On Demand - Show Highlights 04-04-25

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Alright eesus er fright, yeah, same America and jer for regious.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
For nation.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
And yes is wrong.

Speaker 3 (00:20):
This is Columbia's Morning News with Gary David and Christopher
Thompson on one O three point five FM and five
sixty AM w VOC.

Speaker 1 (00:30):
We made it to Friday. Congratulations and good morning. It
is sixteen minutes after six Friday morning, April fourth, and
what a week it has been half?

Speaker 4 (00:39):
Did you make it sound like we had a choice.
We had to. We had to get here.

Speaker 1 (00:44):
Definitely. I doubted it for for for a while there
this past week. It's been a long one. As I'm serious,
now it's going. But yeah, we've made a good morning
to you, sir. How are you?

Speaker 4 (00:52):
Good morning? Good?

Speaker 1 (00:53):
That is Christopher Thompson right there.

Speaker 4 (00:55):
That is Gary David right there, and good morning to
all of you.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
Appreciate you joining us this morning. Thank you. So boy
do we I don't know. I I thought it might
take the day off because ain't nothing happened? Man? What okay?

Speaker 4 (01:08):
Well, I'll tell you this. If you get bored with news,
I've got plenty on my desk.

Speaker 1 (01:12):
Do you really? Yeah? Yeah, I guess you do. Well, No,
we have a boy, well do we have stuff to
get into today, and a lot of stuff here that
on the home front quite a bit, a lot of
news coming out of the state House yesterday. Starting off
with the biggest news of all is they're they're they're
hitting the pause button on this flat tax proposal here.

Speaker 4 (01:38):
I imagine a lot of these legislators probably heard from
voters who said, wait just a minute. You know, reform
taxes all you want, but you know, don't tell me
that my taxes are going up next year.

Speaker 1 (01:52):
Right, Don't sell me this bill of goods. Yeah, don't
try to pull the wool over my eyes with this
one utiful three point nine to nine percent number that
sounds so good until you actually, you know, look at
the details of all this. So yeah, and.

Speaker 4 (02:07):
It was the double whammy. You know, not only are
you going to pay more, but we can't tell you
when you're gonna play less.

Speaker 1 (02:12):
Or pay less, or there's no guarantees you ever will. Yeah.
So yeah, this uh, not to say that it well,
I think it's I think it's dead.

Speaker 4 (02:23):
In this current form.

Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah. And we've only got about a month left in
this session, and you know, a week ago they're saying, yeah,
we'll get it done. This session. Well, you know, now
it's hit the it's it's hit a pause over there,
and well we'll get intoto all of that. Now, something
that did not hit a pause, something that is well
could become law in our state. Of the Senate goes, well, yeah,

(02:47):
they have approved this, haven't they, the sweeping new energy
bill which we need. Okay, we need and the Senate yes,
they did. After a debating for several hours, nine hours
order this week, the final vote forty one to three
for an energy bill that includes things to encourage extra

(03:12):
power production and capacity in our state, which we desperately need.
But could we see our bills go up as a
result of all this? And if so, why, well we'll
get to that. So they've advanced that, but looks like
doctor Edward Summer will well will not pass go we'll

(03:33):
not collect two hundred dollars as state senators are not
going to advance the governor's pick to lead what are
we calling now that a part of public health?

Speaker 4 (03:43):
Yes, okay, that's a surprise. That is a surprise only
because I mean I understand that he's generated, you know,
a lot of mixed feelings. But this is a governor
who's got a pretty good relationship with this state House.

Speaker 1 (03:57):
It's a pretty good track record of getting gets folks through.

Speaker 4 (03:59):
Yeah, and the fact that he pushed pretty hard and
is not going to get this pick that is a surprise.

Speaker 1 (04:06):
Yeah. So it's not definitely over yet, but well, the
next step would be for a full Senate vote on
pulling the confirmation out of the committee and onto the floor.
They want to vote it there, but for now it
stays in committee and it's basically dead. So at some
point in time you got a you know, cut bait,

(04:28):
I guess and move on with a new nominee. Here
the tragic story of the death of a twenty one
year old student of the University of South Carolina killed
earlier this week in a hit and run near campus.
Now it turns out that the person who cops say
was driving that pickup truck was an illegal from El
Salvador and who was on ICE's radar.

Speaker 4 (04:50):
Not exactly the Lincoln Riley story, but too many similarities.

Speaker 1 (04:54):
Way too many. Rosali Fernandez Cruz charged with hit and
run result again death and a few other charges. And yeah,
at the time of the crash, he was wanted by ICE.
According to the local authorities.

Speaker 4 (05:08):
No one's saying he intentionally murdered no student, But at
the same time it's.

Speaker 1 (05:15):
Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah. The third suspect in that Easter
Day shooting spree at the Columbiana Center it has gotten
his sentence.

Speaker 4 (05:26):
I can't believe we're still talking about that.

Speaker 1 (05:28):
I know it takes so long, So thirty years for
Marquise Robinson. So yeah, all three are gonna spend considerable
time behind bars.

Speaker 4 (05:38):
Do we know any more about the shooting at Columbia
Place this week?

Speaker 1 (05:41):
Well, we've heard that there were at least I guess
about three people involved in that shooting, and that the
victim was not the intended target. Yeah. Okay, this sounds
all the Columbiana Center story, doesn't it. Yeah. Somebody, wrong place,
wrong time, three individuals who know who was going after whom,
and the bystander gets caught up in it and gets shot.

(06:05):
So yeah. Heightened security at i'm a high school after
a threatening graffiti found on a bathroom stall. Okay, how
do you look this morning? Well let me look down.
I'm afraid to.

Speaker 4 (06:20):
Oh you must have been talking stock futures.

