SC Lawmakers Scramble To Script Special Session
South Carolina lawmakers are working feverishly behind the scenes to script the upcoming “special” session of the General Assembly, starting with the document that will govern what lawmakers can (and cannot) take up during their “perfunctory” return to the state capital this week.
At the end of each legislative session, lawmakers must pass a resolution outlining the terms of their adjournment – along with a list of items they are “allowed” to consider in the event they are called back by Speaker of the House and Senate President prior to the commencement of the following year’s session in January.
It’s called a Sine Die resolution (which is Latin for “without day”), and it is the document that permits lawmakers to reconvene at a later date to take up things like the governor’s budget vetoes, for example.
In fact, lawmakers have already adjourned – and then called themselves back – once already this year under the terms of the current Sine Die resolution (i.e. this bill).
But can this resolution – this document – be amended?
Of course it can. In fact, based on our reading of the statute it will have to be amended if lawmakers want to fix their mistake related to the state’s Employment Security Commission – which is run by three former lawmakers.
Accordingly, FITS has learned that Senate President Glenn McConnell has scheduled a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee for Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. – or two hours before the Senate is gaveled into session.
The purpose of that meeting? To discuss “amendments to the Sine Die resolution.”
Following that meeting, at 11:00 a.m., McConnell and the rest of the Senate “Republican” Caucus will meet to discuss their strategy.
So … here’s the $64,000 question … will lawmakers amend the resolution to allow for impeachment proceedings against S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford?
S.C. Rep. Greg Delleney has indicated that he will push to introduce his impeachment resolution, although it remains to be seen whether or not he will actually do that.
Clearly McConnell – and S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell – are counting on Delleney to back down and merely introduce his bill as opposed to pushing for it to be heard.
That could happen. If Delleney simply files his bill, it will be automatically referred to its proper committee – the House judiciary committee, where it will be scheduled for a subcommittee hearing at some point in January.
Barring some unforeseen revelation, such a scenario playing out would guarantee Sanford at least another three months in office.
However, if Delleney makes a motion to amend the Sine Die resolution – in essence asking the General Assembly to hear his case now – lawmakers will be in a bit of a pickle.
Such a move would force them to vote on whether or not Sanford’s various offenses warrant immediate consideration – putting every Republican in the unenviable position of having to cast a pro-Sanford vote.
Needless to say, Democrats are licking their chops at that prospect.
Delleney’s motion to amend the Sine Die resolution would require two-thirds majorities of both chambers.
Comments
By Jonny D on October 26th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Angry and offended, Delleney used to be a little boy, so old in his shoes. And that will make it all the more entertaining when he turtles!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JiTrzx28H8
By beentook2 on October 26th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
If this deal comes off, someone needs to call the History Channel. HC would love to do a documentary : “South Carolina Cockroaches eat one of their own. Cockroaches worldwide, especially the double hardback breed in Washington, DC, are afraid a virus is about and the attack may not be restricted to South Carolina. Until a vaccine is found, South Carolina Cockroaches cannot travel outside their State borders and can only feed off their host state residents. Estimates are that unless a vaccine is found soon, host state residents of South Carolina will be completely consumed by November 3, 2009. If this happens, South Carolina will be chiseled off from all bordering states and become an island. A similar scenario was proposed for South Carolina in the mid 1800’s after Glenn “Red Neck from Ravenel” McConnell’s fired the first shot on Fort Sumter. RNfR has not commented on the proposed documentary nor the fact that he is now over 170 years old and still wears his Bars and Stars uniform to bed every night.”
By Bin There on October 26th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Senate Democrats are meeting at 11:oo also.
By kevin kelly on October 26th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
meanwhile back in reality millions of people are kept jobless,homeless,penniless, and now without hope for jobless benefits.
By Ynot on October 26th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I say and vote IMPEACH THE BUM IMMEDIATELY. SANFORD IS DANGEROUS, a wolf in sheep’s clothing…. ha
By alaindelon on October 26th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Delleney did not force Sinfraud to espouse family values and obsess
about his johnson or Maria Chapur’s pompom.
By Designated Driver on October 27th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Or them magnificent orbs.
By Darth on October 27th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Let me see, these are the folks that insisted that it was McCain’s turn for the nomination… is there a shred of respectability left at Main and Gervais?