Thumbs up
Obama. A big welcome to President Obama today to the Palmetto State. It’s the first time he’s visited since South Carolina voters picked him over Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary — an election that showed the nation his campaign was serious. You waited too long, Mr. President, to pay us back, but it’s good you’re finally here sharing your thoughts on building more opportunities. More.
Gas tax. Big news in the Winthrop Poll — the majority of South Carolinians are O.K. with paying more in gas taxes to fix roads and bridges. Next step: Time for members of the General Assembly to wipe the sleep from their eyes and get this one done. More.
Cleary. Hats off to Sen. Ray Cleary, R-Georgetown, for offering an $800 million road funding plan that moves the conversation forward. More.
Cosentino. Congratulations to Richard Cosentino, Lander University’s new president. More.
New directors. Congratulations also to four new state cabinet agency heads: Marcia Adams of the new Department of Administration, Sylvia Murray of the Department of Juvenile Justice, Rick Reams of the Department of Revenue and Christian Soura of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Thumbs down
Oh, hooray. Concealed weapon permit holders have doubled to more than 250,000 since 2010. Just what we need — more people packin’ heat. More.
Jenny Sanford. Months may have passed, but we’re still tired of the naked ambition by former First Lady Jenny Sanford, who is one of almost three dozen who have thrown their hat into the ring to run the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Really? Any, say, qualifications for the job? More.
S.C. State. Talk about a political see-saw. S.C. State University is in a mess. Trustees put President Thomas Elzey on administrative leave and then legislators say they’re looking at firing the whole board. And then Elzey gets a ruling from a state judge to not be fired (but be on paid leave) so he’s not fired because it looks like the board soon will be history. What’s next? More.
Haley. A mystery trip, governor? Didn’t that get your predecessor in a little trouble. Seriously, the governor should have said a bit more about her mysterious, undisclosed economic recruitment trip.
Barnwell dump. Let’s learn from our past, for a change, and not continue to take the nuclear waste that other people don’t want. Why should be take on a long-term liability for a short-term price?
Local government funding. We don’t think it’s a good idea to revise the funding sent to already strapped local governments. More.
Erskine College. You’re not looking too good on the whole gay thing. Note: We’re in the 21st century. More. And more from Erskine.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!