Local Government
Freedom of Information Bill Faces Rocky Road in Senate
May 9, 2012, 6 a.m. by Eric K. WardAn S.C. House-passed bill to monumentally strengthen the state’s open-government law faces a precarious road in the Senate.
Sullivan’s Island Citizens Group Still Fighting for Referendum
May 4, 2012, 5:55 a.m. by Rick BrundrettA Sullivan’s Island citizens group plans to continue pushing for a public vote on a controversial elementary school-construction project, despite inaction by the Town Council on a sought-after referendum, a group spokeswoman said this week.
Columbia’s No Free Market Haven, Some Business Owners Say
April 12, 2012, 6 a.m. by Kevin DietrichColumbia city leaders spend too much time trying to pick winners and losers, rather than letting the market determine who's got the best product, some business owners say.
Oconee Citizen Reporter: Zoning Regs Harm Property Rights
April 5, 2012, 8:12 a.m. by Kevin DietrichOconee Citizen Reporter says zoning regulations around Lake Keowee harm property rights.
Takings Bill Panned by Associations, Citizens
March 29, 2012, 5:30 a.m. by Kevin DietrichThe bill caught the attention of the Rehabilitation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Buildings Act, caught the attention of the South Carolina Bankers Association, the Mortgage Bankers Association of the Carolinas, the South Carolina Association of Realtors, and the Municipal Association of South Carolina, along with citizens.
Takings Bills Worry Property Rights Supporters
March 28, 2012, 6 a.m. by Kevin DietrichProperty rights advocates upset with takings bills.
Nerve Wins Awards in Annual Press Association Contest
March 19, 2012, 5 a.m. by Staff ReportsThe Nerve received three South Carolina Press Association awards at the association’s annual awards meeting Saturday in Folly Beach.
It's Wine and Rose at Charleston County Council meeting
March 16, 2012, 5 a.m. by Warwick JonesCharleston County Council says things are looking up.
Bill Would Loosen Lawmakers’ Control Over Veterans’ Offices
March 13, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettCounty legislative delegations could give up their long-held power over the hiring and firing of county veterans’ affairs officers under a recently introduced S.C. House bill.
Charleston Council Considers Funding Requests
March 13, 2012, 5 a.m. by Warwick JonesCharleston County Council considered funding requests from three entities at its February 24, 2012, meeting.
Obscure New Agency Would Grow Under Restructuring Bill
March 12, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettA little-known state economic development agency created two years ago but not yet in operation would grow even more under the S.C. Senate’s version of a bill creating a Department of Administration.
Citizen Organizes Rally to Push for FOIA Bill
March 9, 2012, 6 a.m. by Kevin DietrichCitizen to hold rally in support of bill that would strengthen state's FOIA law.
Three SC Entities Win Transparency Awards
March 8, 2012, 5 a.m. by Kevin DietrichAiken County, Anderson County and Pickens County School District were recognized by Sunshine Review for transparency efforts.
Sullivan's Island Residents' Voting Rights Violated?
March 5, 2012, 6:25 a.m. by Rick BrundrettIn what critics contend is an abuse of power, the town of Sullivan’s Island is suing a citizens group seeking a public vote on a controversial elementary school construction project.
Public Outcry Leads to Withdrawal of Lexington Blight Proposal
March 2, 2012, 6 a.m. by Kevin DietrichLexington County Council has withdrawn a proposed ordinance that would have dictated the appearance of private property in the county.
Charleston Council Passes Short-Term Rental Ordinance
Feb. 8, 2012, 5:55 a.m. by Marc KnappCharleston City Council gave a final reading to an ordinance creating a short-term Rental Overlay District in the city.
Charleston Council Changes Citizen Participation Guidelines
Jan. 23, 2012, 5:55 a.m. by Warwick JonesCharleston County Council citizen participation session to begin before council meeting.
Charleston Council Appears to Have Resolved I-526 Issue
Jan. 17, 2012, 5 a.m. by Warwick JonesCharleston County Council appears to have resolved I-526 issue.
Short-Term Rentals Again an Issue for Charleston Council
Jan. 12, 2012, 5:55 a.m. by Marc KnappShort-term rentals an issue for Charleston City Council.
Charleston Council Defers Business License Expansion
Jan. 9, 2012, 5:55 a.m. by Marc KnappCharleston Council defers business-license issue.
Lawmakers Move to Stop School Bond Bills
Jan. 5, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettSeveral S.C. school districts that are seeking the General Assembly’s approval to allow them to sell taxpayer-backed bonds for daily operations likely will face an even tougher fight when lawmakers return to Columbia next week.
Not all in Agreement on Plan for College of Charleston Dorm
Jan. 3, 2012, 5:55 a.m. by Warwick Jones
The Charleston County Board of Architectural Review recently gave conceptual approval for a new College of Charleston dormitory plan.
Charleston Council Moves Forward on Rental Housing Issue
Dec. 28, 2011, 5:55 a.m. by Marc Knapp
The Charleston City Council ignored the decision by the Planning Commission and voted Dec. 20 to allow short-term housing rentals in the city’s commercial-zoned districts.
