Sen. Chip Campsen
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.
Senators Keep Magistrates on Short Leash in 'Holdover' Status
April 11, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettDozens of S.C. magistrates are still on their bench even though their four-year terms have expired - some years ago.
DOT Restructuring: Real Change, Or Just a Facade?
March 1, 2012, 6 a.m. by Amit KumarAs separate bills aimed at restructuring the state Department of Transportation progress through the S.C. General Assembly, some legislators and outside groups are concerned the proposals would only lead to more politicized funding of transportation projects.
Power Trip: The Legislature’s Double Standards on FOIA, Ethics and Spending
Feb. 29, 2012, 6 a.m. by Eric K. WardIn South Carolina, there is one set of rules for state legislators, and another set of rules for everybody else – even state and local elected officials.
Restructuring Could Face Filibuster in Senate
Feb. 7, 2012, 1:40 p.m. by Eric K. WardSen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, told The Nerve on Monday that he and some other senators plan to help Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, lead a filibuster against the bill in an effort to defeat it in their chamber.
Senate Faces Choice on Dept. of Administration: True Change or Fig-Leaf Reform
Jan. 27, 2012, 3:42 p.m. by Eric K. WardThe S.C. Senate is debating a bill to abolish the Budget and Control Board, but will the Senate embrace real change or fig-leaf reform?
Senator Proposes Pension Changes for Lawmakers
Jan. 3, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettS.C. Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston pre-filed a bill (S. 1038) that would close the defined-benefit retirement program for the 170-member General Assembly after this year and move lawmakers into a defined-contribution plan mirroring the state Optional Retirement Program, which is like a 401k plan.