Speaker 1 (06:22):
Yeah, let's check it out. Down futures are down six'
ten right, now this after losing sixteen almost seventeen hundred points. Yesterday,
APPARENTLY i guess the problem With Wall street Was, yeah,
yeah they knew this was. Coming they knew these recircal
terrors were, coming but they didn't quite get the clarity
they wanted in all. This so traders headed south in a,
hurry and are still heading south this. Morning so the

(06:44):
dowdown just about four percent. Yesterday were sessions Since june
of twenty, twenty nasdak off nearly six? Percent, wow THE
s AND p five, hundred you've got a four to one.
K it's most closely tied to, that dropping to its
lowest level since Before trump's victory back In. November, so,

(07:04):
yeah the. Upheavals how long will this go? On could
this just be the? Beginning will the market? Stabilize will
we get back to where we? Were might take a?
While WILL i ever? Retire will you ever? Retire put
that on the list of? Questions spit on your bucket? List,
yeah But congress is starting to descent on all this.

(07:25):
Again we talked about this. Yesterday The senate voted fifty
one forty Eight wednesday, night passing a bipartisan bill aimed
at undoing the twenty five percent tariffs On, canada and
there's there's a move afoot to try to make it
where these tariffs can't happen Unless congress gives their. Consent,
Yeah Chuck grassley And Maria, canwell One, republican One democrat

(07:51):
introducing a bill to Reassert congressional power when it comes to.
Tariffs A, gm by the, way reacting to all this
announcement yesterday that they will be increasing production at The Fort,
Wayne indiana plant in order to avoid the reciprocal. Tariffs
so that's what It's that's what this is intended to.
Do the question is how long does it take to
play out and what happens in the. Meantime Uh trump

(08:15):
confirming there have a couple of firings The National Security
council in light of the the signal chat. Fiasco so
that's what it's related. TO i, MEAN i saw the, Headline, well,
yeah the hell this? Again this is? This this coming
After Laura lumer shows up at The White house and uh,

(08:36):
well Again trump downplaying her influence on, this but the
word was during a conversation she urged the president to
purge staffers that she deemed insufficiently insufficiently. Loyal this Whole
laura lumor, thing that's just it's it's. Weird it is
U d A d, watchdog by the, way launching an

(08:57):
investigation into the use of that signal app By Pete,
heggzeth The Pentagon, chief by the, way and, well among
other things we'll get To republicans of The. Senate it
looks like they may well deliver it on permanent tax
Relief trump back, bill remember Those trump tax. Cuts the
date back to what twenty Seventeen sun said at the

(09:20):
end of this year Unless congress takes, Action so it
looks like they may be heading out. Way that and
more coming up here on this The friday morning edition
Of Columbia's Morning. News, yes it's fabulous to have you with.
Us thank you anywhere.

Speaker 3 (09:32):
Anytime take your infote to. GO i listened to you
On iHeartRadio powered by one on three point FIVE fm
and five sixty am W. Voc this Is Columbia's Morning
news With Gary david And Christopher thompson on one on
three point FIVE fm and five sixty am W voc six.

Speaker 1 (09:54):
Forty good, Morning good to have you Long friday, Morning
april the. Fourth we got so much to get into,
today the flat tax bill hitting the pause button over
the State. House we've been talking a lot about that
new power bill. Passed, well we wind up paying more
for our energy as a, result and, uh, well is

(10:17):
it time to look for a new nominee to head
up The department Of Public health as the Doctor Edward summer.
Nomination it's not, going it's. Not is it? Dead maybe not,
technically but, yeah it looks like it. Is so we'll
get to all that coming up this. Morning. Now with

(10:37):
Every trump executive, order it comes in accompanying. LAWSUIT i
don't know. WHAT i don't know this for a, fact
But i've got a pretty good haunch that there has
not been a SINGLE eo That trump is issue that
has not been a lawsuit that's been filed about. It
there may be one or two. Somewhere it's been a

(10:57):
bunch of a bunch of executive, orders, certainly BUT i
don't know that any single one of them has gotten
more lawsuits filed than this, one because it's Got democrats
totally freaked. Out and this is the executive order about.
Elections another lawsuit, file this time by attorneys general in

(11:19):
Nineteen Blue states filed a lawsuit. Yesterday this is the
fourth against that order that was issued just a week,
back and this lawsuit seeking to block key aspects of,
it including most notably new requirements that people provide documentary

(11:43):
proof of citizenship when signing up to. Vote so this
calls out The Democrat party for what they. Are in this,
suit these attorneys general claimed that this executive order is,
unconstituted anti democratic and un. AMERICAN i particularly like the last.

(12:07):
One It's. Unamerican in other, words It's unamerican for you
to ask somebody who is here in this country not
legally and wants to register to, vote to ask. Them,
okay well you know, what that's, fine but before you
can get signed, up you need to prove with the

(12:29):
proper documentation that you are in fact A us. Citizen,
again they want you to. Leave it's the same old
story about VOTER. Id, right it's the same old they
want you to. Beleave, well there's so many people who
would vote FOR, us but they don't have access to these.
Documents for some, reason they can't put their hands on.

(12:51):
Them it's too time, consuming it's too, costly it's too.
Whatever just let who wants to vote. Vault what's the big.

Speaker 4 (12:59):
Deal that's The american, way that's The America's american Un americans, vote.

Speaker 1 (13:06):
That's the, constitutional, Democratic american, way according to these states attorneys.

Speaker 4 (13:10):
General, well, Constitutionally i'm surprised some conservatives haven't jumped in here,
too because The constitution does say that states have the
right to lay out the manner in which they're going
to hold. Elections, yeah and and, CONSERVATIVES i understand this
is A trump Versus democrat states, thing but conservatives normally

(13:32):
would be pretty resistant to the federal government stepping in
over rights that The constitution says the states have.

