Businesses might face new fees

Repaying U.S. government could cost state employers at least $21 per worker

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina businesses may have to pay added fees of at least $21 each for the state's roughly 2 million workers after November -- fees that could accelerate yearly -- to repay federal loans for unemployment checks. Read More

Bill aimed at drivers' calls, texts

Subcommittee approves measure to forbid texting, limit use of cell phones

COLUMBIA -- This might be the year when South Carolina legislators join a national effort to ban motorists behind the wheel from sending text messages or holding a cell phone to talk. Read More

Bill to ban text-messaging and hand-held cell use while driving advances

COLUMBIA — Legislators advanced a bill today that would make it illegal in South Carolina to text-message or use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Read More

Election notices changes proposed

COLUMBIA -- The State Election Commission estimates that it would save at least $80,000 a year on legal advertisements for statewide races if it moved the notices from newspapers to the Internet, but critics fear it could result in lower voter awareness and turnout. Read More

Panel urges changes in sentencing

Prison recommended for state's violent offenders, alternative routes for others

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina prison beds should be reserved for the most violent offenders, the state's Sentencing Reform Commission recommended Tuesday. Read More

Long-term study on criminal justice system released

COLUMBIA — Details of a long anticipated study of the criminal justice system were released this morning, and the focus is on reducing recidivism, offering fair sentences, using tax dollars wisely and ensuring space in prisons for the most violent offenders. Read More

Warnings unheeded as jobless fund fell

Evolution of disaster suggests plenty of blame to go around

COLUMBIA -- As early as 2005, state leaders knew or should have known that the fund that pays out unemployment benefits was losing as much as $155 million a year and would be broke in no time. Read More

Bill excludes homosexuals

COLUMBIA -- Teens subjected to dating violence would get more protections under two bills before the state Legislature, but only if the teens are in heterosexual relationships. Read More

Criminal study due out today

Lawmakers eager to learn how public can be protected

COLUMBIA -- The results of a long-term study into alternative sentencing due out today is expected to help legislators grappling with violence in the community and a major budget crunch. Read More

Legislators grapple with violence and budget crunch

COLUMBIA — As the state faces another tough budget year, Rep. Annette Young said legislators are looking toward the results of a long-term study into alternative sentencing to help protect the community. Read More

Teen dating violence protection proposals would exclude homosexuals

COLUMBIA — Legislators are considering adding more domestic violence protection for teens, but the bills before them exclude homosexual couples. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joan Brady, R-Columbia, and Sen. Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, originally did not address sexuality. Read More

Warrantless search bill on track

Charleston's Chief Mullen touts crime-fighting effort

Urged by law enforcement leaders, state lawmakers on Thursday moved a step closer to allowing police to search people on probation and parole without a warrant. Read More

Key crimefighting bill wins subcommittee victory

A key S.C. House subcommittee agreed to advance a bill allowing warrantless searches of criminals out on probation and parole. Read More

Property tax talks heat up again

Negotiations are continuing this week between South Carolina real estate agents, who are pushing for new tax breaks for those who buy property in the state, and associations representing local governments and school districts that are concerned about revenue losses during a time of budget cuts. Read More

Harrell says state agency is a mess

New report highly critical of unemployment office

COLUMBIA -- As South Carolina neared and then entered the nation's deep recession, the state's unemployment agency was handing out millions of dollars. Read More

'Scathing' review of state unemployment agency

COLUMBIA — The Employment Security Commission allowed the fund that pays out jobless benefits to go broke while cutting checks to employees who were fired for stealing from a company, serving jail time and threatening violence. Read More

Audit due on agency that seems 'out of control'

COLUMBIA -- State lawmakers will receive an inside look today at the agency that provides unemployment checks and its alleged mismanagement during South Carolina's deep recession. Read More

In the national spotlight ... again

GOP, Dems say Bauer used poor metaphor

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer landed in the media spotlight for his comments about stray animals looking for food and breaking the cycle of government dependency. Read More

Bills could shift agency control

Proposals would make various health care departments part of next governor's Cabinet

COLUMBIA -- The authority for several state agencies that provide health care services to residents would be shifted to the next governor under several proposals before the Legislature. Read More

Gov. Sanford makes visit to Capitol Hill

Meetings with business prospect, S.C. delegation, cited in trip to D.C.

COLUMBIA -- Gov. Mark Sanford was back in the national headlines Thursday after CNN spotted him on Capitol Hill. The former congressman told CNN that he was going to catch up with some friends on the U.S. House floor, but that wasn't the only reason for his trip. Read More

Governor Sanford travels to D.C.

COLUMBIA — CNN spotted Gov. Mark Sanford on Capitol Hill this afternoon, a day after the two-term Republican delivered what is expected to be his final major address as South Carolina's chief executive. Read More

Judge screenings on hold

COLUMBIA — One of South Carolina’s top lawmakers said the state will postpone screening of judge candidates until the state Supreme Court settles legal questions about the process. The move is the most recent fallout from the controversy swirling around the reappointment of 9th Circuit Family Court Judge F.P. “Charlie” Segars-Andrews. Read More

House Democrats release their legislative priorities

COLUMBIA — New ethics standards for politicians, a push for new energy production and no new hidden fee hikes are at the top of the list in priorities for the House Democratic Caucus this session. Read More

Sincere applause for governor

Sanford reflective as he gives final major speech, apology

COLUMBIA -- Gov. Mark Sanford strode into the state House chamber Wednesday night, shaking hands like it was the campaign trail. It was his final major address as the state's chief executive -- a State of the State speech that likely will make no difference for the state or the Republican's political future. Read More

