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* Lieberman speaks against flag
US Sen. Joe Lieberman on Sunday told members of one of the state's largest
black churches that the Confederate flag should be removed from Statehouse
grounds. Post
and Courier, Monday.; WCBD
TV.
Bush to speak at USC graduation
About a week following the Democratic convergence on Columbia,
President George W. Bush will be in town too - - to speak
at the USC graduation Friday. Greenville
News, Saturday.; Spartanburg
Herald Journal/AP.
New state literary map puts 327 writers in forefront
Each of the state's 46 counties is represented on a map
of South Carolina writers who have contributed significantly
to the state's literary heritage. The
State, Sunday.
League of the South preaches different kind of South
Carolina
A profile of the Rebel-flag waving group highlights how
it believes South Carolina remains a state under federal
occupation. If it had self rule, the state would be a much
different place where abortion would be illegal, taxes would
be low and there would be no public education system, group
members said. Others say it's a neo-Confederate hate group.
Greenville
News, Sunday.
State buys $1 billion in goods and services
Columbia has always been a government town, The State newspaper
writes, with more than $1 billion in goods and services
bought by state officials. The
State, Monday.
-
-
- Minority businesses have harder time cracking state's procurement
code. The
State, Monday.
Complaints against group homes rise sharply
A Greenville News probe shows complaints of physical and sexual abuse
of emotionally disturbed children at group homes have grown more than
200 percent in the last year. Greenville
News, Monday.
Erwin elected to lead South Carolina Democrats
Greenville marketing executive Joe Erwin became the SC
Democratic Party's new chairman Saturday at its state
convention. He replaces often-controversial Dick Harpootlian.
Greenville
News, Sunday.; WIS
TV. * WCBD
TV. * WHNS
TV.
Senate GOP leaders consider ending property tax for
sales tax hike
Senate Republican leaders say they're considering a plan
to end the property tax on homes and cars and substitute
an extra two cents in sales tax. Greenville
News, Saturday.
House debate on MLK holiday bill adjourned for a month
State Rep. Bob Leach asked for a month's delay in consideration
of a bill that requires all South Carolina counties to
have a holiday to remember the Rev. Martin Luther King
Jr. The bill's sponsor said the delay was fine if it allowed
counties to resolve problems on their own. Greenville
News, Saturday.
Statehouse roundup
In the past week, lawmakers voted on a Senate redistricting
plan, discussed tax increases and bickered about the cover
of the new legislative manual that honors Strom Thurmond.
Greenville
News/AP.
Hoover: Lt. Gov. Bauer tries to get a little recognition
"Republican Bauer called a news conference and with
scores of business folks and anti-taxers surrounding him,
said, "No new taxes," to a cash-strapped Legislature
officially and unofficially considering a smorgasbord
of tax increases." Greenville
News, Sunday.
Hollings tries to keep jobs in US
US Sen. Fritz Hollings has introduced a bill that would
reward manufacturers with tax incentives for keeping jobs
in the US. Greenville
News, Saturday.
Conway porch dedicated to Thurmond
A 100-year-old porch at the Peanut Warehouse in Conway
-- a place with a symbolic significance to Republicans
-- has been dedicated to former US Sen. Strom Thurmond.
The
State/wire, Monday.
* Clyburn announces scholarship program
US Rep. Jim Clyburn announced a Congressional Black Caucus scholarship
program, in association with a large healthcare company, to help 10 students
realize their college dreams. Florence
Morning News.
* Chester mayor, former mayor, newcomer
vie for mayor's job. Rock
Hill Herald.
US air commander returns home to Sumter to warm reception
Air Force Lt. Gen. T. Michael Moseley, commander of Shaw Air Force
Base's 9th Air Force and of US Central Command Air Forces, got a warm
welcome upon his return home Sunday. He said the people of the world
are better off following the Iraq war. The
State/AP, Monday.
Littlefield's business book is one of nation's top sellers
Bruce Littlefield, a West Columbia native who now lives in Greer,
has a national business bestseller in his "Use What You've
Got: And Other Business Lessons I Learned From My Mom." The
State, Monday.
Greenberg pushes bill to split research universities from Commission
on Higher Ed
MUSC's president believes the CHE is overly-bureaucratic. A bill to create
a new oversight body for the state's research universities would offer
greater, and needed, flexibility, he says. Post
and Courier, Sunday.
Prepaid tuition program has $11 million shortfall
Higher tuition costs and lower investment returns led to a shortfall in
a prepaid tuition program. Post
and Courier/AP, Saturday.
Booth to become Tri-County Tech's new president
Ronnie Booth will become the new president of Tri-County Technical College
on July 1. Greenville
News, Saturday.
Clemson provost appoints two interim deans. Spartanburg
Herald Journal.
School bus drivers defeat unionization attempt in Charleston County
Bus drivers defeated the first attempt in the state to unionize them.
Post
and Courier, Saturday.
Florence voters to go to polls on education tax increase
Florence District 1 voters will go to the polls Tuesday
to determine whether they think taxes should be raised to fund
education shortfalls. WBTW
TV.
