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High court to hear sales tax case Wednesday
A Columbia-area dry cleaner says the state illegally collects sales tax from dry cleaners. His case will be heard by the state Supreme Court Wednesday. The State, Monday.

Clemson Extension Service to lose 125 workers
Budget cuts have forced the agricultural extension office to cut 125 workers across the state. The State, Monday.

Greenville civil rights activists plan May 17 parade over King holiday
Civil rights activists, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, plan to take to the streets for a "Day of Dignity" parade to protest Greenville County's failure to have a paid holiday to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Post and Courier/AP, Saturday. ; The State, Sunday.

Florence County marker will honor mob lynching victims
The General Assembly has approved a measure that will honor victims of mob violence with a marker in Florence County. The State, Monday.

SC Air Guard returns safely from Middle East
The Swamp Fox Squadron returned safely Sunday with no casualties after being deployed in the Iraq War. Greenville News, Monday.

Statehouse review: Bauer sets Capitol abuzz
A review of last week's Statehouse news, including Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's ticket, a flap between county council and local legislators and more. Post and Courier, Sunday.

Lawmakers' pet projects continue to get funding
Legislators continue to use one-time money to fund local projects, such as parks and baseball fields, in their districts, even though the state is in a tough budget crunch. The State, Sunday; Spartanburg Herald Journal/AP.

* Snow plans to introduce pari-mutuel betting bill
The Hemingway representative says the state's budget crisis makes betting on horse races more attractive. Georgetown Times.

Charleston lawmakers, council members mend fences
A dispute over funding of the legislative office appears to be mending following a meeting by local and state officials in Charleston. Post and Courier, Saturday.

Sanford nets $200K in first fund-raiser
The governor has about $700,000 cash on hand in his campaign war chest following his first fund-raiser while governor. The State, Sunday.

Beasley, Georgia's Barnes to receive JFK Profile in Courage Award
Former S.C. Gov. David Beasley and former Ga. Gov. Roy Barnes each will receive the JFK Profile in Courage award for their stances to remove the Confederate flag. The State/AP, Monday.

Dems, others question Kerry's willingness to speak at Bob Jones
US Sen. John Kerry said he'd speak at Bob Jones University in Greenville, but some university officials and Democratic opponents question his judgment. Post and Courier/AP, Saturday.

Hawkins dies in Spartanburg
Former state Rep. David Hawkins, father of SC Sen. John Hawkins, died Saturday after a brief illness. The State, Sunday.

* Shaw to get new deployment processing center, Hollings says. Myrtle Beach Sun News.

* Butler-Hunt square off in battle for Aiken Sheriff.
Whoever wins Tuesday's elections will immediately face budget problems. Augusta Chronicle.

Polymer Group is getting back on track
The specialty textile manufacturer in North Charleston has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization with its debt slashed in half...and more. Post and Courier, Sunday.

SPA dispute with Charleston International Ports may be scaring off business
An ongoing dispute over a terminal at the former Navy Base in Charleston may be hurting business, some say; others disagree. Post and Courier, Saturday.

* Job prospects are grim for 2003 college graduates
The Class of 2003 may have a harder time finding jobs than recent classes. Post and Courier, Monday.

MBT International buys competing music distributor
MBT International in Charleston, one of the nation's largest wholesale musical instrument dealers, has completed the purchase of a rival Midwest firm. Post and Courier, Saturday.

Blind investors could lose up to $1 million to Carolina Investors
The State Federation of the Blind may lose up to $100,000 to the Pickens County financial institution, while blind investors in general could lose up to $1 million, an attorney said. Greenville News, Saturday.

Homeowners Mortgage Enterprises to announce deal to double business
The Columbia company has signed a deal to provide mortgage services to 254 credit unions throughout North and South Carolina. The State, Saturday.

Business ties grow between Germany and the Upstate
German companies operate 66 Upstate facilities and employ more than 14,000 people. Greenville News, Sunday.

Kline Iron & Steel moving all operations to West Columbia
The company's Columbia facility will be shut down and consolidated into West Columbia. The State, Saturday; WIS TV.

$400 million Hollingsworth estate slow to go to beneficiaries.
Only 2.5 percent of the estate has gone to charities spelled out in the will of the late multimillionaire J.D. Hollingsworth. Greenville News, Monday.

* Florence School District 1 vote brought community together
A successful vote to raise taxes for education helped the community gel. Florence Morning News.

USC president's energy helps university set goals
USC President Andrew Sorenson's energy is infectious. The State, Sunday.

Children's museum of SC is close to goal
The Children's Museum of SC in Myrtle Beach is $3.1 million away from its $18 million goal. Construction may start soon. Myrtle Beach Sun News.