Speaker 1 (13:39):
Because, normally when the federal government steps, in it's to
take away something that the states should have and should be.

Speaker 4 (13:44):
Able to, control which they.

Speaker 1 (13:46):
Do and in this, case, WELL i you, know you
got a, point because in this, case there's a lot
of blue states out there who don't want this to, happen,
right who want to be able to let anybody willingly
that that wants to cast a vote, vote whether They're
american citizens or.

Speaker 4 (13:58):
Not, well that's that's going to be an interesting argument
at The Supreme court level Because TRUMP'S i guess the
argument's going to. Be you had the, right the constitution
gives you the right to run the, elections but you've
done a poor, job so we're going to take over.

Speaker 1 (14:11):
Now you stunk at. It you're learning people that are
Not american citizens much by the, way you've got to
be An american citizen to, vote right, that there's no
no grey area about. That, correct very. True, well although
there's some municipalities that do allow at but at least
at the federal, level it's not. Constitutional so somehow this
order and there's more to. It for, example it demands

(14:34):
that all mail in ballots be received by election. Day you, know,
again if you're you got to you got to have
your at least well at least in this, case have it.
Postmarked your, taxes you, know by a certain date every.
Year your bills need to be in on. Time you,
know why not your vote and if you're worried about

(14:59):
the post, office you know taking forever to get it.
There we'll start. Earlier, okay WHEN.

Speaker 4 (15:04):
I wait a, minute THE I R s will give
you an extension or are you saying we don't get an
extension on?

Speaker 1 (15:07):
Voting, yeah get a six month extension on that. Vote
after the. Election go, ahead, ladge you're mail whenever you're
mailed it. WHATEVER i, Mean come, On but, again is
this this calls out The Democrat party for for for for.
Really why they're freaking, out of, course is because they
want people who aren't in this country legally to be
able to vote because they're they're convinced they're going to

(15:30):
vote For. Democrats so, again tell me how these aren't stupid,
people these attorneys, general for the most, part by and,
LARGE i guess they're, not but they sure act like
it sometimes to say that it's Un. American it's Un
american to demand documentary proof of citizenship in order to

(15:53):
sign up to. Vote it's just, Crazy is it An?

Speaker 4 (15:55):
American when they go to get a bank, loan or
when they go to ask for a new credit, card
or when they.

Speaker 1 (16:02):
Get free stuff from the government taxpayer? EXPENSE i, mean you.

Speaker 4 (16:05):
All SHOW id for.

Speaker 1 (16:06):
That, yes.

Speaker 4 (16:09):
That's a that's a tired.

Speaker 1 (16:11):
Argument it's all that's already's been tired for a long.

Speaker 4 (16:14):
Time the argument that they're gonna have to make is it's,
unconstitutional and that's going to be the interesting part that
the courts will have to.

Speaker 1 (16:20):
Decide, basically The Democrat party is suing to allow illegals
to be able to vote in. Elections bottom, line.

Speaker 3 (16:35):
You're listening To Columbia's morning news on one oh three
point FIVE fm and five sixty AM. Wvoc once, again
Here's Gary david And Christopher.

Speaker 1 (16:45):
Thompson it is seven to. Fifteen good, morning and a
Happy friday to. YOU i am the Aforementioned Gary. David
he is the Aforementioned Christopher. Tobsen, yes, sir we didn't
name you because we don't want to doct, you because
you know there are some crazy people on. There it
sure sounds like a case of a ready fire, aim

(17:08):
don't it? Though uh it's they've hit The pausebut over
the house side of The State house on this flat
tax idea released with much fanfare just last, week cutting
your tax rate from the current progressive rate with a

(17:28):
top top tier earner paying six point two percent and
state income taxes down to three point nine nine. Percent
but then the analysis came, out AND i don't think
you even need to wait for the. Analysis, Well number,
one let's let's let's put this in some order. Here

(17:51):
you didn't do your homework that?

Speaker 4 (17:54):
Right that would be my two. Questions number, one when
did you know this thing was going to actually be
a tax increase on most of us.

Speaker 1 (18:06):
And about sixty percent of us or so would pay
more taxes plan?

Speaker 4 (18:09):
Initially, yes was this something you knew in? Advance or
did you get caught with your pants? Down either, way
it's bad because this is this Is.

Speaker 1 (18:20):
Republicans either, one you knew you were selling us a
bill of, goods but you thought we were too dumb
to figure it, out or you didn't know, it or
you didn't do your home didn't do your, homework and
The department Of revenue came out with that fiscal statement
saying all, right here's how it will, apply and here's
how it will. Work and you got caught. Unawares. Man

(18:43):
this is not some inconsequential piece of legislation.

Speaker 4 (18:46):
Here this is a big deal and a high priority
For governor McMaster in his last year's in.

Speaker 1 (18:51):
Office this is a huge, deal and you've left the
people Of South carolina with a very bitter taste in
their mouth thinking if you try had to pull the
wool over their eyes with this. Thing. NOW i don't
know that that was the. INTENT i JUST i just
think it was some people got caught up in the
in the in the, excitement and it didn't even bother

(19:12):
to look to. See, okay what will this really? Do
and you can tell us all day. Long, well, yeah
but you, know if we if we hit our, triggers
we hit our, goals then, yeah we'll get it down
to two point four to nine, percent and then at
that point most people are paying lower. Taxes, yeah, ready fire. Aim,

(19:38):
yeah you didn't need to uh to take this black.
Eye i'm very. Disappointed and how how do you? Recover, well, yeah, Exactly,
well because you've.

Speaker 4 (19:51):
Promised tax, reform it's a priority of the, governor as we.
Mentioned so what do you do? NOW i, mean how
are you how are you going to sell the next?

