McMaster wary of requiring convicted politicians to pay restitution
COLUMBIA -- S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said Tuesday that he is wary of a proposal to require politicians who commit felonies to pay for the special elections needed to replace them.
“We need to keep thinking on that,” McMaster said when asked about the bill, which goes before a Senate panel on Thursday.
S.C. taxpayers currently pay tens of thousands of dollars for special elections held when convicted politicians are kicked out of office. But, McMaster noted, they also must pay to replace elected officials who die in office or resign to seek a higher seat.
“If you’re going to require one to pay for the election, how about the other?” the Richland Republican asked.
The Senate Democrat who proposed the idea said he was “amazed” by McMaster’s comparison.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article145270709.html