West Columbia mayor stripped of oversight powers
A 5-4 vote by the West Columbia City Council stripped Mayor Joe Owens of his power to oversee council meetings, WIS reported.
Following this decision, Councilman B.J. Unthank is prepared to become council chairperson and therefore preside over meetings of the council.
In response, Owens told the crowd that he was elected by 836 votes but replaced by five. He jokingly referred to Monday’s council meeting as an execution rather than a meeting.
“They might win this battle, but they won’t win the war,” said Owens.
Before Unthank was selected as his replacement, Owens said he would provide a legal challenge to his removal from presiding over items considered by City Council, according to The State.
This vote is not an isolated decision, but rather part of an ongoing conflict between council members regarding who should have the power to preside over meetings.
Gov. Nikki Haley enacted ‘Emma’s Law’
S.C. Gov Nikki Haley signed “Emma’s Law” on Monday, with a ceremony still to follow in honor of the family that fought to have the bill enacted for their late daughter, 6-year-old Emma Longstreet, The State reported.
“I am proud to sign this bill and hope this brings peace to the Longstreet family while protecting citizens in South Carolina,” Haley said in a statement.
The law will require anyone with a former conviction for DUI with a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 percent or greater to install an ignition interlock device for a period of six months. The ignition interlock will not allow the vehicle to start if the device detects a blood-alcohol content of 0.02 percent or more.
After a second conviction with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent, the lock would be required for two years. The device would go in place permanently for anyone convicted of a fourth DUI.
Christmas Bill could permit holiday displays
A bill in the house would require all winter holidays, with or without religious affiliation, to be acknowledged if it passes, WIS reported.
The bill specifically permits a school district to put up a holiday display if the exhibit includes symbols from “more than one religion or a secular scene as well” under the condition that these symbols must be equal in number.
The bill, which lawmakers refer to as the Christmas Bill, could potentially alter how holidays are taught to students in the S.C. school system. It specifically centers around the phrase “Merry Christmas” and displaying nativity scenes in South Carolina schools.
The House must pass the bill before crossover occurs on May 1, which is the deadline for bills to make it to a vote for this session.
One member of Rep. Bill Sandifer’s office predicted that the bill will pass provided that it meets the deadline.