South Carolina Senate adopt rules change to put votes on the record

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14 January 2009

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In a positive step for transparency, the South Carolina Senate adopted a rules change that requires most votes to be recorded. In the past many votes were done though voice votes, allowing constituents no way to track their senator's decisions. Proponents say the new rule will make the legislators accountable, reduce spending, and promote economic growth. [1]

[edit] Rules change

The new rules change was adopted unanimously with little debate. While Gov. Mark Sanford has routinely criticized lawmakers for using voice votes, public outcry for increased transparency acted as a strong catalyst for the change.

Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, who offered the bill that was adopted, was hopeful about the change. He stated, “Some may say it was a small step by the Senate, but I view it as a giant leap for transparency.”[1]

The rules also reduced the number of Senators needed to request a roll-call vote down to three. Sen. Larry Martin was among those who did not agree with every detail in the bill, but said “I think the day of transparency, of voters having a better understanding of how we vote on things, is here."[1]

[edit] Roll-call votes

Roll-call votes require that every senator's decision be recorded. Under the new rules, recorded votes will be taken on the following:

  • All contested bills
  • All uncontested bills with a fiscal impact over $10,000
  • All bills or resolutions authorizing the expenditure of funds
  • All bills or resolutions that contain provisions that would create a fee or tax, raise the amount of an existing fee or tax or reduce an existing fee or tax
  • The state budget
  • All bills or resolutions that impact the pay, benefits or retirement of members of the General Assembly, the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch or the provisions of the Ethics Act or the Campaign Finance Act.
  • Amendments to the South Carolina Constitution
  • Any state or congressional reapportionment plan
  • Conference and free conference reports
  • Any vote to override the governor's veto
  • Any amended bill returned by the State House[2]

[edit] Victory for transparency

The change was heralded by open government advocates as a great victory. Ashley Landess, President of the South Carolina Policy Council, declared, "The Senate showed a commitment to better government today...the Senate rule represents real progress toward greater accountability. The Senate deserves credit for recognizing the importance of transparency in a representative democracy."[3]

The SCPC has been instrumental to the efforts toward increased transparency, issuing a study last August which showed the Senate recorded votes on only 1% of the bills they passed.[4] This year they have begun a "Recorded Votes Tracker" on their website, keeping count of the number of votes taken and if they are voice or roll call votes.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The State, Senators put votes on record, January 14, 2009
  2. ↑ Aiken Standard, Senators say roll call rule passing is effort to improve govt. transparency, January 13, 2009
  3. ↑ South Carolina Policy Council, Senate Rules Change Requires More Voting on the Record, January 13, 2009
  4. ↑ Greenville Online, Roll-call rules are a step forward, January 22, 2009
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