Correcting a big error
The S.C. Legislature is planning to go back into session next week to correct an error that would cost many of the state's jobless up to 20 weeks of additional unemployment checks.
The Legislature can make a minor, temporary change to the state's unemployment legislation and get the federal stimulus funds that will pay for the additional weeks of unemployment claims. Although the situation should never have come to this point, and there are plenty of people to point fingers at, the important thing now is that the Legislature will apparently take care of the situation. Thousands of South Carolinians will benefit from this additional funding and will be able to pay the mortgage, utility bills and buy groceries.
This emergency session is unusual, and we are hopeful that it will be a one-item session. The one reason that the Legislature is going back to Columbia Tuesday should be to deal with the unemployment issue. At least one member of the Legislature has said he wants to bring up impeachment of the governor, but this is not the appropriate time nor manner to proceed in that direction.
In order to protect the state he claims to love, Gov. Mark Sanford should resign from office. However, his continued refusal makes that a moot point. His actions have brought shame and humiliation to himself, his family and, most important, to the state he serves. Despite that, his behavior has not reached the level of impeachable offenses.
The Legislature needs to ensure that it keeps its focus on the important issues at hand and does not get distracted with talk of impeachment. The effects of the recession are ongoing, and the people of South Carolina need to be assured that someone in authority in Columbia has their best interests at heart.