How Danny Molony stole $780,000 from Charleston over a decade
The Post and Courier provides an in-depth analysis of how former Charleston official Danny Molony, who pleaded guilty to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars, got away with it for a decade. Post and Courier, Sunday.

* Florence considers tax that Sumter merchants dislike
Sumter city merchants say a 2 percent hospitality tax isn't helping. Florence is considering a similar fee. Florence Morning News.

* Orangeburg tells cable company to remove lines from power poles
After three years of negotiations that have stalled, the City of Orangeburg has notified Time Warner to remove its lines from the city's 18,000 power poles. Orangeburg Times and Democrat.

* Slander case heads to court
A defamation case between a prominent Charleston law firm and a former news director at WCSC TV will head to court this week. Post and Courier, Monday.

* Downtown city club explored in Anderson
Community leaders say a feasibility study shows a downtown city club could work.. Anderson Independent Mail.

Summerville to hold election Wednesday
86-year-old Mayor Berlin Myers is running for re-election to the surprise of some. Post and Courier, Sunday.

Beaufort's budget woes cause headaches
Municipal governments in Beaufort County expect more money from reassessment, but it's causing a lot of headaches. Beaufort Gazette; Post and Courier/AP, Sunday.

Cherokee county councilman arrested on drug charges
Billy Olin Wallace has been arrested on charges of illegally buying and selling OxyContin. Spartanburg Herald Journal/AP.

Spartanburg could be asked to pay $7.5 million for dump cleanup
The city could be asked to pay for cleanup of the Arkwright dump. Spartanburg Herald Journal.

Oconee county attorney says council broke open meetings law
Oconee's county attorney said county council violated state law when it agreed to send a letter to Gov. Mark Sanford outside of a public meeting. Post and Courier/AP, Saturday; WYFF TV.

Developers keep open option on Greenville auditorium site
Developers extended an option to build a $10-$12 million office building on the site of the old Greenville Memorial Auditorium. Greenville News, Sunday.

State's education test scores show progress
"There is no magic in the slow but steady gains South Carolina students have been making on national tests such as this one. They have come through year after year of lifting expectations and adjusting classroom instruction to that higher level. That's hard work, and it takes state support in the form of adequate classroom funding. We've only come a little way out of the cellar. It's going to be devastating if state leaders allow us to fall back down so soon." The State, Saturday.

Lawmakers have four weeks to finish budget, other work
"This has been an unusual legislative session. Normally, the big ideas all emerge early, and it's a question of which ones will survive. This year, big ideas were still popping up in March, in April; a few are still being hatched. More remarkably, many of the late-bloomers have a real chance of becoming law." The State, Monday.

* Reject hog farm bill
"An ill-advised House proposal to remove local control over hog, poultry and livestock operations in South Carolina has run into trouble in the Senate with the opposition of environmentally minded senators. The bill should be conclusively rejected by the upper chamber." Georgetown Times.

* Don't reignite the nuclear arms race
"The proposal to build nuclear bunker-busters is aimed at a threat that doesn't exist. Worse, repeal of the Spratt-Furse Amendment and resumption of underground nuclear tests would further destabilize the world and could ignite a new global arms race, not only among emerging nuclear powers such as North Korea and Iran but also China, Russia, India, Pakistan and other established nuclear powers. As Spratt stated, we've been there and we don't want to go back." Rock Hill Herald.

* Dirty air poses serious threat for Charlotte area
"The Charlotte region has some of the nation's dirtiest air, according to a report from the American Lung Association. If that situation isn't reversed, it could affect not only our lungs but also our pocketbooks." Rock Hill Herald.

* Bush's political grandstanding misplaced at USC graduation
"A few graduates didn't think so, opting to protest the commencement speaker outside the ceremony. One of the students called Bush's visit "a forum for the beginning of his 2004 presidential campaign." Her parents should be proud the investment in her education is paying off, because that's what it was: stumping." Carolina Morning News.

* Drug bill faces test in S.C. Senate
"Things are looking up for the bill that could lead to more reasonable prescription costs for S.C. seniors. Sponsored by Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, and passed recently by the S.C. House, the bill would create a program for buying drugs in bulk." Myrtle Beach Sun News.

* Lift state veil of secrecy
"The state legislature will have to force the highly-secretive state Commerce Department and our local economic development officials to disclose to the public the tax breaks and other incentives they offer business and industries to invest in our state and county. " Lexington Chronicle.

New dredging bill bad for Calibogue Sound
"Those who want to dump dredge spoils into Calibogue Sound should simply continue to make their case to the state and federal regulatory agencies. If those agencies say it is OK, so be it. If they say the muck should be taken offshore, so be it. But to bring politicians with flawed "fixes" into the equation should concern everyone who loves Beaufort County's natural resources. It is the wrong approach." Hilton Head Island Packet.