Fate of I-526 Extension Project Remains Unsettled
Dec. 21, 2011, 11:28 a.m. by Warwick JonesIndividuals who turned out for the Dec. 6 Charleston County Council meeting expecting some resolution of the I-526 extension issue went away disappointed.
Charleston County Council Agrees on Redistricting Plan
Dec. 21, 2011, 5:55 a.m. by Warwick JonesCharleston Council agrees on redistricting plan.
Still No Resolution in Sight on I-526 Extension
Dec. 20, 2011, 11:21 a.m. by Warwick JonesIndividuals who turned out for the Dec. 6 Charleston County Council meeting expecting some resolution of the I-526 extension issue went away disappointed.
Still No Resolution in Sight on I-526 Extension
Dec. 20, 2011, 5:55 a.m. by Warwick JonesStill no resolution on I-526 for Charleston County Council.
Columbia Officials: No Subsidies for Controversial Wal-Mart
Dec. 16, 2011, 11:06 a.m. by Eric K. WardMidlands residents, regardless of whether they know Wal-Mart has a history of cashing in on taxpayer subsidies, might be wondering if the company aims to do so as it looks to expand into downtown Columbia.
Charleston Council Approves Plan Related to Major Development
Dec. 15, 2011, 10:48 a.m. by Warwick JonesThe Charleston County Council’s Dec. 6 meeting agenda included a request by the city of North Charleston for approval to proceed with a bond issue to be financed from the creation of Tax Increment Financing District (TIF).
Charleston Council Approves Plan Related to Major Development
Dec. 15, 2011, 5:55 a.m. by Warwick JonesThe Charleston County Council’s Dec. 6 meeting agenda included a request by the city of North Charleston for approval to proceed with a bond issue to be financed from the creation of Tax Increment Financing District.
Results of District 5 Audit Detailed
Nov. 22, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Kevin DietrichAlan Grimsley of the accounting firm of Derrick Stubbs & Stith presents his report on the Lexington Richland District 5 2010-11 fiscal year audit.
Charleston Auditor Takes Questions, Provides Few Answers
Nov. 17, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Warwick Jones
Written by: Warwick Jones
Citizen Reporter
Charleston Council Asks 'Where's the Property Tax Bills?'
Nov. 14, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Kevin DietrichCharleston Doles Out Incentives to Two Manufacturers
Sept. 29, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Kevin DietrichThe Charleston County Council Finance Committee on approved two recommendations by the Economic Development Department on Sept. 22 to support investments in manufacturing facilities in the county.
Charleston Council Still Unsure on Harbor View Road Plan
Sept. 26, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Kevin DietrichStill No Sign of $460M Incentive-Backed AQT Solar
Sept. 23, 2011, 8:45 a.m. by Rick BrundrettMore than eight months after a small, young California company announced it would locate a $460 million solar-cell manufacturing plant in Richland County, creating a purported 1,000 jobs over four years, the massive building it’s supposed to go in remains empty.
School Board Member Alleges Abuse of Power by Board Chairman
Aug. 22, 2011, 8:45 a.m. by Rick BrundrettAn outspoken Charleston County School Board member says she was targeted by the board chairman and threatened with removal from her elected position this month after she forwarded an electronic version of a meeting agenda to a constituent.
Lexington Council Member Discusses Bus System
July 14, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Talbert Black
Written by : Talbert Black
Citizen Reporter
Lexington County has a Fiscally Conservative Reputation
July 13, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Talbert Black
Written by : Talbert Black
Citizen Reporter
Lexington 1 Attributes Funding Decline to Act 388
June 28, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Talbert Black
Written by : Talbert Black
Citizen Reporter
Reasoning Behind Council Members' Stand on Budget
June 16, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Talbert Black
Written by : Talbert Black
Citizen Reporter
Only Two S.C. School Districts Don’t Post Finances
May 20, 2011, 8:30 a.m. by Kevin DietrichOnly Lexington 1 and Richland 2 have failed to post their check registers on the Internet. And Lexington 1 is in the process of purchasing a new software program and plans to upload its check registers once the new system is in place this summer.
Temperatures Rise at Charleston Redistricting Meeting
May 19, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Marc Knapp
Written by: Marc Knapp
Citizen Reporter
Higher Ed Spending Transparency Bill Likely Dead – Again
May 17, 2011, 8:30 a.m. by Eric K. WardLegislation requiring South Carolina’s state-supported colleges and universities to post their spending online looks like it might die in the General Assembly this year.
Union Pier Forum Fails to Find Common Ground
May 17, 2011, 8:25 a.m. by Warwick Jones
Written by : Warwick Jones
Citizen Reporter
A Tale of Two Charter Schools
Feb. 17, 2011, 8:30 a.m. by Eric K. WardIf ever there was a case for more school choice – and an example of roadblocks the public education establishment sets up to thwart it – Hope Academy Charter School is such an example.
The story of Hope Academy is at once a tale of a community – well – hoping; and – by contrast – an entrenched system holding fast to power and money.