S.188 Another Good Bill = Ethics Fines

At the Januiary 25, 2022 board meeting I was planning to introduce a Resolution to the school board.

Too bad I got kicked out. But there will be another day. S.188 is languishing in the S.C.Senate, where it has been stuck in the Judiciary Committee for a year. It would prohibit a person from filing for office, if s/he owed money to the S.C. Ethics Commission (or the House or the Senate Ethics Commissions).

Bye, bye, Amelia McKie, if this Bill passes both chambers and is quickly approved by the Governor.

RESOLUTION

The Board of Trustees of the Richland School District Two, being informed of a Bill in the South Carolina Senate, S 188, hereby  submits this Resolution to the Senate and its members.

 

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the People of the State of South Carolina to have only responsible elected officials in public office;

WHEREAS, the list of debtors of the South Carolina Ethics Commission contacts the names of many public officials and candidates for office;

WHEREAS, many on the list are not paying their fines, penalties and fees to the South Carolina Ethics Commission;

WHEREAS, the South Carolina Department of Revenue is not an effective collection agent on behalf of the South Carolina Ethics Commission;

WHEREAS, the debtor’s list dated December 10, 2021, contains the names of approximately 300 debtors owing $2,638,357.04, not counting ethics debts of South Carolina Representatives and Senators.

WHEREAS, this bill, when passed, may entice debtors on the list to enter into payment arrangements to settle their debts before they next file a Statement of Candidacy for any public office.

 

NOW BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Richland School District Two finds that S. 188 is in the best interests of the People of the State of South Carolina and the residents of Richland School District Two and urges the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate to pass S.188 as quickly as possible.

Signed this _________ day of _____________, 2022, in Richland County, South Carolina,  by

 

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Trustee                                                                        Trustee

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Trustee                                                                        Trustee

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Trustee                                                                        Trustee

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Chair