Thumbs up
Unemployment rate. It’s great news that the state’s August unemployment rate dropped to 6 percent, down 0.4 points from July. As Gov. Nikki Haley notes, more South Carolinians are working in the state than ever before.
No drilling. Opposition continues to grow, as noted in a recent editorial by The Post and Courier, against oil drilling off of the coast of South Carolina, as a dozen coastal communities are in opposition as well as U.S. Reps. Mark Sanford and Jim Clyburn. More.
Ethics Commission: Hats off to the State Ethics Commission for not dismissing a complaint against Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster of allegations that he took $72,000 in illegal campaign donations after his 2010 gubernatorial race. McMaster’s attorney has said the lieutenant governor unintentionally took over-the-limit contributions to retire debt and hopes to settle the matter. It’s good the commission appears to be seeing the matter through, not letting politics get in the way. More.
Jackson. S.C. native Jesse Jackson says his Rainbow PUSH Coalition will expand advocacy efforts in the Palmetto State — which can’t be a bad thing and might shake up things a bit in Columbia, especially with so many people hurting in the state. More.
Harbor deepening. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved deepening of Charleston’s shipping channel to make it the deepest port on the east coast — and the last hurdle in the way of projected big growth. A new report indicated state ports generate $53 billion for the state’s economy. More.
Thumbs down
Violence against women. South Carolina needs to get off the list of having the top rate in the country for women murdered by men. We hope this year’s action by the General Assembly to toughen domestic violence rules will make a dent … but lawmakers should look at doing even more. More.
Greenville. It’s a crying shame that Greenville’s GE may not get 400 jobs because of national dickering and gridlock over the Export-Import Bank. More.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!