Thumbs up
Greenville Republicans. Hats off to the Upstate city for attracting a national debate on Feb. 13 that will feature the 2016 Republican candidates. More.
Disclosure. A national foundation says the state’s lobbying disclosure laws are among the best in the nation. Hooray — something we do well! More.
Fees. Kudos to U.S District Judge Richard Gergel for ordering the state of South Carolina to pay more than $135,000 in legal fees to the couple who challenged the ban on same-sex marriage. It’s fitting that Attorney General Alan Wilson should get his come-uppance from the court. Many observers agreed he wasted state tax dollars on enforcing the state’s gay marriage ban after a similar ban was found unconstitutional in Virginia, which is in the same federal circuit as South Carolina. More.
In the middle
Domestic violence. It was so tough for state lawmakers to approve tougher penalties for abusers that we have a mixed view of a challenge to the law based on a question of whether it applies to same-sex and unwed couples. Is it cynical to wonder whether some saw this coming, but didn’t try to fix it? More.
Thurmond. We’re saddened to learn that S.C. Sen. Paul Thurmond, R-Charleston, announced he won’t run for election. But his reasoning is good — he and his wife have a fifth child on the way and he needs to be at home more. We’re pretty sure we’ll hear more from Thurmond.
Thumbs down
DHEC Board. Thumbs down to the board of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control for heavy handedness. If you don’t believe that business protects business, take a look at how the GOP-heavy board is questioning a $230,000 fine levied by the agency against Sonoco — a fine the company says it will pay — for an unpermitted coal ash dump. What this kind of intrusion does is to chill the agency to chill out on future fines against business. Memo to DHEC board: Put the environment first; that’s your job. More.
Fielding. We’re saddened to learn of the death of former S.C. Sen. Herbert U. Fielding, D-Charleston. A quiet but strong leader, he was the first black elected to the General Assembly after Reconstruction. Rest in peace. More.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!