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Columbia Republican to succeed McConnell as pro tempore
Sen. John Courson (R-Columbia) was elected by the Senate Tuesday to succeed Glenn McConnell as President pro tempore. McConnell had been sworn in as the new Lieutenant Governor only an hour earlier, four days after former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned to face corruption charges. Courson defeated Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Gaffney) by a [...]
How much do voters know?
The litany of contradictory opinions is enough to make the electorate look less than sophisticated.
Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell sworn in (AUDIO)
Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston) was officially sworn in this afternoon. AUDIO: McConnell takes the oath from Chief Justice Jean Toal of the SC Supreme Court While this is an historic day, McConnell’s staffers described him as “incredibly sad.” He assumes the role after last-weeks swift departure and indictment of then-Lt. Gov. Ken Ard for [...]
Mulvaney views rising job numbers with caution (AUDIO)
The number of jobs created in February signaled some encouraging news for the nation’s economy, but it is not time to announce an economic recovery just yet, says 5th District Congressman Mick Mulvaney. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that 227,000 new jobs were created in the February, while the unemployment rate remained [...]
SC jobless rate drops for 6th straight month
The state’s unemployment rate showed improvement, even with the normal drop-off of jobs after the holidays. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January was 9.3 percent, down 0.3 percentage points from December’s revised rate of 9.6 percent. While 7,900 people left the labor force, and there was a seasonal drop-off, the number of employed persons over the [...]
Ala. GOP chair: Newt needs twin wins
He warns that if Gingrich doesn't win both his state and Mississippi, he’ll be “out of the ball game.”
Newt: Mitt will take 1/3 of delegates
"That’s a pretty weak showing from the so-called ‘frontrunner,'" Gingrich said.
Legislative Update: March 13
Headlines from around the South Carolina State Capitol: (Schedule of Tuesday’s meetings) –Governor Nikki Haley challenged the House to pass $140 million in tax relief that was included in her executive budget proposal. Haley is holding a series of events across the state in an effort to rally public support. However, House Republicans are accusing the Governor [...]
Big stakes for GOP trio in South
The candidates are all facing high stakes, but for different reasons, in the Mississippi and Alabama primary contests.
Rep. Bachus battles super-PAC in toughest primary challenge of his career
Bachus has been dogged by ethics allegations and a Texas-based super-PAC that’s already taken down a fellow incumbent.
Romney could seal deal in Dixie
If his rivals can't beat him in Mississippi, it’s hard to imagine them halting his march to Tampa.
On Tap: March 13
The House will spend its second day on the FY 2013 budget Tuesday. Most of the debate will focus on budget provisos. Other than caucus meetings, there are no other official events outside the chamber. –The Blue Ribbon Committee on Shoreline Management will meet at 9:00 a.m. in Room 307 of the Gressette Building. The [...]
Report: Panetta says death penalty possible in Afghanistan shootings
Panetta said the Army staff sergeant and alleged killer would face a US military court where execution was an option.
House leaders seek to phase out corporate income taxes, end exemptions
South Carolina’s corporate income tax rate would be phased out and many sales tax exemptions would be eliminated, including two popular sales tax holidays, under a new package of bills proposed by House Republicans. Rep. Tommy Stringer (R-Greer) said a House Republican Caucus committee has finished after seven months of work and will introduce seven bills [...]
Justice blocks Texas voter ID law
Republicans blasted the Obama administration’s move as purely political and said the ID requirement is necessary to prevent voter fraud.
Santorum: Miss., Ala. 'tight contests'
He looks to lower expectations the day before.
Lawmaker plans hearings on Iran
Rep. King said American intelligence concerns escalated when Iranian-backed terrorists tried assassinating a Saudi diplomat in the United States.
Haley proposal: Phase out, combine, amend SC tax structure (AUDIO)
Gov. Nikki Haley is challenging the Legislature to set aside $140 million for tax relief in next year’s budget. As House lawmakers began their “budget week,” Haley held a press conference to make her case for reduction and restructuring some of the state’s taxes. She says her approach is different from that of her predecessor, Mark Sanford. [...]
Romney won't sign up for Medicare
As he reaches the age of eligibility, he continues his pledge to transform the program if elected.
SC Honor Flight program gets boost from electric co-ops (AUDIO)
More South Carolina World War II veterans will have the opportunity to visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC thanks to the generosity of the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina. The next flight will be in the spring on April 11. In a recent interview with Greenwood affiliate WLMA, Chairman and President [...]
Mitt wishes Mobile 'good mornin'
He makes a bid to connect to Southern voters.
Mitt: I'm weak? What about Newt?
Romney laughs off a rival's assertion that he is vulnerable.
Trump wants 2012ers to quit for Mitt
Donald Trump called the Republican presidential candidates who aren’t Mitt Romney “disgraceful” Monday
Santorum says he would beat Romney at a brokered Republican convention
Santorum on Monday predicted he would be the choice of Republicans at the national convention this summer in Tampa.
Timeline of the rise and fall of Lt. Gov. Ken Ard
Former Lieutenant Governor Ken Ard rose from relative obscurity to statewide office, to scandal, to disgrace– all in a 16-month period. Here is a brief account of how it happened. –November 3, 2010: Former Florence County councilman Ken Ard wins the election for the Lieutenant Governor’s Office as part of a Republican sweep of the [...]