South Carolina’s new Lieutenant Governor has a bit of a thing for the Confederacy, Palmetto Public Record reported yesterday as Charleston Republican Glenn McConnell left the Senate to replace former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard. In his last speech as a senator before taking the oath of office, McConnell invoked Confederate General Robert E. Lee in discussing his decision to don the lieutenant governor’s ceremonial purple robe. McConnell has taken heat in the past for racially-tinged Civil War reenactments in the past, and Democrats criticized his spirited defense of the Confederate flag.
Now on to the headlines:
House budget: Some school districts could skip raises - House lawmakers have given teachers and school district employees a 2 percent raise — but some school districts could be exempted if they can prove they don’t have the money to give the raises, according to The State’s Adam Beam. The state Department of Education would have to sign off on districts’ pay raise exemptions for principals and below.
McConnell still might seek old seat - How comfortable McConnell will be in his new skin remains the biggest political question in the state, as he still has not closed the door on running for his old Senate seat later this spring, according to the Charleston Post & Courier’s Schuyler Kropf. The Charleston Republican said a decision on his political future remains days away, and for now he’s dedicated to learning what he can about the duties and powers of lieutenant governor.
Haley updates records policy after criticism - South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is announcing a new policy spelling out what records her office must maintain, according to the Associated Press’ Seanna Adcox. The issue arose last fall after open records requests from media outlets revealed Haley’s office routinely deleted emails.
Graham wants Yucca fees rebated to SC electricity customers - U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says South Carolina paid for something we didn’t get, and wants the federal government to give the state its money back, according to McClatchy Newspapers’ James Rosen. Graham is pushing a bill that would require the government to issue billions of dollars in rebates to electricity customers in South Carolina and 30 other states that use nuclear power for the stalled Yucca Mountain plan.
Rally supporting open records set at State House - Sunshine Week in South Carolina is being celebrated with a rally at the Statehouse supporting the Freedom of Information Act, according to the Associated Press. The rally at 4 p.m. Wednesday on the first floor of the capitol is bringing together people from across the political spectrum.
One more thing: To the political headline-writer at McClatchy Newspapers, everyone knows what you’re doing.
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Karen,The State of South Carolina needs someone who is going to take care of her needs. Not aohnter rising star in the vein of de Mint. As you know, he has done nothing for theState, putting is principals ahead of what is best for the State: re: the refusal to get the necessary money for the harbor of Charleston so it can be dredged inorder to compete with the other Eastern ports and save jobs in the State. Watch what you wish to have.