COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– A conference committee is working to pave the way for the South Carolina Roads bill. During their second meeting the conference committee got to the heart of their differences with taxes being a key issue. Committee members agreed to disagree on their differences, they will be back Friday at 9 a.m. for more debate. ABC Columbia’s Gabrielle…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ A bill strengthening South Carolina’s public records law by reducing fees and wait times for documents again faces opposition in the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to advance the legislation to the Senate floor. But Sen. Margie Bright Matthews is again objecting, making passage this year unlikely. The Walterboro Democrat says she dislikes the…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Gov. Henry McMaster has signed a bill designed to stabilize South Carolina’s pension system for public workers. The Republican governor called the law signed Tuesday “just the first step of many” needed to secure long-term stability. He’s particularly disappointed it doesn’t address moving new hires to a defined contribution plan such as a 401K. Under the…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – Advocates met Tuesday to reinforce their call to add South Carolina to the list of almost 30 states that have passed comprehensive medical marijuana legislation. Lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle expressed their desire to make it happen in 2018. A House panel advanced its version of the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act, back in…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Senators are debating whether a bill raising revenue to fix South Carolina’s crumbling roadways should also cut taxes. Republican Sen. Sean Bennett proposed an amendment Wednesday that includes cutting income taxes and manufacturers’ property taxes, while increasing tax credits for students and tax deductions for officers. He changed his proposal’s start date to 2018 after senators…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) –Gov. Henry McMaster supports legislation allowing adults to openly carry a handgun in South Carolina without a permit. McMaster’s spokesman Brian Symmes said Friday the Republican governor thinks the bill is constitutional and would “sign it if it reaches his desk.” That is unlikely to happen this year. The House passed the bill 64-46 last week. Opponents…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Both chambers of the South Carolina Legislature are taking a break the week before Easter. The House and Senate started their spring break when they adjourned Thursday. When lawmakers return April 18, just 12 legislative days will remain in this year’s regular session. The General Assembly generally meets Tuesday through Thursday. Their to-do list will include…
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Advocates for the care and welfare of South Carolina’s children gathered at the State House Tuesday for Child Advocacy Day. Attorney General Alan Wilson, along with other local leaders want to put the focus on child abuse prevention, including awareness and prosecution of offenders. The goal of the Children’s Advocacy center is to bring the system together,…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The House’s roughly $8 billion plan for state taxes spends $100 million on upgrading K-12 schools, puts an additional $38 million into a per-student payment, and buys $10 million worth of school buses. The House voted 115-3 early Wednesday to send its budget proposal to the Senate. A 115-0 vote sent the accompanying “capital reserve” bill,…
COLUMBIA, SC (AP)– SC DPS website The director of South Carolina’s Department of Public Safety calls a House vote seeking his removal “disappointing.” Lawmakers voted 76-20 Tuesday to eliminate the director’s position and reduce the agency’s funding. That would effectively fire Leroy Smith if the clause remains in the budget. Democratic Rep. Russell Ott says that’s a decision for the…
