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April 22, 2009
Environmental group to dispute coal plant price
A South Carolina environmental group plans to release its analysis of Santee Cooper’s plan to build a new coal-fired power plant.
April 21, 2009
Lunch tray recycling program announced
State officials say they will start a pilot program to recycle school lunch trays and curb the amount of lunchroom trash.
Bill gives Governor Sanford control of of jobless agency
Legislators are expected to debate a bill that would move control of South Carolina’s employment agency under the governor.
April 16, 2009
Thousands protest government spending with Tea Party at the Statehouse
Thousands of South Carolinians who are fed up with federal spending rallied at the Statehouse Wednesday afternoon, one of 49 “Tax Day Tea Parties” around the state. While it’s modeled on the Boston Tea Party of 1773, this time, instead of the beverage, TEA stands for “Taxed Enough Already”.
Legislators wrapping up SC spending plan work
South Carolina legislators are expected to wrap up work on a budget that will be around $6 billion unless Gov. Mark Sanford relents on his insistence that federal stimulus cash be used to reduce state debt.
April 14, 2009
Senators return to work ready to take on budget battle
Senators return to their desks after a week off to write the budget and a separate plan to spend $350 million in federal stimulus cash that Gov. Mark Sanford insists should be used to lower state debt.
April 13, 2009
State’s use of education consultants in question
Some school-choice advocates are questioning the South Carolina Education Department’s use of consultants, as hundreds of teachers face job losses because of budget cuts.
Lawmakers call for review of how state suspends driver’s licenses
Some South Carolina lawmakers want to review how the state suspends driver’s licenses after learning a woman who was involved in a fatal crash in North Carolina had 14 speeding tickets in 10 years.
Bill would strengthen penalties for convicted childcare providers
South Carolina lawmakers are being urged to be cautious as they consider legislation that would require mandatory prison time for day care operators convicted of inflicting great bodily injury on a child.
April 09, 2009
Transportation officials want you to slow down in work zones
The Transportation Department is increasing public awareness of the need for caution while driving and working to create a nationwide program for promoting work zone safety.
S.C. stimulus oversight panel says not much work to do
The panel set up to monitor how South Carolina spends its share of the $787 billion federal stimulus law is meeting for the first time.
April 06, 2009
State officials plan to talk about spending information
Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom and the South Carolina Policy Council are holding a news conference Monday, along with Columbia Mayor Bob Coble and members of Irmo Town Council.
April 03, 2009
Gov. Mark Sanford accepts most stimulus money at deadline
Governor Mark Sanford filed the necessary paperwork Friday to claim $2.8 billion in stimulus money while maintaining his refusal to spend another $700 million.
Cigarette tax increase clears another hurdle
Lawmakers have given key approval to a bill that would raise South Carolina’s cigarette tax by 50 cents a pack to support a health insurance plan for low-income workers
SC lawmakers advance abortion bill
Lawmakers have advanced a bill requiring women in South Carolina to wait at least a day after their ultrasound before getting an abortion.
April 02, 2009
Columbia attorney withdraws from race to chair S. C. Republican Party
The State newspaper reported Thursday that Hall said he needed treatment for a heart condition.
Bill banning new landfills advances
The Senate approved the measure Wednesday, sending it to the House. The move follows public protests about mega landfills that take waste from other states.
April 01, 2009
Medicaid director says now not time to re-bid contracts
The state’s Medicaid agency plans to stick with the contractors it uses to arrange patient transportation despite the recommendation of a legislative audit
March 31, 2009
S.C. prison director says federal review is vindication for his agency
South Carolina prisons director Jon Ozmint asked the state Legislative Audit Council to review the Corrections Department, saying a preliminary review by a state legislative committee in 2007 made false allegations.
Tempers flare at Upstate gambling bill meeting
Several state senators are proposing a bill, which would allow things like poker parties in private homes, or church casino nights to raise money for good causes.
March 30, 2009
Stimulus debate forces lawmakers to draft two versions of the budget
State budget writers are drafting two versions of their spending plan to show how South Carolina will be affected by rejecting federal stimulus money.
SC’s first hydrogen fueling station set to open
A national conference on hydrogen technology opens Monday and is expected to bring about 1,000 researchers, entrepreneurs and others to Columbia.
March 27, 2009
Black leaders voice opposision over school choice plan
Black leaders voiced their opposition Thursday, two days after prominent black Sen. Robert Ford joined the Republican effort and unveiled the latest plan.
S.C. schools could have more freedom to deal with budget cuts
School districts are facing an April 15 deadline to hand out teacher contracts for next school year. The bill would extend that deadline by a month.
Court upholds state law requiring prisoners to submit DNA
A three-judge panel said Thursday that the state can require prisoners to pay a $250 processing fee to help pay for the DNA databank.
March 26, 2009
Chief Justice says infraction courts are repugnant
The Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court says what some counties and municipalities are attempting to create are in violation of the state Constitution.
Bill overhauling Employment Security gets hearing
Plans to make the state’s unemployment agency part of the governor’s Cabinet are getting another hearing.
March 25, 2009
Groups speaking out against voter-ID bill
The American Civil Liberties Union, the League of Women Voters, NAACP and AARP are among groups gathering Wednesday at the Statehouse to oppose the bill they say affects all South Carolina voters and taxpayers.
March 24, 2009
Sanford sets up stimulus cash task force to track money in S.C.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has told state agencies and local government officials that they’ll have to provide the state with details on how they’re using federal stimulus cash.
Lawmakers plan to create spending plan for rejected stimulus cash
Plans to take the federal stimulus cash Gov. Mark Sanford rejected last week are up for debate.