Church pitches charter schools for Beaufort County
Charter school advocate David Church on Saturday outlined how charter
schools could be started in Beaufort County. Hilton
Head Island Packet.
Growth zaps state of 2 percent of forests
South Carolina has lost 2 percent of its forests in the last decade
due to booming growth. Greenville
News/AP, Sunday.
Coastal futures panel wants to sit down, complain to Sanford
Members of the Council on Coastal Futures complain their work to
analyze long-term solutions for the state's coast, is being undermined
by a coalition of other groups. They want to talk to the governor
about it. Post
and Courier, Saturday.
Neugent leaves Greenville's St. Francis hospital
Richard Neugent retired Friday as CEO of St. Francis hospital after 21
years of service. Greenville
News, Saturday.
New medical privacy rules causing problems
Beaufort health care professionals say new federal medical privacy rules
cause headaches and extra paperwork. Hilton
Head Island Packet.
* Union hospital budget is $500,000 short.
(scroll down) Union
Daily Times.
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Obituary
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Plaugh's last stand is today
Former Columbia city manager Leona Plaugh will make a last appeal to get
her job back today. The
State, Monday.; * WLTX
TV.
Ports Authority has hopes for Castle Pinckney
The State Ports Authority says it hopes a Civil War commission will help
restore Castle Pinckney in Charleston harbor. Post
and Courier, Monday.
* Bleachery redevelopment in Rock Hill
shows promise of jobs, more
More than a month into a study of a 22-acre former plant called the Bleachery,
consultants say redevelopment is promising. Charlotte
Observer.
* Lancaster starts "livability court."
Lancaster is following Charleston's lead to create a place where people
can settle little squabbles that will make life more livable. Charlotte
Observer.
Descendants offer glimpse of what it was like to be an Indian in South
Carolina
American Indians in the Southeast didn't live in teepees or wear giant
headdresses, Native Americans said during a presentation to Orangeburg
seniors. Post
and Courier/wire, Sunday.
North Charleston council votes to raise taxes to give employees a
pay raise
Just six weeks before an election, council voted 10-1 to raise taxes to
give city employees a pay raise. Post
and Courier, Saturday.
What celebrities like to do around Greenville
When celebrities are in town for events like BMW's charity golf tournament,
they like do do a bunch of different things. Greenville
News, Saturday.
Thousands lose power in Greenville area Friday
More than 11,000 people lost power late Friday due to storms in the
Greenville area. Greenville
News, Saturday.
Greenville assesses the needs of its park system. Greenville
News, Saturday.
Hundreds flock to 3rd Camden Cup
Polo on Sunday afternoon was on the menu at the 3rd annual Camden Cup
Sunday for hundreds of spectators. The
State, Monday.
Port Royal voters head to polls Tuesday over water/sewer
Voters will decide whether to sell its water and sewer facility to the
Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority. Carolina
Morning News.
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Letters
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Resist effort to obscure funding crisis for schools
"You will likely hear more diversions, such as the trite jab
that we're "throwing money" at educational problems with no
proof they work. Baloney. South Carolina students' academic performance
is improving -- on measures such as the SAT, the Palmetto Achievement
Challenge Test and national standardized tests such as Terra Nova."
The
State, Sunday.
-
Warthen: Good schools cost money
"The bottom line: There is nothing our state does that is more
essential than educating its children -- or more expensive, even if
you do squeeze out all the "frills." And there's only one
way you can make sure you have the money to run an excellent school
system, or even a mediocre one -- you have to dig into your pocket
and pay taxes for it. There are no magic beans." The
State, Sunday.
Bauer's bold money grab
"Thumbs Down to Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer for talking his former colleagues
in the state Senate into giving his office a $50,000 funding increase
at a time when the state is whacking away at the size of government
to cover a $1 billion hole" Greenville
News, Saturday.
-
-
* S.C. doesn't
need beefed-up lieutenant governor's office
"Looking for validation that Gov. Mark Sanford is on target in
proposing that S.C. governor and lieutenant governor candidates run
on the same ticket? Consider Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's insistence that
he needs another $50,000 to run his office next year. " Myrtle
Beach Sun News.
* Keep cabinet meetings open
"We thought the issue of whether the governor should open meetings
of his Cabinet to the public had been resolved in favor of openness.
Now, however, a bill in the state Senate threatens to muddy the water
again." Rock
Hill Herald.
* Lawmakers are ignoring needs of education
in state
"The money is there. The state could raise nearly $40 million merely
by reinstating a sales tax on carbonated beverages it eliminated a few
years ago. What's lacking is the political will to ask South Carolina
voters to pay for the quality education they want for their children.
We think that if lawmakers, instead of pandering to special interests,
asked voters if they were willing to pay a higher car tax or a few cents
more for a soda to improve education in the state, they would say yes."
Rock
Hill Herald.
* SC should have zero tolerance for
litterbugs
"South Carolina is a beautiful state. We all have a stake in keeping
it that way. Those who trash our state must be penalized for their trashy
attitudes. We need more folks in the choir who’ll say “amen”
to eradicating litter and punishing the litterers." Sumter
Item.