Speaker 1 (20:00):
Package, well right, Now Bruce, banister who heads up The
House ways And Means, committee says they, are, well they've
adjourned debate in committee on this for. Now it's still a.
Priority they still want to try to get it done
in twenty twenty. Five they're not done with it, yet
but so they may consider some other, options including whether

(20:22):
or not it's feasible to just go ahead and immediately
drop that flat rate to two point four nine. Percent, okay,
well now that's a that's a face saving. Measure they
could come back to bite us in the.

Speaker 4 (20:32):
Behind have they studied how that will? Work and exactly
does the state have enough revenue to sustain?

Speaker 1 (20:42):
That that's the. Question the state's fiscal projections are. This,
yet if you drop the rate of three point nine nine,
percent the immediate loss in annual revenues to the state
would be more than two hundred million. Dollars if you
drop the rate to two point four nine, percent now

(21:03):
we're talking billions of. Dollars are we in a position
before they, start you, know going to have half cocked
here and start thinking, about, well maybe we'll just do
the two point four to nine percent and say face
and everybody will love. Us, yeah on the one, hand
we'd all love. You but on the back, end can
we afford to lose billion to stay? Revenue and remember

(21:25):
there's a couple of things to play here when it
comes to the. Revenue and we've had these surpluses now
for a number of. Years at the end of the fiscal, year,
well the argument on one side is, that, well, yeah
we've had those surpluses because of you, KNOW covid spending
and all all this federal money flowing in here as
a result of all, that well that's dried up now

(21:46):
and now at the national, LEVEL i mean we are
in you, know uncharted waters here with a, tariff, wars with,
doze with cutbacks on a federal spending on this and on,
that which are. Warrant but you, know if if you
lose your, job you don't go out and buy a new.

(22:08):
House you, know you tighten the belt and you do
with what you do what you gotta. Do but this
is almost kind of one of those those those maybe
not the proper, knowledge but it's kind of that. Way you,
know we may be losing a lot of money coming
in that we've been you, know just counting on for
a number of. Years it was, Great but will we

(22:29):
continue to get? That and if we, don't can we
afford a bill that would potentially cost us billions annually
in tax. Revenues, again as a tax, Payer i'm, like, yeah, heck,
yeah let's do. That but on the flip, side those those,
revenues you, know they mean things to us the taxpayers.

(22:51):
Too Uh, WELL i didn't even realize. This with just
a couple of days of that bill being introduced last,
week you had what six different co signers remove their
name from that. Bill, yeah you want to know part of.

Speaker 4 (23:08):
That, well some of them saw the numbers come out
from when The State revenue said all, right here's how
it will play out for. Everybody some of them immediately took.
Cover but the, rest my guess, is started hearing from their. Constituents,
yeah you. Can't you can't call it a tax cut
When i'm paying more next year and when you can't

(23:29):
tell me when the tax cut actually is gonna is
going to kick. In that's what most people were. SAYING i,
GUESS i, mean that's certainly what we've been.

Speaker 1 (23:38):
Saying AND i, again did you even need to wait
for the for the fiscal? ANALYSIS i, mean didn't anybody
over there when they were rolling this thing out in
all its glory the other? DAY i hope they knew. That,
Again here's here's here's the here's the problematic part of. This, it's,

(24:01):
yeah a lower, rate but it's not an apples and apples. Comparison,
again it's being that lower rate is based on a higher,
number because this would if they had done this and
said we're going to continue to base your state liability

(24:21):
on the way we've always done, it and that is
your federal. Liability less credits and. Deductions you get that
big old standard. Deduction it brings down your, income and
that's the number that the six point two percent has
been based. On it used to be. Seven it was
seven percent on that long. Ago, remember so we've done
a good job in bringing it, down but they're basing

(24:44):
this new liability on that higher, number before the credits
and the, deductions before the standard, deduction before any other
credits you have right, off you've got against your your gross.
Income and that's where this thing goes south in a.
Hurry that's where suddenly the number goes north in your,
paycheck goes at the end of the year goes.

Speaker 4 (25:02):
South, well when you say they should have, known that
makes me even more, uncomfortable because that makes me think
that they were trying to sell us a bill of
goods that they knew they knew it was going to
wind up being a tax hike on most of.

Speaker 1 (25:16):
IT i kind of think that was the, case as
opposed TO i don't want to believe that lock stock
And barrel they were just too ignorant of just you,
know basic math here to know that this number wasn't
going to work when you you, know you based it
on a on a higher income.

Speaker 4 (25:34):
Level so what's what's their motivation for? That what's their
motivation for trying to hide a tax hike on? Us
is it just because they were interested in the bottom
line when it comes to you, know these CEOs of
these you know, companies they're trying to lure here because
it would lower the tax rate for the HIGHEST.

Speaker 1 (25:53):
Taxi that was part that was part of the, pitch, right,
yeah you, know to make it more more attractive for
these high dollar CEOs and bring their.

Speaker 4 (26:00):
Here so did they think we were going to land
a couple of these high profile businesses, maybe and maybe
that would provide them some cover that was on.

Speaker 1 (26:08):
The backs of the rest of. Us it was either
that or they just weren't smart enough to look at
it and, say wait a, minute this may not be
a good idea after. All AND i don't know which one's.

Speaker 4 (26:18):
WORSE i, Mean i'm wishing it's just because they were,
Stupid that's What i'm, wishing because the alternative is SOMETHING
i don't even want to think About republicans pushing on, us.

Speaker 1 (26:27):
Right so it's it's stuck in. Committee they've hit the
pause button there and the ways and. Means whether it
gets out or, not we'll wait to, see But bastard
says it's still. Priority try to get it done in
twenty twenty. Five you got about less than five weeks
now that to see where it. Goes keeping you.