Governor delivers his final State of the State

COLUMBIA — Gov. Mark Sanford delivered his final State of the State address this evening to a joint session of the Legislature that had lawmakers on their feet every few minutes. Read More

Sanford previews his final State of the State address

Live streaming video of the State of the State at 7 p.m. and the Democratic response, courtesy of ETV. Read More

Legislator seeks to abolish agency

Commission on Higher Education targeted Read More

Bill would restrict jobless pay

House measure would deny unemployment aid to workers fired for serious on-the-job misconduct

COLUMBIA -- Sleeping, drinking or fighting on the job are among the reasons the state House wants unemployed workers denied jobless benefits in the future. The House voted 112-1 on Thursday to give key approval to a resolution that makes temporary changes to the Employment Security Commission by modifying existing law to make it clear that workers who commit serious misconduct and have been fired cannot collect unemployment checks. Read More

House approves censure of Sanford

The vote was 102-11 in favor; Approval by Senate faces uncertain future

COLUMBIA — With little debate and no fireworks, the House voted this morning to formally rebuke Gov. Mark Sanford. Read More

A tough task ahead

Budget cuts, jobs main focus as lawmakers get back to work

Opening day of legislative session. Read More

Grooms withdraws from governor's race

COLUMBIA — Bonneau Republican Sen. Larry Grooms announced late Monday on Twitter that he will end his bid for governor. Read More

Trio of lawmakers slowly built clout

Assembly's domination primary flaw, Sanford says

Gov. Mark Sanford has spent much of his seven years in office waging and losing battle after battle with the General Assembly. In that process three legislators -- call them The Three Legiteers -- have emerged as the real power brokers who run the state. Read More

Study: Children's health services affected

COLUMBIA -- Hundreds of thousands of South Carolina children are doing without health care, going hungry, coping on their own with mental health problems and lacking intervention for addictions and pregnancies. Read More

Advocacy groups study impact state budget cuts have on children

On behalf of about 65 advocacy groups led by the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, former Gov. Dick Riley announced the results of a new report “The children’s budget: behind the numbers,” which measures the impact budgets cuts have had on the services provided to children in the state. Read More

Who's in charge?

Three leading legislators hold much of the power

TV cameras focused on two men standing in Senate chambers as they prepared to announce the biggest economic investment in SC history. Read More

Jobs, balanced budget top priorities

COLUMBIA -- Nothing will be more paramount in the legislative session that starts Tuesday than finding ways to balance the budget and put residents back to work. Read More

Justices hear case about party loyalty

Ruling could have impact on future elections

COLUMBIA -- The state Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether loyalty pledges required of political party candidates blocks their ability to run as a candidate for another party. Read More

S.C. Attorney General to press fight

McMaster says favor burdens other states

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster said Monday that a plea from U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson to "call off the dogs" won't deter him from fighting a provision in the Senate's health care overhaul bill that favors Nebraska. Read More

14th attorney general joins fight against 'Cornhusker Kickback'

COLUMBIA — South Carolina Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Henry McMaster said Monday that Oklahoma’s Drew Edmondson became the 14th state attorney general and first Democrat to join McMaster’s efforts to fight the “Cornhusker Kickback.” McMaster initiated a nationwide effort to fight a provision in the U.S. Senate health care bill that favors Nebraska. Read More

S.C. high court to hear election case

Decision will clarify rights of multiple-party candidates

COLUMBIA -- The future of candidates in South Carolina running under more than one party label will be decided after state Supreme Court justices rule on a case before them this week. Read More

Court rejects case for disabled

Cuts in help for services at home will take effect

COLUMBIA -- The state Supreme Court refused Thursday to block a cut in home-based services for disabled residents that is effective today, but the high court will take a second look at the matter later this month. Read More

State Supreme Court denies disabled residents' request for emergency intervention

COLUMBIA — The state Supreme Court denied a request today to grant emergency intervention and stop cuts in home-based services that will be effective Friday for disabled residents. Read More

Families with severely disabled children fear repurcussions of state budget cuts

Christina Stewart supports a lawsuit before the state Supreme Court to restore services that the S.C. Department of Disabilities and Special Needs slashed after repeated budget cuts. Read More

Drive-by shooters would serve 25 years to life under proposed bill

As gang violence increases, Rep. Wendell Gilliard said the state needs to step up and put teeth behind the slogan: “Tough on crime.” Read More

Budget cuts endanger progress at once troubled agency

COLUMBIA — Steep budget cuts at the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice threaten the progress the agency the agency has made since it been on the losing end of 13-year lawsuit, director Bill Byars said. Read More

State treasurer plugs college savings plan

COLUMBIA — State Treasurer Converse Chellis has spent the holiday season sneaking around and stuffing stockings on televisions across the state. Read More

Clyburn touts health care reform benefits

COLUMBIA — Despite Gov. Mark Sanford’s warning about the burden federal health care reform will have on South Carolina’s budget, U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said today that the state is in for “massive savings.” Read More

Gaming legislation to be revisited

The state’s anti-gambling laws need to be updated, according to Senate leader Glenn McConnell and Rep. Jim Merrill. McConnell and Merrill have filed similar bills in each chamber to tag team the issue. Read More

Legislature aims for fix at agency

Subcommittee devising overhaul plan to address numerous problems, prevent strain on businesses

COLUMBIA -- House legislators are trying to carve out a delicate balance between overhauling the Employment Security Commission and not straining businesses that would, in turn, lay off more workers and exacerbate the agency's troubles. Read More

Banks mailing more rewards credit card offers

TheThe catch is that the cards being offered are now more likely to have annual fees. Read More