Sen. Vincent Sheheen
Projected Taxpayer Tab for Expanded 4K Program Much Larger Than Original Estimate
May 6, 2013, 8 a.m. by Kelli WestonAn advancing S.C. Senate proposal aimed at expanding the state’s full-day, 4-year-old kindergarten program could cost tens of millions more than what has been publicly disclosed, according to The Nerve’s review of a revised state estimate.
House Bill Emerges To Restructure State Government
March 6, 2013, 8 a.m. by Curt OlsonA new government-restructuring bill in the S.C. House Representatives would move state-purchasing control to the new Department of Administration under the governor and abolish the longstanding Budget and Control Board and recently created Public Employee Benefit Authority.
New State Agency Not Under Governor’s Control
March 4, 2013, 8 a.m. by Rick BrundrettDespite all the talk in the Legislature about giving the governor more control over the executive branch, South Carolina’s newest state agency is largely unaccountable to the Palmetto State’s chief executive.
Will Senate Bill to Abolish Infrastructure Bank Gain Traction?
Jan. 24, 2013, 8 a.m. by Curt OlsonDespite a Senate bill that would eliminate the controversial S.C. Transportation Infrastructure Bank as a separate state agency, that idea received no attention in a hearing Wednesday before a House budget-writing subcommittee.
Will ‘Bobby Bucks’ Taint Possible Ethics Probe?
Jan. 15, 2013, 8 a.m. by Ron AikenA review by The Nerve found that all five Republican members of the S.C House Ethics Committee, which might be called on to investigate possible campaign-violation allegations involving House Speaker Bobby Harrell, each has accepted campaign contributions from a political action committee associated with Harrell.
Midlands Senators Receive Hotel, Meal Payments Totaling Tens of Thousands
Dec. 31, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettFrom January through November this year, 11 Midlands senators received a total of nearly $98,000 in "subsistence" payments meant to cover hotel and food costs while the Legislature is in session, a review by The Nerve found.
Senators Propose Eliminating Joint Budget Hearings; Legal Opinion Sought
Dec. 20, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettThree state senators have proposed repealing a longstanding law requiring that the Legislature's budget-writing committees hold joint public hearings on the governor's proposed budget.
Legislature Again Rejects Law to Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
June 13, 2012, 6 a.m. by Eric K. WardThe S.C. General Assembly once again is tinkering with half-measures to address publicly funded lobbying, rather than driving a stake through the heart of a practice many taxpayers across the political spectrum find offensive.
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?