Speaker 3 (26:44):
Informed dad's up to date now now more than.

Speaker 1 (26:47):
EVER i like knowing what's happening in the.

Speaker 3 (26:49):
World what on three point FIVE fm and five sixty
am W Voc this Is Columbia's morning news With david
And Christopher thompson on ONE o three point FIVE fm
and five sixty am W. Voc.

Speaker 1 (27:07):
Seven, yeah we get into the crazy season now over
The State. House it's kind of like you, know with
With march. Madness you get to the tournament, time things get,
crazy off, stores all sorts of stuff's going, on a
lot of games being, played a lot of high stakes
things going. Down, yeah we got what five weeks after
the session is even is Even may? Eighth? RIGHT i
Think may eighth is sine? Die and Uh and here

(27:30):
we sit with you, know some, big big topics going
into the legislative session that are aren't quite done. Yet
but one of The senate has just approved of power
Bill this was one of the that talked about items
going into the session because you, know truth of the matter, is,
yes we here In South, carolina like many other, states

(27:52):
maybe we to a greater extent because of the influx
of folks coming, here have got to deal with our energy.
Crisis and it's not just people coming. Here it's, yeah
big data. Farms we've talked about this in the, past you,

(28:12):
know artificial intelligence and that all the servers needed to
make that thing home and to make it. Work we've
already we've we've had these big data farmshare, already and
there's more of that sort of thing comes. In they
suck up so much.

Speaker 4 (28:25):
Energy what about CRYPTO i, mean you Know trump is
almost added emphasis on. Cryptocurrency you, know is that going
to become a thing in this state, too where we'll
need energy devoted to.

Speaker 1 (28:37):
That? Probably. Probably So, AGAIN i, mean the the amount
of electricity these these things, use it's just. Phenomenal so
we got to deal with. It so The senate earlier this,
way voting forty one to three for a piece of
legislation that includes measures to encourage extra power production in our.

(29:06):
State but there's one part of the bill that critics
are taking aim at, here but it is that is. Troubling.
Uh it's a section that let's that critics are taking
aim at, here but it is that is. Troubling. Uh
it's a section that lets these utilities stabilize. Rates rate, Stabilization,

(29:29):
well what is That rate stabilization makes it so utilities
can can get it be more easy for them to
to raise rates annually to pay for some of their.
Costs and you got folks, Questioning, uh Even Shane massey

(29:53):
saying he's he's not completely sold on this. Concept, now
those behind this bill say this will help these untilities
spread out cost for customers over. Time but, again a
key concerning according to Critics state paper, reports is that
rate stabilization does not allow for the same level of
scrutiny of a proposed rate hike as it does in

(30:13):
established rat. Cases, remember, yeah If antilly wants just raise,
rates they can't just do it right, Now they got
to go through The Public Service. Commission but under this,
plan oh this smell of base rate two point, Zero,
huh there would be a certain thing they could raise

(30:37):
rates for its because we got to build, this so
we have to raise your rate in order to cover
our costs for it, BASELOAD i, said base rate baseload
two point. Zero maybe quite not to that, extent but,
still As massy, says that the fact that utilities want
it so badly this is not necessarily the rate pair's best.

(30:58):
Interest that really, suspicious, Exactly AND i WISH i had
that option in. Life. HUH i really want that shiny new. Car, so, hey,
boss you Gotta i'm gonna charge you more money for
me to come here every day and work if you
can't say.

Speaker 4 (31:15):
No if we were twenty years or so, past you,
know everything that went wrong WITH Vc summer and the
attempt to build, there and if we weren't still talking about,
it maybe this gets past. Us but too many of
us are still still paying for.

Speaker 1 (31:33):
It well, exactly it's still a, huge a, huge gaping flesh.
Wound and so, yeah we don't we don't want to
hear this sort of thing, Here, yeah we really. Don't
Do we need a bill that leads to. It and,
listen there's no way to increase energy production without these
utilities building to increase. Capacity and that's you know, again

(31:58):
that's gonna that's gonna come at a cost of the. Consumer
nobody's questioning. THAT i, mean that's just simply the way it.
Is but to take a kind of a hands off
approach on some of these things and let these utilities
willing nearly raise rates because just because they, say WELL
i got to build this and this is going to
help cover the. Cost, okay, sure go.

Speaker 4 (32:19):
Ahead the trust is not.

Speaker 1 (32:21):
There, no it's not not even close to to trusting
this whole process. Again so, well, okay that just passed
The senate and overwhelmingly what was? IT i, said forty
one forty one to.

Speaker 4 (32:36):
Three So Shane massey had, doubts but they passed it in.

Speaker 1 (32:41):
They passed it. Anyway, yeah and he's the cinemajority of.
Leader he's got doubts about. It. YEAH i like his.
Line the fact they wanted so badly the utilities doesn't
mean it's necessarily in the rapayer's best.

Speaker 3 (32:53):
Interest if you're listening To Columbia's Morning news on one
oh three point FIVE fm and five sixty AM, wvoc once,
again Here's Gary david And Christopher thompson.

Speaker 1 (33:08):
Fourteen minutes after eight. O'clock good, Morning good to have
you along For, Friday april, Fourth get this thing, Done
getting ready for the. Weekend let's spend a few minutes
for Our States Attorney General Alan, wilson who joins us right.
Now good morning to, you.

Speaker 2 (33:18):
Sir, hey good Morning. Gary it's great to be with.

Speaker 1 (33:21):
You good to have. You got a couple of things
we want to talk about when it comes to child
safety in our, state and we'll get to that in a.
Second but some we were talking about earlier this, morning
and that is what is it? Now nineteen states attorneys,
general all of Course blue, states finding a lawsuit against
this election executive order that the president is a issue
just in the last. Week you, know the folks they

(33:42):
got to document who they are before you know that
they're here, legally before you can sign up to. Vote
and these attorneys general call this undemocratic and Un. AMERICAN
i THINK i know what your thoughts are going to
be on, this BUT i THOUGHT i threw it out there.

