Official English Legislation Pre-Filed in South Carolina

Senate President Pro Tempore will again lead effort to strengthen law

South Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell pre-filed S. 3 yesterday, once again leading the effort to strengthen South Carolina’s official English law. The bill would reaffirm South Carolina’s official English law by limiting the production of printed documents in languages other than English to causes that promote education and protect public safety. Exceptions are noted in several areas, including publications that promote commerce and tourism, protect crime victims and criminal defendants, or are required by federal law. 

“We are pleased that Sen. McConnell has taken the reins on this important issue,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. “South Carolina residents have a reasonable expectation that government policy will encourage immigrants to get on the road to English learning. By requiring government agencies to limit printed translations to specific circumstances, South Carolina’s government is sending a strong message that while it will gladly offer emergency assistance, it will not provide a permanent linguistic crutch.” 

The new bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it will be heard sometime after the Senate convenes on Jan. 13, 2009. During the 2008 legislative session, Sen. McConnell introduced similar legislation, S. 857. That bill passed the Judiciary Committee and the full Senate, but was not considered by the House before the end of the session. 

Official English legislation remains as popular in South Carolina as it does throughout the nation. A 2007 Mason-Dixon poll found that 78 percent of South Carolina residents support an English as the official language policy. The survey of 625 registered voters found overwhelming support among Democrats, Republicans and Independents throughout the state. 

“Promoting English acquisition and limiting multilingual government is a beneficial idea at any time, but even more so in tight economic times,” added Mujica. “A proper official English policy will benefit English learners in the long term and take taxpayers off the hook for wasteful spending. I look forward to Senate consideration of this bill when legislators return in January.”