Leading Senate lawmakers directed Norfolk Southern to explore all possible options for creating a rail yard on the southern end of the former Navy base and report back to them within a week, state Sen. Larry Grooms said after emerging from a 2 1/2-hour meeting on the topic today in Columbia. Grooms said that if Norfolk Southern cannot find a solution, he will continue to push the General Assembly to adopt a resolution preserving the state’s right to run a rail line through the base’s … [Read more...]

Pressure to find a solution to the North Charleston port and rail line debate is under a two-week window, spurred on by the likely decision to end the Statehouse session early. North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said Thursday he was "skeptical but hopeful" an agreement could be reached that kills a legislative proposal that would clear the way for rail lines through the north end of the former Navy base. … [Read more...]

Senators McConnell, Hutto, and Martin talk about Sine Die and the big issues coming up at the end of the 2010 session. … [Read more...]

Senators McConnell, Davis, Setzler, and Alexander talk about the state budget debate. … [Read more...]

South Carolina legislators may have found another way to get under Gov. Mark Sanford's skin: sticking around indefinitely. The Senate could take up a House resolution next week that allows them to return to Columbia anytime between June and January. It calls for the GOP-dominated Legislature to adjourn a couple of weeks early on May 21, but it also lets them return later to deal with vetoes, budget problems or an ongoing federal stimulus cash fight with the Republican governor. Senate … [Read more...]