If you want confirmation that online top-10 lists aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on, look no further than Politico’s inclusion of Gov. Nikki Haley on a speculative list of Republicans who could still jump into the presidential race if Mitt Romney loses Michigan’s primary next week. Palmetto Public Record reported yesterday that Haley was ranked ninth on the list of 10 possible surprise candidates in 2012, which we pointed out is just flatly absurd. But then again, it’s Politico.
Now on to the headlines:
Abandoned building tax credit: Economic incentive or real estate giveaway? -Two state representatives have introduced legislation that would give a big tax cut to developers who renovate abandoned buildings in South Carolina, Palmetto Public Record reported. But the bill’s vague wording means the state could actually be incentivizing developers to demolish potentially historic buildings.
DHEC nominee derailed by filibuster - State Sen. Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, took to the podium of the state Senate for four hours Wednesday in an effort to halt the nomination of Gov. Nikki Haley’s choice to head the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control, according to The Sate’s Gina Smith. Democrats have criticized the nominee’s lack of experience in health and the environment, and her unwillingness to move to Columbia from her home in Mount Pleasant.
Haley administration will repay state for cost of out-of-state fundraising trips -Nearly a year after she took her first out-of-state campaign fundraising trip, Gov. Nikki Haley’s administration has decided it will repay the state for the governor’s security costs on such trips — which are not related to state business, according to the Spartanburg Herald Journal’s Stephen Largen. State law forbids the use of state resources to further a political campaign.
SC House postpones debate on voter registration bill - The South Carolina House voted Wednesday afternoon to postpone until next week debate on a controversial bill that would put new restrictions on individuals and groups that register people to vote,according to WSPA’s Robert Kittle. The bill would require third-party voter registration organizations, like the League of Women Voters, SC Progressive Network and NAACP, to register with the state and follow new rules for the voter registration forms they collect.
Winthrop to hold discussion on alternative presidential candidate - Winthrop University will host a panel discussion today about a nonprofit’s effort to use the Internet to provide voters with an alternative presidential candidate on November’s ballot,according to the Rock Hill Herald’s Jamie Self. Through Americans Elect, voters cast ballots for the candidate who, if the nonprofit succeeds in collecting enough signatures, will appear on the ballot in all 50 states.
One more thing: Last night’s Republican presidential debate may be the last one before someone wraps up the nomination — or Nikki will apparently jump into the race, according to Politico. You didn’t miss much in the way of game-changing revelations if you didn’t watch, but the debate did produce one of our favorite gif images from the campaign so far.
