Be a star on knowledge of South Carolina!  Take a look at these state documents and open your brain to things you never knew before!

South Carolina Legislative Manual 2009

                If you have never looked at this pocket-sized guide, you are missing something that literally packs in enough information about South Carolina to compete honorable at Jeopardy.  The manual is designed for legislators, who need to know the rules of legislature, the state and federal Constitutions, and the names of all legislators, governors, judges, and state officials from memory, probably on the first day of each session.  For those whose memories fail, the Manual can be whisked from pockets for a quick glance.  The manual can be purchased from the Office of Legislative Printing, Information, and Technology Systems.  Their website, SC Legislature Online (http://www.sscstatehouse.gov) also has a link to the current Manual, in sections.  Some of these are HUGE pdfs, so you’ll have to wait a while for them to load.  Do YOU know what our state beverage is?  How about our state rock? 

General Appropriations Bills FY2009-2010

                Remember that the State Library receives print copies of the various versions of the appropriations recommended by various bodies in the Legislature.  Currently, the budget process begins with the Governor who presents a version to the legislature.  Then the House and Senate committees begin (often completely anew) their recommendations.  A version is sent back to the Governor for signature.  If not signed by the Governor, it goes back to the General Assembly.  Usually the Library receives the Governor’s budget, the legislature versions, and the final appropriations act for access in the Library.  Electronic versions will be added to our library catalog also.

South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission Annual Report 2007-2008

                The Commission has overseeing and administering the operation of the Tuition Grants Program, which provides financial assistance from the state to SC students attending independent colleges.  The report lists the colleges and number of students receiving grants, the ethnic breakdown, average family income, and other statistical charts, graphs, and other figures.  The Commission has been providing this annual report to the State Library and the depository program since 1988.

 Consumer Alert

                Another issue of this fine awareness publication is available in the library and online at http://www.scconsumer.gov/publications/consumer_alert/consumer_alert.htm.  This one has articles on overdraft protection, debit cards being denied, reverse mortgages, and secret shopper work-at-home opportunities.