Newsroom
Legislative Update: February 22
Headlines from the State Capitol (click here for a summary of Wednesday’s schedule): –The House Ways & Means Committee began drafting next year’s budget Tuesday. Before doing so, Republicans on the committee voted to suspend a law requiring 4.5 percent of the state’s General Fund to go to local governments. House leaders say it does [...]
Poll: Obama tops 50% vs. all comers
The president would lead Romney 51 to 43 percent and Santorum 52 to 43 percent.
House committee approves “Second Amentment Weekend”
The House budget-writing committee has approved renewing a tax break for gun buyers. The full committee voted 21-2 on Tuesday to insert into the state budget a sales-tax-free weekend for gun purchases on some of the busiest shopping days of the year. The “Second Amendment Weekend” would be the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. Legislators [...]
Locked in tight race, Romney, Santorum face pivotal debate
The candidates will meet onstage for the last time before Super Tuesday.
Treasury Dept. scrambled to dissuade credit agency as downgrade loomed
On the day the debt downgrade was announced, Treasury and S&P traded a flurry of emails.
Cain seeks influence in 2012 races
He's throwing his weight behind congressional candidates who he thinks will advance his platform.
Santorum steps into new debate role
The debate will mark his first appearance on the hot seat as Romney tries to take him down.
On Tap: Wednesday February 22
–Most of the attention will be focused on the budget talks in the House Ways & Means committee, but there are more than two dozen other meetings occurring on the Statehouse grounds Wednesday. SENATE: –A Senate Finance panel will be receiving budget requests from several agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Criminal Justice Academy. [...]
Consumer bureau targets overdraft fees
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking a hard look at the overdraft fees charged by banks.
Super PACs: Campaign's Godzillas
Outside groups are routinely raising or spending more than the candidates they are supporting.
Santorum defends Satan comments
"I believe in good and evil," he tells reporters.
Proposal could end legislators’ exemption from open records laws
Legislators would no longer be exempt from South Carolina’s open records law under a bill that passed a House committee Tuesday. Lawmakers are not legally required to answer a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, although most say they do. “I think that folks are kind of tired of us setting ourselves apart from others,” [...]
Obama seeks to deflect GOP criticism over escalating gas prices
Republicans are accusing the administration of exacerbating pain at the pump with policies that raise energy costs.
Legislators unlikely to fully fund local governments
As the budget debate begins in Columbia, a South Carolina House committee voted Tuesday to suspend a local government funding formula so it can be more “flexible” in crafting next year’s budget. State law requires 4.5 percent of the state General Fund to go towards counties and towns, but legislators have not reached that mark the past [...]
Sen. Cornyn ahead in money race to become Senate Republican whip
Insiders see Cornyn as the front-runner in the leadership race to replace retiring Senate GOP Whip Jon Kyl.
Official: Administration to unveil corporate tax framework on Wednesday
Even with the framework's release, most
observers are deeply skeptical that tax reform can be completed in an
election year.
For Santorum, all politics were local
Pennsylvania political insiders associate the former senator with sewers, housing, and dredging.
Mitt talks veep, bailout at town hall
The GOP hopeful abandons his efforts to maintain strict control over his campaign’s message.
Mich. lawmakers worry about Mitt
They are worried about his prospects there with only one week left before the primary.
Newt stumps in Oklahoma
He is staking his campaign on a Southern strategy.
Bachmann shifts House districts with new Minnesota congressional map
Bachmann will move districts after the state's new map placed her with Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum.
Scott won’t rule out brokered convention (AUDIO)
A new Gallup poll of registered Republicans shows Rick Santorum leading rival Mitt Romney by 10 percentage points – 36% to 26%. Former House Speaker Gingrich had the support of 13% of Republicans while 11% backed Congressman Ron Paul. first District Congressman Tim Scott, who has yet to publicly endorse a candidate for the nomination, [...]
Graham: 'Assume' Obama is Christian
Says “if he says he’s a Christian, I can accept that."
Newt Gingrich says defeating President Obama is a matter of ‘national security’
Gingrich continued his attacks on Obama’s foreign policy Tuesday, calling him “the most dangerous president in modern American history,”
Newt: Obama wants higher gas prices
He points to comments made by Steven Chu.