To advance his image as a budget-cutter, Gov. Mark Sanford recently called on the members of the S.C. General Assembly to forgo their per-day expense and their mileage reimbursement for the extended session now underway to deal with budget issues. This is to reimburse legislators for the costs of hotels, gas, and meals while they are in Columbia on official business. I realize it's easy to take shots at legislators, but I declined to join the governor in putting that kind of pressure on a group … [Read more...]

It's a movie that House Speaker Doug Smith has seen before - a comedy turned drama with a tragic ending that leaves everyone frustrated. Giddy with the smell of cash in good times, South Carolina lawmakers send money to every corner of the state. Then come the bad times, and legislators must take back large chunks of the bounty. With the bad times comes a familiar song and dance, a tune that ends with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle singing never again. And that's where the story ends. … [Read more...]

Gov. Mark Sanford has until Thursday to decide whether to veto any of the $488 million in budget cuts the Legislature sent him Friday. The cuts in the state's $7 billion budget carve deeply into health care and college spending, with health-related programs giving up $160 million and universities and technical colleges losing $123 million. State sales tax collections have fallen short of expectations and legislators returned to Columbia on Monday to put spending back in line. House Speaker … [Read more...]

$2 million slashed from agency that monitors habitual criminals free on probation, parole South Carolina is gambling with the public's safety by cutting $2 million from the agency that monitors thousands of habitual criminals free on probation and parole, top law enforcement officials warned Thursday. Just last month, legislative leaders talked of boosting money for the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, saying the agency is seriously understaffed and needs more … [Read more...]

Senators unanimously overode the Governor's veto of a bill that would expand the use of genetic information in criminal cases. Senate President Pro Temp Glenn McConnell says the bill -- that would allow DNA samples to be taken when suspected felons are arrested -- will protect citizens. He says it will also allow people already in prison to use DNA to clear themselves. Governor Sanford calls it an invasion of privacy. The House is taking up the issue later today. … [Read more...]

When the Legislature gathers this week to slash the budget, jobs probably will be on the line They had the budget talk at Sea Grant Consortium the other day, the same one folks at every state agency in South Carolina have had recently. Rick DeVoe, the executive director, told his staff what's going on: The state Legislature has to cut nearly half a billion dollars out of the budget, and the governor has asked for a list of recommended cuts. The good news: Only 11 percent of the budget at Sea … [Read more...]

Discovery another piece of puzzle about fate of Confederate submarine For years, many people have believed the crew of the Hunley drowned about four miles off the coast of Sullivan's Island while trying to pump seawater out of its damaged submarine. It has become the most horrifying — and tragic — image of the world's first successful combat sub's final moments. But it may not have happened that way. Scientists have determined the Hunley's elaborate network of plumbing was not set to … [Read more...]