Speaker 2 (33:56):
Anyway, hey, LISTEN i was the first attorney general the
country to, defend successfully defend the VOTER id bill back
in twenty, Twelve SO i think my thoughts on this
matter are pretty, SOLID.

Speaker 1 (34:08):
I would, say. So, Yes, yeah we got two things
we want to bring up here. Today both have to
do with. Kids number One And i'm not really familiar with,
this but your office just about a warning here recently
about well as a seven point sixty Four this is
online gore seeking. Group what is this all? About?

Speaker 2 (34:32):
GARY i had never heard of this term. Before seven
sixty four movement is an online movement that derives its
name from an area code seven sixty four area code
in the state Of. Texas it has its roots in
Neo nazi And satanic. Organizations and it's a Decentralized, yeah
it's pretty dark. Stuff it's got its it's, decentralized meaning

(34:52):
that there's no. Hierarchy it's just kind of a movement
of like minded. Individuals but you have a lot of
teens exploiting. TEAMS i mean kids as young as ten
years old are engaged in this movement and is as
old as. Seventeen now there are some, adults but it's
mostly an adolescent. Activity and this is basically what it.
Is you have certain individuals online who are getting young

(35:15):
people to engage in live stream videos of them cutting,
themselves mutilating, themselves engaging in acts of beast, reality animal,
abuse and in some cases even, suicide and they stream
this for people's viewing, pleasure and they're targeting marginalized. Youth
they're targeting people who are kind of ostracized or isolated
from society or maybe suffer from mental health or, depression

(35:37):
and they're using the videos as they groom these young.
People they're using these videos to get them to level
up to do worse and worse, things and even recruit
new people into, it and they extort. Them and THE
fbi brought us in a couple of weeks, ago showed
us some of the stuff that they've been getting. Online
and it's spreading across the country and it's now occurring
here In South. Carolina do you know how how long.

Speaker 1 (35:59):
Has this been going? On to do THE fbi clell
you in on.

Speaker 2 (36:02):
That it's it's been going on for several, years but
it's it's relatively new Into South carolina and they've starting
to see cases pop up. Here it's very very. Dark
some of these kids engage in a in a prank
AND i say prank with air, quotes but it's called.
Swatting where you call, this you call in a police
emergency for a swat team at somebody's. House and so

(36:25):
you know that they're they're engaged in some very very
dark stuff and some very uh you, know ad conduct
that's distracting police from their from their. Duties so it's
it's very very. Serious we're trying to raise awareness with.
Parents we're obviously partnering with our federal partners here to
try to go after these, folks but we want parents
and teachers to be on the. LOOKOUT i want to
Give Ellen weaver a shout, out the State superintendent Of.

(36:48):
Education we she's helped us raise the profile of this
with the in the school Systems. Gary we want parents
to be on the lookout for some of the, symptoms
and those symptoms could be a number of. Things if
you see that your team is suffering from some type
of mood disorder or anxiety or, depression if they're spending
hours upon hours on end behind closed, doors locked, away

(37:10):
if they're spending less and less time with friends and,
family and they're they're going on infinite scrolls, online you,
know and they're spending tons of times on platforms Like
discord Or roadblocks Or, minecraft and those those platforms are,
fine but these are some of the platforms that these
these groomers are. Using you, know you need to ask,
Questions you need to inspect what you expect of your.

(37:31):
Teenager you wouldn't let your team go around world by.
Themselves don't let them go around The World Wide web by,
themselves you, know.

Speaker 1 (37:39):
Unattended and therein lies the challenge because the what you just,
described there's a lot of teams these days who may
not be involved in something like. This but you, know as,
parents you, know in this generation it's. DIFFERENT i know
this was a lot different than the ONES i raised
my kids in and you're raising your kids we were raised.
In but you, know it's not unusual for a team
to to kind, of you, know withdraw from family and

(38:00):
society at. Times it's, hard, man well it.

Speaker 2 (38:05):
Is and, again just because your teen's behind closed doors
in their bedroom of the basement On minecraft doesn't mean
they're engaging in this activity or being exploited by. It
but these are just some of the common things that
the law enforcement are. Seeing another thing is if you,
see you, know if you see your kid wearing long
sleeve clothes during the summer, months you, know one of
the things they're seeing is these kids are mutilating themselves

(38:27):
and cutting themselves online and they're covering it up and
so just being able to look out for that kind of.
Stuff these are just. Signs it doesn't mean your team is,
involved but it's something to be on the lookout.

Speaker 1 (38:37):
For, Right, absolutely ask, questions, right let me ask you about.
This there's a bill to pass The. SENATE i think
it Cent bill seventy four is going to make your
job a lot easier when it comes to cracking out
on child. Predators absolutely.

Speaker 2 (38:51):
So BILL s seventy. Four it's an administrative subpoena. Bill
here's what it is in lay person. Terms, basically you,
know we've got The Internet Crimes Again Children's Task, force
and our ability to go after predators and child molesters
will be made a lot easier if this bill is
passed right now for us to if we if we
get evidence that there's AN ip address visiting a child porn,

(39:12):
site we don't know who's, That we don't know where
THAT ip address, is we don't know the name associated
with THAT ip, address we don't know the physical address
associated with THAT ip. Address so we have to go
to the federal, government to THE Us attorney's office to
get a subpoena to go to The Internet service provider
to find out who is at THAT ip address peddling child.
Porn this will cut that out and allow me to
go directly to The internet service, provider get the subpoena

(39:35):
of the, information identify you, Know John doe at one
two Three Elm street is looking at child you, know
engaging in child, porn and then we can get a
warrant and you, know you, know and go go seize
those computers and those. Devices so this will make it
easier to go after child predators and call your representative
and tell them to pass. It we really appreciate. It
this is going to make law enforcement a lot better

(39:55):
than protecting.

