless citizens in our state has to be addressed and the House of Representatives stands ready to help Governor Sanford work on this problem.”

SC Dem Chair Praises President Obama's Selection of Sotomayor

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler issued the following statement after President Obama announced his selection of Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee to the United States Supreme Court. When confirmed, Sotomayor will be the third woman to serve and the Court's first Hispanic justice.


"Nominating a justice to the Supreme Court of the United States is one of a President's most significant responsibilities. President Obama pledged to select a justice with a rigorous intellect, a mastery of the law and a commitment to impartial justice. He promised to choose someone with a broad perspective on how the world works and a commonsense understanding of how the law affects the daily realities of life.

"Today President Obama delivered on his promise with the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor. Judge Sotomayor's stirring life story and outstanding career - at nearly every level of our judicial system - make her uniquely qualified to serve as America's next Supreme Court Justice. She has been lauded as a fearless jurist, with an independent mind and a deep commitment to our constitutional traditions. I commend President Obama on his excellent choice and congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her nomination," said Fowler.

SCDP Chair: Voting Rights Act Provision Still Necessary in South Carolina

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement in response to the Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 v. Holder, 08-322 case being argued today before the U. S. Supreme Court. The case challenges the coverage and constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act's provision requiring federal review of new voting procedures in states with a history of discrimination in voting.

"I think that it is critical for the Supreme Court to uphold Congress' decision to renew this provision in the Voting Rights Act. Recent voting legislation introduced by Republican lawmakers in the South Carolina General Assembly shows us that this provision is still necessary in 2009. South Carolina voters need protection from the type of discrimination Republicans are trying to reinstate in South Carolina with the removal of in-person absentee voting and the implementation of state-issued ID requirements for voters," said Fowler.

2nd Amendment Preserved

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to uphold the individual's right to keep and bear arms for self-defense and hunting.

Link to ruling to come.

Sex Offenders Punishment

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled yesterday in a 5-4 decision that sex offenders could no longer be given the death penalty for child rape. Currently, only 2 men sit on death row for that crime and both in Louisiana. Read the ruling here.

The Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal has decided in lieu of execution, those convicted of "aggravated rape, forcible rape, second degree sexual battery, aggravated incest, molestation of a juvenile when the victim is under the age of 13, or an aggravated crime against nature," may be sentenced to castration. On a second offense, the court would be required to sentence castration in addition prison time. See the full story here.

Since South Carolina is one of the state's who prior to this ruling allowed the death penalty for child rape, what do you think? Should we adopt a law similar to Louisiana's castration law?

Do you agree with the Supreme Court's decision?