SC State House

GOP Runoff for 5th District Too Close to Call

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The runoff election for the Republican GOP nomination to replace Mick Mulvaney in South Carolina’s 5th District was too close to call Tuesday night, with the slightest or margins separating the contenders. The difference in votes between former lawmaker Ralph Norman and state legislator Tommy Pope was less than 1 percent, meaning a recount is automatic….

Lawmaker Responds to Misconduct Charges

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Former House Majority Leader Rick Quinn says he’s done nothing wrong and will fight the misconduct charges against him. Quinn becomes the third South Carolina legislator since December suspended from office amid corruption allegations. House Speaker Jay Lucas suspended Quinn on Tuesday, as required by state law, following his indictment on two counts of misconduct in…

Attorney General Weighs In on Suspended Legislators Seats

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina’s attorney general agrees the state Supreme Court can resolve questions over whether Gov. Henry McMaster should temporarily fill the seats of suspended legislators. Attorney General Alan Wilson says it’s “in the public interest” for the state’s highest court to directly take up the issue. But Wilson said in court documents filed Friday a lawsuit…

Open Records Law Bill in SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Legislation closing loopholes in South Carolina’s open records law is poised to become law, but without a key provision that would have enabled the public to get data from obstinate government agencies without hiring a lawyer. The Senate on Thursday approved a bill designed to strengthen the public’s access to government records after stripping out a…

SC Legislator Resigning

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina Rep. Harold Mitchell says he’s resigning after 12 years in the Legislature for health reasons. Local media outlets report that Mitchell was to announce his resignation Friday afternoon. The 51-year-old Spartanburg Democrat said he’s “decided to listen to the doctors and the warnings they have given me.” The former chairman of the Legislative Black…

SC Roads Committee Working on Bill to Fix Roads

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…

New Bill on SC Public Records

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…

SC Governor Signs Pension Bill

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…