Speaker 1 (39:56):
Kids has this been the state regulations that prevents you
from doing? So or or to this point is there's
what is? It?

Speaker 2 (40:04):
What so there's no state vehicle for me to do,
this so we have to use the federal. Vehicle so
this would allow me to cut out that middle man
and use a state.

Speaker 1 (40:13):
Resource, Okay, God so that's that's that's that's up in
The senate right. Now so it's not passed, yet or
it hasn't The house needs to pass.

Speaker 2 (40:20):
It it's it's passed over The senate into The house
and and and again we don't see a lot of.
Opposition we just don't want The General assembly to close
up this year without us having this, resource.

Speaker 1 (40:30):
Right and it closes in less than five WEEKS i guess,
Here so time is? Okay all? Right so well, yeah
let your lets your represented know about. That there's very
your OFFICE i know is is you're your office is
the one that did did did goes after these, folks,
uh these these child, predators and.

Speaker 2 (40:47):
Unfortunately absolutely has been way too. Manch, yeah well we
we've gone. Over, Yeah we've been going after these folks
for fourteen years Since i've been a g and we're
going to continue to go after.

Speaker 1 (40:55):
Them all, Right Alan, wilson thank you for your time as,
always and have yourself a great. Week but all, Right Alan,
wilson Our States Attorney general. There uh, now, yeah so
there's something else The State house is working. On hopefully
we'll get that done sometime. SOON i also wanted to
mention this just just, briefly because, yeah it's hard to

(41:17):
get over that WHOLE covid, thing isn't it and that. Reaction,
uh the guy Doctor Edward, summer who for well the
last number of years was the head of D hack,
when as you, know D hack split up and into two,
things and so we needed to have a director of
The department Of Public, health and it just kind of

(41:38):
seemed like a no brainer that the guy who ran
D hack would be a shoeing to run The department
Of Public. Health well that's not been the. Case, uh he's,
uh he didn't get out of committee here twelve five
vote against confirming him out of The metal Coll Affairs.

(42:00):
Committee and again the sticking point seems to be his
actions DURING. Covid and again those actions.

Speaker 4 (42:11):
Were, well he arrived late on the. Scene remember we
were opening back up again, exactly which is you, know
one problem people have with some of these legislators and
the fact that he was dedicated to wearing a mask
but he had his wife was in a situation where you,
know she was compromised and he needed to wear.

Speaker 1 (42:31):
One, yeah and he's explained, That but that still doesn't
mean a lot to a lot of, folks, APPARENTLY i,
Guess and, well, yeah it's now the Full. SENATE i
guess could, say, hey bring it out a committee and
bring it to the Full senate floor so we could
vote on. It but short of, THAT i mean this is.
Done he's not Gonna.

Speaker 4 (42:51):
This is not a N this is not a Nikky
Haley Mark sandford. Pick this is a pick from a
governor who has gotten along extremely well with the. Legislature
so it's and he pushed pretty hard for For Edward.
Zimmer it's hard to believe that they've gone against his wishes.

Speaker 1 (43:07):
Here. Yeah, well the whole THE covid thing is is
leaving a lot of. Scars, yeah, right.

Speaker 3 (43:17):
A lot keeping you. CONNECTED i check in throughout the
day twenty four to.

Speaker 4 (43:22):
SEVEN i just like being, informed know what's.

Speaker 3 (43:24):
Happening one on three point FIVE fm and five sixty
am W. Voc this Is Columbia's Morning news With Gary
david And Christopher. Thompson on one on three point FIVE
fm and five sixty am doub.

Speaker 1 (43:40):
Voc it is eight forty one right or a final.
Thoughts i've got a big old stack over. Here sometimes
some are the Fact i'm you, Know i've written world
of war in peace And i've got to you, know
that's WHAT i start with AND i have to end up,
with like the Cliffs notes version of. Something just so much.
Stuff there's a lot going on these. Days. Friends now
let's start at home here where we now know that
the person arrested and charged with a hit and run

(44:02):
killing of twenty one year Old Nate, Baker junior of
The rigs Of South carolina was a guy who's here
and was on the radar OF. Ice, Yeah Rosali Fernando
cruz charged with hit and run resulting in death and
a number of other. Charges and, yeah at the time

(44:24):
of the, crash he was wanted By immigration And customs And,
enforcement which you, KNOW i guess that, means, WELL ice
is are not there looking for anybody and everybody who's here.
ILLEGALLY i mean typically we THINK ice their focuses on
people who were here and well maybe have at least
at some point in time committee crimes here or. Elsewhere

(44:46):
he was.

Speaker 4 (44:47):
On their radar for a. Reason, yeah we don't know
if he wasn't on his radar just because he was here. Illegally,
Right so there you. Go it happens here. Too that
shooting At Columbia place mall day before yesterday turns out
to be, well an innocent bystander who was shot and.

(45:08):
Wounded three people apparently involved in. That according To Richard
kind Of Sheriff's, department at least three started. Shooting so
here we, go reminiscent of The Columbia Columbiana center shooting
back On easter of twenty twenty, two just on a smaller,

(45:29):
scale got two groups taking shots at each, other innocent
bystander gets.

Speaker 1 (45:36):
Caught in the. Way no reported arrests, yet but they
know who they're looking. For speaking of That Columbiana center,
shooting the third and final suspect in, that and, again
by the grace had got On Easter, sunday nobody got.