State shouldn't name things for living people
"And it is yet another painful reminder of why our state shouldn't
be in the business of naming roads or buildings or other public works
after living people. We hope the legislators pushing for the unnaming
(who have been active parties in the naming of public works for living
politicians) and their colleagues take note." The
State, Monday.
Federal reading grant is good gesture
"Reading First seeks to help all of America's schoolchildren read
on their grade level by the third grade. If this foundation can be laid
across our nation, it will go a long way toward ensuring the brightest
possible future for the young people learning in our 21st century public
schools." The
State, Monday.
Charleston council rightly delays assessment cap
"The majority of Charleston County Council now has agreed to delay
implementation of a proposed 15 percent across-the-board reassessment
cap until after the SC Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality
of the cap. That is the responsible course." Post
and Courier, Sunday.
Education audit needed
"A comprehensive audit could provide additional clarity on public
education funding, and recommended needed changes. The Legislature should
endorse a request to the Legislative Audit Council, recognizing that
a review won't provide the solutions for the immediate, difficult budget
cycle."
Post and Courier, Sunday.
* Vote "yes" for Florence
schools
"Let's hope voters in District One see beyond the short term and
realize the long-term damage that can be done to our schools and therefore
our community by not approving this increase. And even if the increase
is approved programs will be cut and people will lose jobs." Florence
Morning News.
Clyburn right on furling flag comments during debate
"Leading questions about the flag may resurface again tonight during
the debate, but candidates have been well advised to give the issue
short shrift." Post
and Courier, Saturday.
Senate Dems prepare to delay more Bush judicial nominees
"Senate Democrats have launched another filibuster to make sure
that a second Bush nominee never gets a vote by the full body."
Spartanburg
Herald Journal.
Arts groups need fiscal prudence in tough times
"All this underscores the likelihood that arts organizations, which
operate on close financial margins even in good times, will see even
harder times until the economy rights itself. Indeed, in explaining
earlier this year why Hilton Head Island's premier cultural arts institution,
the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, has had trouble making ends meet
for the past several years, officials pointed to the weak economy."
Hilton
Head Island Packet.
Strom Thurmond picture flap boggles
"Racial politics took on a surreal aspect Thursday when state Sen.
Robert Ford complained on the Senate floor about the state's Legislative
Manual, which honors former Sen. Strom Thurmond this year. Sen. Ford
objected to the photos of Mr. Thurmond that were coexistent with the
South's Jim Crow era and in Sen. Ford's view can be perceived as a link
with the senator's segregationist past. " Post
and Courier, Monday.
* Manual honoring Thurmond shouldn't
be disrespected
"Thurmond deserves to be honored. It’s a shame that some just
don’t seem to want to let that happen. But, then, that’s their
problem." Greenwood
Index Journal.
Herbkersman: Dredging bill resurfaces
"In my view, this whole effort is a vampire, an ugly creature from
the region of the undead." Carolina
Morning News.
* Elliott: Why S.C. 9 needs to be improved
"My real motivation is, and has always been, to get some decent
entry and exit systems built in our community to effectively and safely
serve the Grand Strand region. I will continue to promote Interstate
73, which gives the Grand Strand a major interstate connection. I will
also continue to promote the upgrading of S.C. 9 to four-lane status
as far inland and as rapidly as possible so that we can continue to
tap the Charlotte, N.C., metro-region traffic for the Grand Strand."
Myrtle
Beach Sun News.
Carpenter: Southern Connector is starting to catch on
"Sometimes new innovations take some time to catch on. The Southern
Connector is a unique, worthwhile innovation that benefits the citizens
of the Upstate and the entire state of South Carolina. Not only has
the Connector enabled other Upstate roadways to be built, but its financing
model has enabled road projects across the state to become a reality.
" Greenville
News, Sunday.
Thompson, Johnson: SC needs new energy future
"South Carolina and the rest of the country have to break the pattern
of dirty energy dependence that jeopardizes our health, our environment
and our economy. As part of the Bush administration, we hope that EPA
administrator Christie Todd Whitman learns a lesson from BMW and urges
Congress to move toward a cleaner, smarter energy future." Greenville
News, Saturday.
Gregory: Richland's Town and Country land plan is too much
"We do need better planning, no question. But the Town and Country
plan and the resultant Land Development Code are too costly and prohibitive."
The
State, Sunday.
Almeida: New privacy rules for patients may lead to abuse
"People with mental illnesses are particularly vulnerable to abuses
stemming from the unauthorized sharing of personal medical information
due to the pervasive stigma that continues to surround these illnesses."
Spartanburg
Herald Journal.
Brack: And you thought barbecue wasn't political
"A new poll called the SC Index found Republicans preferred mustard-based
barbecue sauce by a 2-1 margin over ketchup-based sauce. Democrats picked
ketchup-based sauce by 6 percentage points, according to the poll that
will be offered bimonthly by three political consulting companies."
Statehouse
Report. ; Hilton
Head Island Packet.
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