Working Until the End.

When government works, that’s not always a good thing. That means people are doing things, and when government people do things, it often leads to bad things.

Yesterday was an exception.

Senator Kevin Bryant of Anderson is one of the best the Senate has to offer. We’ve never met, but we’ve seen him in action, and that speaks louder than words (Examples HERE, HERE, HERE).

Even though the legislative year was almost over, he wasn’t going to let it end without continuing to make his promises whole. One promise had to do with a bill he sponsored that would prohibit cities from forcing people outside of the city to agree to annexation in exchange for receiving utilities (S.289). I know it seems like extortion, but it’s a perfectly legal practice in South Carolina.

During yesterday’s session, around mid-afternoon, Senator Bryant offered an amendment to a bill (H.4745) that would add the language from S.289. Senator McConnell was presiding at the time and told Senator Bryant that he would have to rule the amendment out of order because it wasn’t germane to the bill. To fight another day, he withdrew his amendment.

He has his own thoughts on the event HERE, but from my viewpoint it was refreshing to see a legislator working toward his goals until the end.

Now, there’s the more sentimental part of this post.

As the second session of the 117th General Assembly drew to a close yesterday, there was probably no more an emotionally filled room than the Senate chamber as Senator John Drummond of Greenwood exited for retirement at the age of 88.

Whether you agree with his politics or not, he was a grandfatherly figure who is impossible not to like and respect. Even current president pro tempore Glenn McConnell credits the president pro tempore emeritus with teaching him the ropes.

Senator Drummond was the last of the old guard — serving in the legislature from 1965-2008 (House 1965-66, Senate 1966-2008).

With a slight quiver in his voice, Lt. Governor Andre Bauer called upon the senator from Greenwood to gavel the body out of session one last time.

Assuming the chair at 4:58 p. m. before he called the body adjourned, Senator Drummond told his colleagues to watch themselves because he would be watching them and wouldn’t hesitate coming back. He dropped the gavel at 5:00 p. m.

The Senate stood adjourned.

– Mary Claire Forrester