Speaker 4 (45:53):
Killed what year was that was? That twenty twenty? Two,
okay it's been three more, years three, years three.

Speaker 1 (45:58):
Years, yeah so this last it's thirty years for his role.

Speaker 4 (46:05):
In, this for taking their beef into a public. Place oh,
yeah with guns.

Speaker 1 (46:09):
And just shooting and not caring who they, hit and
somehow nobody, Died thank god for. THAT dal dropped almost
seventeen hundred points. YESTERDAY i wondered what you were craning
your neck to look at over. THERE i don't want
to see this.

Speaker 4 (46:25):
Number, YEAH i don't think.

Speaker 1 (46:26):
So Dow future is down one thousand and thirty points right. Now.
Okay on the plus, side jobs the report just came.
Out it doesn't. Hurt Pay rolls rose by two hundred
and twenty eight thousand In, march which was more than
expected on any other given. Day that would have been

(46:47):
good news For Wall. Street that sure is going to
make any difference today.

Speaker 4 (46:50):
Any good economic news is can't?

Speaker 1 (46:53):
Hurt can't?

Speaker 4 (46:54):
Hurt CAN i go back for a minute to a
story we were just talking about H, yeah we were
talking at ed yes and The department Of Public health
and the fact that he's his nomination didn't pass out of.
COMMITTEE i didn't see this. Yesterday But April, chromer she's
in The Freedom, caucus isn't? SHE i think she is
at any rate she Posted apparently one of the questions

(47:17):
that went to him was would you quarantine an asymptomatic?
Individual and he said in certain cases. Yes, oh and
that rubbed a little a lot of people the wrong. Way,
yeah that's you, know for for all the talk that you,
know like the governor, said you, know this Isn't, fauci

(47:38):
this is you, know this is a guy who's been you,
know bright and responsible and on the. Mark, yeah that
that hit.

Speaker 1 (47:45):
Wrong i'll tell you it's it's gonna be hard to
find somebody qualified to lead A department Of Public health
in any state who doesn't harbor some of the same.
Sentiments you, Know i'm just, saying we'll see So congress

(48:13):
again on the talk of these, tariffs seeing a little descent. Here,
now this started with that vote Last wednesday night in
Which Ran Paul mitch, McConnell Susan, collins And Lisa mkowski
joined The democrats in voting and a bill aimed at
undoing the twenty five percent tariffs on rush On canada.
Rather and now you've got a bipartisan piece of legislation

(48:39):
put up in The Senate Chuck grassley And Ria Cantwell
grasty of course The republican to try to Reassert congressional
power when it comes to. Tariffs it's called The Trade
Review act of twenty twenty, five again trying to reassert
the Role congress plays of a trade policy to Ensure

(49:03):
the bill says rules based trade policies were, transparent, consistent
and benefit The american. Public, so, yeah there's a blowback
even amongst a Few republicans over all, This but then
you've got stories like. THIS gm made the announcement yesterday
that there'll be increasing production of light duty trucks that
are Planning Fort, Wayne, indiana and that to avoid reciprocal

(49:26):
tariffs imposed By. Trump so this is the point of these.
Tariffs this is the hope for. Endgame the question is
how long does it? Take can we get? There?

Speaker 4 (49:38):
Right this is another one of those constitutional. Questions you
we were talking earlier about, elections and the constitution Gives
congress the right to oversee, trade but the president oversees foreign.
Policy AND i would argue that some of these. TARIFFS i,
mean you're this is foreign that the chief executive has

(50:02):
every right to. CONDUCT i don't you, KNOW i don't
know if a court would see it that, way but you,
Know congress.

Speaker 1 (50:08):
Is let's just put his way the course have got
their hands full Of, yeah that's.

Speaker 4 (50:11):
True that's.

Speaker 1 (50:12):
True. Wow. Wow, okay why DO i have two stories
in front of. Me here's the headline on. One, Oh
i'd see. Why it's The Associated. Press musk could be
headed for A washington exit after turbulent times At trump's. Doge,
okay AND i got this. Article trump Praises, musk suggests
extended role of The department Of government. Efficiency, okay can

(50:35):
we can we? Not? Well trump has said something he
has Praise, musk and he says he's he can say
on for as long as he. Wants, now, maybe, yeah
Maybe musk has other.

Speaker 4 (50:45):
Ideas but they haven't figured out how to spend this
yet because they know that this whole efficiency, Thing even
If Elon musk is not, popular the fact that they're
talking about saving money and making government more efficient is
popular right with most of.

Speaker 1 (51:01):
Us. Right when asked yesterday about, This trump did say he's,
fantastic he's a, patriot he can stay at The White
house as long as he'd. Like and somehow that ends
up as an ap headline that must could be headed
out Of washington after turbulent times of. DOGE i don't.
Know and also The president said this yesterday when responding

(51:23):
to that, question saying that they had found something horrible
and incredible, today but he didn't say what that.

Speaker 4 (51:30):
Was maybe we'll find out, Today maybe we.

Speaker 1 (51:33):
Will and we do know. This some heads did Roll
National Security council firings over the fallout from the signal
messaging chat. Debacle and the weird part of this story,
is And trump says had no, influence but The Laura
lumer showed up and had a meeting in The oval
office with a, president and people familiar with the matter

(51:58):
said that you urged him to purge some staffers that
she deemed insufficiently loyal to THE maga. Agenda fire somebody
over a. SIGNAL i don't see how you don't start
With Pete. Hexath, well and the duty is investigating all of,
that and This sherry news, here that huge asteroid that

(52:18):
was briefly feared to strike, us, yes now has a
four percent chance of not hitting us but hitting the.

Speaker 4 (52:23):
Moon oh, well that's not good.

Speaker 1 (52:25):
Either, no that's not good. Either, actually look out for
the tidal. Waves