South Carolina State General Assembly
SC lawmakers start negotiations on nearly $11 billion budget

Jun. 15, 2021 04:34 PM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina lawmakers are hammering out differences between the House and Senate versions of the state's nearly $11 billion budget...

South Carolina Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, asks lawmakers to put a $1,200 bonus for state workers making under $50,000 a year into the budget on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. The proposal failed. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
SC House budget: Raises for public workers; no vaccine lotto

By Jeffrey Collins Jun. 09, 2021 03:22 PM EDT

FILE - This Jan. 17, 2021, file photo shows the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina's Legislature is ending its regular session on Thursday, April 13, 2021, ceremonially wrapping up its duties but expecting at least several returns later in the year to handle more work, including how to spend federal funding related to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
3% state employee raise; no vaccine lottery yet in SC budget

By Jeffrey Collins Jun. 02, 2021 06:09 PM EDT

FILE - This Jan. 17, 2021, file photo shows the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina's Legislature is ending its regular session on Thursday, April 13, 2021, ceremonially wrapping up its duties but expecting at least several returns later in the year to handle more work, including how to spend federal funding related to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
South Carolina lawmakers end formal session, to return soon

By Meg Kinnard May. 13, 2021 03:13 PM EDT

COVID liability bill heading to S Carolina governor's desk

Apr. 22, 2021 06:17 PM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House is sending a bill preventing people with COVID-19 from suing businesses and other groups to the governor's desk....

South Carolina Rep. Raye Felder, R-Fort Mill, speaks in favor of a bill that would set an April 26 deadline for students to return to in-person classes five days a week on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Columbia, S.C.. House members removed a proposal to pay teachers extra if they teach both online and in person. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
SC House passes April 26 deadline for in-person classes

By Jeffrey Collins Apr. 14, 2021 01:49 PM EDT

Open carry, hate crime bills clear deadline in SC Statehouse

By Jeffrey Collins And Michelle Liu Apr. 09, 2021 12:37 PM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Thursday marked a key deadline in the 2021 South Carolina General Assembly. It's called the crossover deadline. Bills...

SC Senate approves proposal barring mandatory COVID vaccines

Apr. 07, 2021 02:48 PM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate unanimously approved Wednesday a proposal to prevent employers from mandating COVID-19 vaccines for workers. ...

South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, talks about his proposal to sell two state-owned airplanes on Friday, March 5, 2021, in West Columbia, S.C. Massey said he has never been on the state plane and thinks selling them is the only way to prevent lawmakers from using them for improper trips. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
South Carolina senators want say in who runs election agency

By Jeffrey Collins Mar. 31, 2021 05:54 PM EDT

SC proposal would bar employers from requiring COVID vaccine

Mar. 31, 2021 02:01 PM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina lawmakers are considering a proposal to prevent employers from mandating COVID-19 vaccines for workers. ...

Lawmakers consider whether to break up public health agency

Mar. 30, 2021 11:35 AM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina lawmakers will hold hearings this spring on a bill to split up the state's sprawling public health and environmental...

South Carolina House Ways and Means Chairman Murrell Smith, R-Sumter promises to give a raise or bonus to state employees once revenues are a little more clear during a debate on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. The House was debating the state's $9.8 billion budget for the next fiscal year. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
No extra SC worker pay in budget now; but leaders promise it

By Jeffrey Collins Mar. 23, 2021 07:59 PM EDT

Budget debate begins this week in South Carolina House

Mar. 21, 2021 10:23 AM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina House members are getting ready to debate the state's nearly $10 billion spending plan for next year. ...

Potential severe storms cancel SC Senate and vaccine clinics

Mar. 17, 2021 07:37 PM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The potential for severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes Thursday has led the South Carolina Senate to not meet at all and the House...

SC House passes bill to keep churches open in emergencies

Mar. 13, 2021 02:56 PM EST
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House has approved a bill that would make sure churches and other religious organizations are treated as essential...

Beer delivery, curbside alcohol pickup bills pass SC House

Mar. 11, 2021 02:29 PM EST
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House on Thursday gave key approval to a pair of bills that make it easier to have beer and wine delivered to homes...

Editorial Roundup: South Carolina

By The Associated Press Mar. 10, 2021 03:22 PM EST
Recent editorials from South Carolina newspapers: ___ March 9 The Post and Courier on gun control...

House Ways and Means Chairman Murrell Smith, center, walks through the chamber during the House session on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. The House gave key approval to a plan to alter how COVID-19 vaccines are distributed in South Carolina. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
SC House budget writers take conservative approach to budget

By Jeffrey Collins Mar. 05, 2021 12:36 PM EST

Editorial Roundup: South Carolina

By The Associated Press Mar. 03, 2021 01:06 PM EST
Recent editorials from South Carolina newspapers: ___ March 3: The Times and Democrat on legalizing...

SC Senate committee OKs retroactive teacher raises

Mar. 02, 2021 04:21 PM EST
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina Senate committee approved Tuesday a measure to reinstate some teacher raises in this year's budget. ...