What's New
The House of Representatives and Senate were in session on Tuesday and Wednesday but canceled session on Thursday due to inclement weather across the State. The Senate spent most of the week continuing their discussion of S.3, the domestic violence bill, while the House debated and passed a few bills.
On Wednesday, Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal gave her final State of the Judiciary Address. She spent most of her speech touting efforts to modernize the State’s courts and thanking legislators for their commitment to the Judiciary.
The General Assembly will convene next Tuesday for a regular session.
Governor's Office
Governor Haley was in Washington this week for meetings of the National Governors Association. Upon her return, she declared a State of Emergency for most of the state due to implement weather. She additionally held a press conference criticizing the House of Representatives for proposing a $500 bond package for new workforce training programs, higher education projects and infrastructure, arguing that the bill was paramount to Washington’s habit of over-borrowing.
On Friday, the Governor attended the opening of Racleim, a recycling services provider, in Graniteville, which is expected to result in 200 jobs in the area. More information about the opening can be found here.
Top News Articles
Senators fast-track plan to fire SC State trustees
Senators are fast-tracking a proposal to fire the trustees of financially troubled South Carolina State University, with leaders of both parties saying the drastic move must occur quickly to save the school. Read more.
Senate tables attempts to remove gun bans from bill
The Senate on Tuesday defeated attempts to remove gun bans from a criminal domestic violence bill as the legislation nears a key vote. Read more.
Charleston Harbor dredging approved despite objection to paying environmental groups for conservations
A legislative review panel on Tuesday approved a plan for dredging Charleston Harbor over the objection of a lawmaker to paying a $5 million “ransom” to environmental groups for land conservation and to avoid a possible lawsuit. Read more.
Innovista research center prepares for groundbreaking
Springtime 2016 is slated to provide downtown Columbia with development bookends: pro baseball on the north end of the city center and a long-awaited opening of a key link in the future of USC’s Innovista campus. Read more.
Google to teach Boys & Girls Clubs to code
Google is teaming up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to bring a program that teaches computer science to more elementary and middle-school students across the country. Read more.
Gov. Nikki Haley slams S.C. House for borrowing plan
Gov. Nikki Haley slammed the state’s House of Representatives on Wednesday for a borrowing proposal she said would reverse years of fiscal restraint in South Carolina. Read more.
Civics test for high schoolers advances in the Senate
A bill that requires high school students to demonstrate the same basic knowledge of American history, laws and government institutions as immigrants trying to become citizens cleared its first hurdle on Wednesday. Read more.
SC Supreme Court justice touts technology gains in her last address to lawmakers
Chief Justice Jean Toal’s tenure leading the S.C. court system will be remembered most for her efforts to modernize the state’s courts, lawmakers said Wednesday. Read more.
Gov. Nikki Haley slams S.C. House for borrowing plan
Gov. Nikki Haley slammed the state’s House of Representatives on Wednesday for a borrowing proposal she said would reverse years of fiscal restraint in South Carolina. Read more.
FCC passes net neutrality, bringing tougher rules for Internet providers
Internet activists declared victory over the nation’s big cable companies Thursday, after the Federal Communications Commission voted to impose the toughest rules yet on broadband providers like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T to prevent them from creating paid fast lanes and slowing or blocking web traffic. Read more.
Google funds iPad program for MUSC Children’s Hospital in Charleston
A new iPad program at the MUSC Children’s Hospital is helping families stay connected when parents can’t be right at their children’s bedsides. Read more.
Meetings and Events
Tuesday, March 3
5:30 - 7:30 Reception for Senator Kevin L. Johnson and Karl B. Allen, Inn at USC
Wednesday, March 4
5:30 - 7:30 Reception for Representative Brian White, Palmetto Club
5:30 - 8:00 Annual Business Roundtable Reception, Pearlz Oyster Bar
Newly Introduced Legislation
ENVIRONMENTAL:
H. 3707 Putnam: SO AS TO ADOPT POLICIES THAT PRESERVE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ACT
GOVERNMENT:
H. 3722 Lucas: RELATING TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION AND ITS MEMBERSHIP
HEALTHCARE:
H. 3726 Mack: TO ENACT THE "PALMETTO COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE ACT"
JUDICIAL:
S. 485 Malloy: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CREATE THE "STUDY COMMITTEE ON RACIAL PROFILING"
TAXATION/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
H. 3725 J. E. Smith: RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN REGARD TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA ABANDONED BUILDINGS REVITALIZATION ACT
