Phil Bailey, the director of the state Senate Democratic Caucus, described the currency bill as a distraction from the real issues facing the state.

“Not any thing in that bill is going to create a job or improve education,” Bailey said Friday.

“It's a waste of time; it's a waste of resources. I mean who's paying for this study? Will they be paid in actual dollars or gold doubloons?”

Bright responded by saying that his proposal is “something we ought to study” and “if there's no support for the bill in the body, it won't go anywhere.”

Bright's bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee, but he said he's working with Sen. David Thomas, R-Greenville, on the legislation, and Thomas could redraft it so that it's referred to the Banking and Insurance Committee, of which Thomas is the chair.

Bright also has introduced legislation in the ongoing legislative session that would make a firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition that is commercially or privately manufactured in South Carolina and does not leave this state exempt from federal regulation, including registration.

During the 2010 session, Bright sponsored legislation passed by the state Senate that in addition to affirming South Carolina's Second-, Ninth- and 10th-amendment rights, also targeted federal health care legislation by saying state residents are not subject to any law that interferes with patients' rights to choose their own health care provider or pay for medical services directly.

“If at first you don't secede, try again,” Bright said with a laugh after the legislation passed last year.

Bright said in explaining his introduction of the legislation that Virginia and Georgia are considering similar measures to protect their states against economic calamity in the event of the collapse of the Federal Reserve System.

Phil Bailey, the director of the state Senate Democratic Caucus, described the currency bill as a distraction from the real issues facing the state.

“Not any thing in that bill is going to create a job or improve education,” Bailey said Friday.

“It's a waste of time; it's a waste of resources. I mean who's paying for this study? Will they be paid in actual dollars or gold doubloons?”

Bright responded by saying that his proposal is “something we ought to study” and “if there's no support for the bill in the body, it won't go anywhere.”

Bright's bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee, but he said he's working with Sen. David Thomas, R-Greenville, on the legislation, and Thomas could redraft it so that it's referred to the Banking and Insurance Committee, of which Thomas is the chair.

Bright also has introduced legislation in the ongoing legislative session that would make a firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition that is commercially or privately manufactured in South Carolina and does not leave this state exempt from federal regulation, including registration.

During the 2010 session, Bright sponsored legislation passed by the state Senate that in addition to affirming South Carolina's Second-, Ninth- and 10th-amendment rights, also targeted federal health care legislation by saying state residents are not subject to any law that interferes with patients' rights to choose their own health care provider or pay for medical services directly.

“If at first you don't secede, try again,” Bright said with a laugh after the legislation passed last year.

Secession-style language and proposals seeking to transfer power from the federal government to states and localities have become increasingly common in recent years during the fight over federal health care reform, perhaps most notably in Texas, where Republican Gov. Rick Perry in 2009 suggested the Lone Star State could secede in the future should the federal government not change its fiscal polices.

www.goupstate.com/article/20110212/ARTICLES/102121020/1001/sports02

Feb. 12, 2011