Greenville's Harner sets good schools example
"They're not whining in the Greenville School District. They're cutting the budget from top to bottom, and likely to the detriment of students depending on their local public schools. Our Midlands districts are in the process of making similar, difficult choices to cut their budgets. Perhaps these cuts will be yet another sign to state lawmakers they need to act more responsibly toward our schools statewide." The State, Saturday.

Slow down on higher education reform
"Legislators are separately considering three bills that will sharply redefine the way higher education is governed in South Carolina, without any assurance that the changes will be an improvement. The proposals should be shelved until higher ed governance can be reviewed as a whole, and not in the piecemeal fashion that is now under legislative consideration." Post and Courier, Sunday.

Vitriolic attack in House is unseemly
"House rules command members to "act with decorum at all times." Violations are subject to review by the House Ethics Commission, which polices the membership. The House is an arena for public debate, not for profanity, racial taunts or combat." Post and Courier, Saturday.

Graham's bill calls for three ways to help Guard, reserves
"Allow Guard and Reserve members the option of enrolling in family health insurance coverage offered to active-duty military personnel.Adjust the retirement age structure for the Guard and Reserves so that after 20 years of service, an individual's eligible retirement age is reduced by one year for each additional two years of service. Provide tax breaks for employers who make up the difference between civilian pay and reserve pay while employees are on active duty." Greenville News, Saturday.

BMW Charity Pro-Am tournament is a success
"Despite uncooperative weather at times, this year's BMW Charity Pro-Am could set a fund- raising record once the proceeds are counted. That makes the biggest winner in this event the area charities that stand to benefit from preliminary revenue estimates projected as high as $800,000." Greenville News, Monday.

Greenville leaders move to improve local parks
"Clearly, local leaders will need to come up with some creative ideas for providing the ball fields, soccer fields, walking trails, picnic shelters and tennis courts that are expected in a growing community with a first-rate quality of life. County leaders have taken a very positive step with the $1.8 million in bond money and the intergovernmental task force." Greenville News, Sunday.

Wooten: Local anti-war protests aren't sickening
"However, Merrill Chapman, founder of "Thinking People," told me Thursday she resents and rejects "Support Our Troops" pitches casting antiwar protesters as anti-troops. She insisted that getting our soldiers "out of harm's way" would be the best "support" of all." Post and Courier, Sunday.

Ezell: Our differences need to be talked about with civility
"All the polite silences of the past decades, not talking about these matters, did not produce a consensus. Having it out can work better, but only if we listen to each other. The way to respond to shocking and outrageous statements is not with anger, which just shuts people up without changing their opinions. We need to make it safe to be wrong. We should have compassion, not anger, for racists, because they are under the sway of a confused and historically doomed ideology." Greenville News, Monday.

Smythe: Regulatory flaws are root of fiasco involving Carolina Investors
"And while no amount of regulation and investor knowledge can eliminate the problem, improvements in both areas can go a long way toward limiting the recurrence of such a tragic event in South Carolina." Greenville News, Sunday.

Henson: Rise in malpractice premiums due to insurance companies
"We need premiums kept under control, and we need them to be based upon realistic calculations and not on the few physicians responsible for the majority of claims. Insurance carriers need to understand that their first and primary duty is to pay valid claims and not to pad the pockets of CEOs and boards of directors. Reforms must be armed with teeth to assure claims are paid and the process stabilized." Spartanburg Herald Journal.

Hodge: Tort reformists base arguments on fiction
"The tort reformists would lead you to believe if caps are in place, insurance rates will go down. This is not true. " Spartanburg Herald Journal.

Nichols: Without reform, health care system in trouble
"If meaningful, significant medical liability reform is not enacted soon, this country and our state will face seriously limited access to care such as we have never known before." Spartanburg Herald Journal.

* Herbkersman: Sales tax garners support
"Right now, the numbers are running close to 97 percent in favor of the sales tax measure. This was before the hospitality industry exemption, but my guess is the numbers will continue to hold up." Carolina Morning News.

Warthen: Lt. Gov.'s job doesn't need more money
"(This is a situation that has real consequences for our state. As a result of us taxpayers subsidizing Mr. Theodore's eight-year campaign, we got four years of David Beasley and four years of Jim Hodges, instead of eight years of Joe Riley. Our state would be a better place today if it had been otherwise.)" The State, Monday.

Brack: Ship of state sails rudderless with lots of first mates
"Six months after an election dominated by bumper stickers, ads, speeches and soundbites touting leadership, the ship of the State of South Carolina feels rudderless." Statehouse Report.; Hilton Head Island Packet.